Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024

Executive Summary

• Each year, ADL (Anti-Defamation League) tracks incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in the United States. Since 1979, we have published this information in an annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents.
• In 2024, ADL tabulated 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States. This represents a 5% increase from the 8,873 incidents recorded in 2023, a 344% increase over the past five years and a 893% increase over the past 10 years. It is the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago.
• Incidents of vandalism and assault increased significantly in 2024. Assaults increased by 21% to 196 incidents, impacting 250 victims, and vandalism increased by 20% to 2,606 incidents. Harassment incidents remained relatively steady, with an increase of 0.26%, for a total of 6,552 incidents.
• For the first time in the history of the Audit, a majority (58%) of all incidents contained elements related to Israel or Zionism. A large portion of Israel-related antisemitic incidents occurred at or in the vicinity of anti-Israel protests. Out of over 5,000 anti-Israel rallies tracked by ADL in 2024, 2,596 involved antisemitic messaging in the form of signs, chants or speeches.
• Incidents on college and university campuses rose more steeply than those in any other location. In 2024, ADL recorded 1,694 antisemitic incidents on college campuses, which is 84% higher than in 2023. Campus incidents comprised 18% of all incidents, a larger proportion than in any previous Audit.
• While incidents decreased by 14% at Jewish institutions, they remained elevated compared to pre-October 7, 2023, levels. Jewish organizations, particularly synagogues, were targeted with hundreds of bomb threats and hundreds more general antisemitic threats. Congregants were harassed and even assaulted while at or in the vicinity of Jewish institutions, and some anti-Israel groups escalated their tactics, protesting Jewish religious and cultural institutions on dozens of occasions.
• Incidents occurred in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As in previous years, states and metropolitan areas with the largest Jewish populations continued to report the highest levels of incidents. The states with the highest levels of incidents were New York (1,437) and California (1,344).
   

Key Findings

In 2024, antisemitic incidents in the United States rose for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 9,354 total incidents—the highest level ever recorded in the 46-year history of ADL's Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. This 5% increase from the 8,873 incidents documented in 2023 demonstrates that elevated antisemitism has become a persistent reality for American Jewish communities rather than a temporary spike in the months immediately after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. These incidents occurred across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., showing that antisemitism is not confined to a particular region but represents a national challenge.

In 2024, anti-Israel animus played an unprecedented role in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. For the first time in Audit history, a majority of antisemitic incidents (58%, or 5,452 incidents) included elements related to Israel or Zionism, a trend that reflects the impact of geopolitics on domestic antisemitism. ADL does not consider criticism of Israel or general anti-Israel activism to be antisemitic and does not count such incidents in the Audit. But increasingly, extreme actors in the anti-Israel space have incorporated antisemitic rhetoric into their activism, and it has become commonplace for perpetrators across the political spectrum to voice hatred of Israel or conspiracy theories about the state in a range of antisemitic attacks. Thousands of antisemitic incidents occurred at or in the vicinity of anti-Israel rallies, many of which were organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and other anti-Israel groups. More than half of all antisemitic vandalism incidents included references to Israel or Zionism. Hundreds of incidents emerged from white supremacist groups’ anti-Israel activity, with Patriot Front racking up the most mentions.

Also in 2024, college campuses became epicenters of antisemitic activity, with an 84% increase in incidents (1,694 total), comprising nearly 1 in 5 of all reported cases nationwide.

Themes and Trends

Israel-Related Incidents
 

Activity at or surrounding anti-Israel protests frequently crossed the line into antisemitism through a range of concerning expressions. Protesters displayed justification or glorification of antisemitic violence, framing terror attacks against Israel and the Jewish community as justified "resistance," while others openly displayed support for U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by wearing Hamas headbands and waving Hezbollah and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) flags. Protesters celebrated the anniversary of Hamas’s antisemitic October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel and glorified the terrorist group leaders who masterminded the attack. Many protests featured rhetoric widely interpreted as a call to destroy Israel through slogans like "Death to Israel" or "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," alongside rhetoric explicitly marginalizing Jews with a connection to Israel, such as, "We don't want no Zionists here." Classic antisemitic tropes were also often included and contained imagery referencing blood libel, conspiracy theories about "Zionist media" manipulation and equating swastikas with Stars of David — a direct attack on Jewish religious symbols.

The frequent appearance of these themes at demonstrations represents a concerning trend where rhetoric with antisemitic elements has moved from fringe anti-Israel spaces into more visible public spaces. This normalization creates environments where Jewish individuals face increasing harassment, as documented in the location-specific incidents detailed in subsequent sections about campuses and Jewish institutions.

A majority (58%) of incidents in the Audit contained references to Israel or Zionism. Opposition to Israel or Zionism appeared as themes in virtually every type of incident tracked in the Audit, from anonymous bomb threats against synagogues that included the call to “Globalize the intifada,” to a right-wing extremist ranting about "[setting] our people free of Zionist occupation" at a city council meeting, to an individual shouting, “Free Palestine” at an Orthodox Jewish person in a public area before assaulting them.

In 2024, antisemitic rhetoric expressed during anti-Israel protests constituted the single largest category of Israel-related incidents, accounting for 48% of all such incidents. While many anti-Israel rallies did not contain antisemitic elements and were not represented in the Audit, about half (2,596) of the more than 5,000 such protests tracked by ADL contained antisemitic messaging in the form of signs, chants or speeches. At each rally that ADL examined, all expressions of antisemitism were tallied as a single incident regardless of how often they were expressed. The largest proportion occurred in public areas (1,270) followed by college and university campuses (930), and a significant amount targeted Jewish institutions (86) or business establishments (262). Extreme actors within the organized anti-Israel protest movement continued to escalate their tactics, directly targeting members of the Jewish community with antisemitic harassment and vandalizing Jewish and other institutions with threatening antisemitic messages. Jewish communities in northern New Jersey, for example, faced a wave of anti-Israel antisemitic activity, as protesters held multiple demonstrations directly outside synagogues in Teaneck. On March 10, 2024, protesters harassed Jewish individuals who were attending an event inside a synagogue by spraying red paint at them and shouting, “Go back to Europe” and “Baby killers.”

