Mainstreaming Hate Against Jews
Shocking ADL Report: 1 in 4 Americans Say Antisemitic Attacks Are “Understandable”
A new ADL report reveals that 24% of Americans find recent antisemitic attacks “understandable,” highlighting a dangerous normalization of anti-Jewish violence. The findings, tied to incidents targeting Jewish figures and events, expose persistent antisemitic tropes and the risks of inflammatory protest rhetoric.
A recent report from the Anti-Defamation League’s Center for Antisemitism Research reveals a troubling trend: 24% of Americans view recent antisemitic attacks as “understandable.” The findings follow three high-profile incidents: an April arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home during Passover, the May fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and a June firebombing of a hostage solidarity rally in Boulder, Colorado. Each attack was perpetrated by individuals citing Palestinian causes, with suspects in the D.C. and Boulder incidents shouting “Free Palestine” and the Shapiro attacker referencing “injustices to the people of Palestine.”
“It’s unacceptable that one-quarter of Americans find this unspeakable violence understandable or justified,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “This is an alarming sign of how antisemitic narratives are creeping into the mainstream.” While 60% of Americans recognize antisemitism as a serious issue and 75% support stronger government action, the survey of over 1,000 Americans exposes deep divisions. Notably, 24% believe the attacks were “staged” to garner sympathy for Israel, with half of those who find the violence understandable endorsing this “false flag” theory. Additionally, 15% called the attacks “necessary,” and 13% deemed them “justified.”
The report highlights how pro-Palestinian slogans like “Globalize the Intifada” and “From the River to the Sea” are perceived as dangerous, with 68% of respondents linking them to increased violence against Jews. Even 50% of those sympathetic to pro-Palestinian protests acknowledged their potential to incite harm. The survey also uncovered persistent anti-Semitic tropes: 30% believe Jews wield excessive influence in politics and media, and 27% hold American Jews accountable for Israel’s actions.
“This isn’t just a fringe issue,” Greenblatt warned. “These beliefs aren’t coming from the shadows anymore, they’re seeping into everyday conversations, political spaces, and public discourse.” The ADL recorded 10,000 anti-Semitic incidents since October 7, 2023, a 200% surge, with 58% tied to anti-Zionism or Israel-related rhetoric. Posts on X echoed alarm, with one user stating, “24% justifying attacks on Jews is a wake-up call for America.”