Is Anti-Semitism on the Rise?

Anti-Semitic attacks appear to be increasing following a series of incidents in northern New Jersey, “including the attempted murder of a rabbi after incendiary devices were thrown at his home above a synagogue,” according to CNN. The attempt on the rabbi’s life was the fourth reported incident in the past month in Bergen County. Synagogues and temples have been the main targets through vandalism and arson.

In November, as Care2′s Kristina Chew reported, cars in a Jewish New York neighborhood were set on fire and a Hasidic man was attacked in Williamsburg. Additionally, windows were smashed at five stores owned by Jewish merchants in Middlesex County.

Officials are unwilling to draw conclusions about why anti-Semitic incidences have spiked in the Northeast, but “according to a November survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 15% of Americans hold deeply anti-Semitic views; that figure stood at 12% in the 2009 survey.”

Some speculate that the rise in anti-Semitism may be linked to the recessed economy and the long-held perception of Jews as miserly bankers and businessmen who hold more than their share of the wealth.

Whatever the cause, the hatred and violence needs to stop. Many synagogues and temples in the Northeast have requested more police presence in their neighborhoods in hopes of deterring would-be vandals.

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Read more: anti semitism, jewish, politics, rabbi, religion, synagogue, temple, vandalism, violence

Photo credit: Emmanuel Dyan

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Hermon M.

4:06AM PST on Feb 4, 2012

Izrael's present policy is on the wrong track.This will not bring peace not only in the region but worldwide too.

send a green star

doug s.

2:21PM PST on Feb 3, 2012

israel continues to cause trouble, and people continue not liking it. any country founded on religion is unhealthy... israel is no different. fanatics arguing over who has the best imaginary friend...

http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-israel-warns-us-jews-iran-could-strike-153636488--abc-news.html

again, while i am disgusted by israel's behavior shown in this article, i am saddened by the reactions israel is causing, shown in the comments below the article...

John D.

1:51AM PST on Jan 31, 2012

cont'd

[...]

"And you can write that I am disgrace to humanity, I don't mind, on the contrary. Let's make a deal: I will do all I can to expel the Arabs from here, I will do all I can to increase anti-Semitism, and you will write poems and essays about the misery of the Arabs and be prepared to absorb the Yids I will force to flee to this country and teach them to be a light unto the gentiles. How about it?"

1:49AM PST on Jan 31, 2012

Doug S

There is a wealth of literature and speeches showing that the Zionists actually encourage and engender anti-semitism. Have you seen this? Ariel Sharon speaks to Amos Oz. I have abridged this as I don't think the whole interview will fit in.

"Let me tell me [sic] what is the most important thing, the sweetest fruit of the war in Lebanon: It is that now they don't just hate Israel. Thanks to us, they now also hate all those Feinschmecker Jews in Paris, London, New York, Frankfurt and Montreal, in all their holes. At last they hate all these nice Yids, who say they are different from us, that they are not Israeli thugs, that they are different Jews, clean and decent. Just like the assimilated Jew in Vienna and Berlin begged the anti-Semite not to confuse him with the screaming, stinking Ostjude, who had smuggled himself into that cultural environment out of the dirty ghettos of Ukraine and Poland. It won't help them, those clean Yids, just as it did not help them in Vienna and Berlin. Let them shout that they condemn Israel, that they are all right, that they did not want and don't want to hurt a fly, that they always prefer being slaughtered to fighting, that they have taken it upon themselves to teach the gentiles how to be good Christians by always turning the other cheek. It won't do them any good. Now they are getting it there because of us, and I am telling you, it is a pleasure to watch."

[...]

"And you can write that I am disgrace to humanity, I don't

12:16AM PST on Jan 31, 2012

earlier, i stated that israel's policies have been a major cause of anti-semitism. i got quite a bit of unpleasant replies to this notion. well, for all you doubters, check out this article. not so much the article itself, but comments from its readers, which follow...

http://news.yahoo.com/america-war-iran-within-one-235400262.html

VinnieSICK N.

10:58PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

If people must Hate people, let them hate the ones who run Stop signs and kill innocent families or the ones who abuse animals. Not hate someone because they are a different color of skin or religion. That is wrong!!

Cheryl B.

4:18PM PST on Jan 27, 2012

Hate and violence often begin right in the home. Children see, hear, and often do just what their parents say and do. The economy may have something to do with why some people want to take out their frustration and anger on someone - anyone.

The violence against Jewish businesses, homes, places of worship, cemeteries and people must stop! America and wherever this is happening stands for much more than this totally unacceptable behaviour, and there should be zero tolerance for those who show violence against anyone.

Michaela P.

8:47AM PST on Jan 27, 2012

Jon I so agree with you, there are bad and good people.....who cares about their nationality....I don't, we all bleed the same, we all need air to breath and the list goes on. I know some Jews who are actually very nice people. Yes a businessman with great personality.

Jon H.

8:35AM PST on Jan 27, 2012

les L. my dear friend, I agree with you 100% and tried to send you a green star but have already do so. Cyber Golden Star to you my friend.

8:34AM PST on Jan 27, 2012

Their has to be a huge misunerstanding in communication about Jews. It has gone too far. You have your good Jews and you have your bad Jews just like in different cultures of races. So Sad.