Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Kathy Manning (D-NC), Co-Chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, today issued a joint call for renewed vigilance and better protections against hate crimes in response to an alarming new report released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) that found antisemitic attacks in the US increased by 36 percent over the past year.

            “ADL’s new report shows that antisemitic violence in the US has surged to alarming levels never before recorded—with New Jersey tragically ranking in the top three states with the most incidents in the nation,” Smith said.

            “This alarming report underscores that Jewish communities today are facing violent attacks that are unparalleled since the dark days of World War II,” said Smith.

            Among its findings, ADL’s comprehensive audit found a total of 408 antisemitic incidents were reported in New Jersey in 2022 alone—the third highest number of incidents following New York (580) and California (518). Combined with Florida (269) and Texas (211), these five states account for more than half of all antisemitic incidents across the country.

            “Jewish communities in America and around the world are under threat, facing a chilling onslaught of antisemitic hate and violence,” said Manning. “The Anti-Defamation League’s report revealed that in 2022, there were 3,697 incidents targeting Jews—averaging 10 per day and reflecting a 36 percent increase from 2021. This is the most incidents ever recorded in a single year.”

            “Antisemitism won’t go away by ignoring or wishing it away—it must be defeated,” said Smith. “Now more than ever, people of conscience must come together to defeat this pernicious hatred in all of its evil forms wherever it exists.”

###