Antisemitism Watch

NYC Hate Crime Indictment in Stabbings
Global Antisemitism Surges to Multi-Decade Highs
New Bipartisan House Caucus Targets Campus Antisemitism

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Antisemitism Watch

Antisemitism Watch is a daily monitoring and analysis program tracking antisemitism worldwide — incidents, rhetoric, policy, and institutional responses — r

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You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

Prosecutors have indicted Raul Morales on multiple counts of attempted murder and assault as hate crimes. The charges stem from two separate attacks on July 23rd on New York City's Upper West Side, near synagogues. According to prosecutors and police, Morales allegedly attacked a 57-year-old man, stabbing him in the back. Approximately 12 minutes later, he is accused of attacking Moshe Grunhaus, a 50-year-old Jewish man wearing a kippah, stabbing him in the chest. Both victims were hospitalized. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that evidence, including antisemitic text messages found on Morales's phone, indicates antisemitism was a motivating factor.

Worldwide, antisemitic incidents have reached multi-decade highs. A joint report from the J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism found that 2025 was the deadliest year for antisemitic attacks outside Israel in decades, with approximately 20 people killed. In the United States, the Anti-Defamation League's audits show over 9,300 antisemitic incidents recorded in 2024. Subsequent analysis for 2025 indicates that while harassment and vandalism may have eased slightly, assaults involving deadly weapons have risen.

FBI data indicates that anti-Jewish hate crimes now comprise 63 percent of all religion-based hate crimes in the U.S. One analysis links this surge to rhetoric from the 'radical socialist left,' citing examples such as Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling the Jewish political advocacy group AIPAC 'monsters.' The Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, has also reportedly made anti-Zionism a litmus test for membership. Streamer Hasan Piker is quoted as saying, 'eventually someone’s going to come around and take action' against American Jews supporting Israel. Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed previously dismissed an attack on a synagogue as 'hurt people hurt people,' though he has since apologized.

In media commentary, Cenk Uygur controversially argued that 'Antisemite 'Often Means a Very Moral and Kind Person',' in an attempt to redefine the term. Separately, Tucker Carlson hosted a segment where his guest questioned the necessity of algebra, calling it 'fake math,' and used the phrase 'goy slaves.' The author of one report argues this promotes ignorance and links Carlson's rhetoric to antisemitic tropes.

In the UK, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has warned that new sanctions targeting Israeli settlements risk fueling antisemitism and increasing concerns about the safety of British Jews. Rabbi Mirvis described the measures as 'political flag bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric' that could contribute to a more hostile environment for British Jews.

In Canada, a critical assessment highlights institutional failure in addressing a pervasive rise in antisemitism, with Jews targeted in over 70 percent of all religion-motivated hate crimes in 2025. A report commissioned by the Department of Canadian Heritage found nearly 96 percent of Jewish post-secondary students surveyed had experienced or witnessed at least one antisemitic incident in the preceding 12 months. In response to persistent antisemitism in K-12 schools, Jewish organizations have released a 'Jewish Students' Bill of Rights.'

Meanwhile, an academic debate is ongoing. Author David Bernstein has refuted claims by academics Jonathan Feingold and Isaac Kamola that he equated diversity efforts with white nationalism or antisemitism, clarifying that his critique focused on specific 'racialist' theories.

Ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, security measures are being significantly bolstered. In New York City, the NYPD is increasing its presence at synagogues and Jewish institutions, with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch noting that while there are no specific credible threats, the department remains vigilant due to a 9% rise in antisemitic hate crimes compared to last year. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the administration's commitment to ensuring safety during these sacred days. In Pittsburgh, the Jewish Federation is collaborating with local law enforcement and the FBI to strengthen security at community locations, expanding patrols and security measures as a heightened threat environment is acknowledged.

On the policy front, a bipartisan 'Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses' caucus has been launched in the U.S. House by Representatives Elise Stefanik and Josh Gottheimer. The group aims to coordinate congressional oversight and push universities to enforce anti-discrimination laws. Internationally, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon has launched an initiative involving dozens of countries to combat rising antisemitism, urging it be prioritized in the selection of the next UN Secretary-General. In Toronto, two mayoral candidates, Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander, presented strategies to combat antisemitism at a community forum, amid criticism over Mayor Olivia Chow's absence. Toronto Police Service data shows 82 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes in 2025 targeted Jews.

The threat of Islamist extremism in the United States shows a resurgence, with a notable uptick in incidents and foiled plots since 2024. The ADL Center on Extremism has identified 142 such incidents between 2002 and the first half of 2026, with numbers rising from three in 2023 to eight in 2024, five in 2025, and five already recorded as of September 8, 2026. The report highlights that lone perpetrators were responsible for all four fatal Islamist extremist incidents in the U.S. between 2025 and 2026.

In legal and accountability news, the Boulder JCC has issued a statement regarding a settlement between the ADL and the Boulder Valley School District concerning antisemitism and ADL incident reporting procedures.

On a note of community resilience, the iconic Carnegie Deli is set to reopen next week, offering a piece of New York's culinary heritage a comeback. Additionally, commentary on the broadcast program 'Like It Or Not' has addressed the challenge of finding resilience amid rising antisemitism.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

📚 Sources

Sources:
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