Leading groups in the anti-Israel movement played a significant role in mainstreaming these messages. Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) were the two most active organizers or co-sponsors of protests where antisemitic incidents occurred. Combined, they were involved in over 50% (roughly 1,300) of the protests in this category. Other frequent organizers included the anti-Zionist groups Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the ANSWER Coalition, the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

White Supremacist Activity
 

White supremacist groups distributed antisemitic propaganda in 962 incidents, down 17% from 2023, across 47 states and the District of Columbia in 2024. While the distribution of white supremacist propaganda in the form of posters, fliers, stickers and banners remained very high, fewer white supremacist groups used the tactic in 2024. Some have been discouraged by new legislation banning certain forms of propaganda. Other groups—known for propaganda distributions—dissolved in 2024, including the National Justice Party (NJP), the Nationalist Social Club and the Loyal White Knights.

Antisemitism remained a key theme for white supremacist propaganda in 2024. Patriot Front, which remains the most prolific distributor of white supremacist propaganda, also led antisemitic propaganda distributions. For example, the group frequently distributed red, white and blue fliers and stencils with the phrase “No Zionists in Government. We serve one Nation.” ADL also tracked 47 antisemitic white supremacist events, down from 49 in 2023.

Though less active in 2024 than 2023, the antisemitic Goyim Defense League (GDL) continued to distribute propaganda that cast aspersions on Jews and spread antisemitic myths and conspiracy theories in hopes of turning Americans against Jewish people. GDL’s 2024 propaganda included baseless charges about Jewish power, blamed Jews for 9/11 and accused Jews of blood libel and pedophilia. Themes related to Israel and Zionists also remained popular in white supremacist propaganda, but the sentiment was not as prevalent as it was immediately following the October 7, 2023, attack.

Where Antisemitism Occurs

Understanding where antisemitic incidents take place provides critical insight into how different environments contribute to—or fail to protect against—antisemitic activity. The 2024 data reveals a significant redistribution of incident locations compared to previous years. College campuses emerged as a primary concern, with a dramatic 84% increase in incidents.

This transformation represents a fundamental shift in the antisemitism landscape, as higher education settings now surpass traditional hotspots like K-12 schools and residential areas, where incidents decreased significantly (26% and 37%, respectively). Simultaneously, public areas saw a 19% increase, indicating antisemitism is increasingly visible in community spaces where Jews have less institutional protection. While security measures may be improving at Jewish institutions, Jews are experiencing hatred in their daily environments—on campuses, in public spaces and at businesses—where they may be more vulnerable and isolated.

In the sections that follow, we analyze how antisemitism adapts to different environments, revealing distinct patterns that together form a comprehensive picture of today's antisemitic landscape.

Geographic Hotspots

Antisemitic incidents took place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in 2024, demonstrating the nationwide nature of this problem. While no region was immune, the distribution reveals significant concentrations and concerning patterns. States with the largest Jewish populations continued to report the highest number of incidents, with New York (1,437 incidents), California (1,344) and New Jersey (719) leading the count. However, the geographic distribution shows antisemitism is not limited to areas with large Jewish populations. States like Colorado (279 incidents) and Virginia (266) all recorded significant totals despite having comparatively smaller Jewish communities.

Targeting of Jewish Institutions

While incidents targeting Jewish institutions decreased from 2023's unprecedented surge, incidents remain alarmingly high by historical standards, representing twice the annual average recorded in the five years before October 7, 2023. Synagogues faced hundreds of bomb threats over the course of the year, which included messages such as: “You Jews will pay for your crimes, we will end your lives," as well as anti-Israel messages. These threats often occurred as part of large sprees within a short period of time, such as when similar email threats were sent from the same address to over 100 synagogues in just two days (January 2-3, 2024). In some cases, individuals were apprehended, such as in the case of a man who threatened a synagogue in Miami, Florida, in September 2024. But in many other cases, perpetrators have yet to be brought to justice. Hillel, the premier Jewish on-campus organization that supports Jewish life at hundreds of colleges across the United States and abroad, was the target of antisemitic protests and harassment on numerous campuses nationwide throughout the year.

Although harassment cases at Jewish institutions decreased, vandalism and assault at Jewish institutions increased significantly, underscoring a heightened threat environment regarding Jewish physical security. For example, in August 2024, a member of the Jewish community was stabbed near the headquarters of Chabad (an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic organization) in Brooklyn, New York, by an individual who yelled, "Free Palestine" and asked the victim if he wanted to die. The sustained targeting of synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish schools continues to stoke fear among American Jews who simply want to participate in Jewish communal life.

Campus Crisis

College campuses have become an epicenter of American antisemitism, as the sites of close to a fifth of all 2024 incidents. Antisemitic incidents on college campuses reached their highest point for the year in the spring of 2024, from mid-April through mid-May, which coincided with activity related to the anti-Israel encampment movement on dozens of campuses nationwide. Incidents at or near encampments often contained antisemitic messages, and participants recited antisemitic slogans. For example, at an anti-Israel encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), protesters displayed signs that included: "Death 2 Zionism," "Israelis are native 2 hell" and "Long live the intifada.” Chalk depicting a Star of David with the words "step here" was also drawn on the ground in the encampment. At the University of California, Berkeley, protesters occupied and vandalized a condemned building and left behind messages including: "Zionism is Nazism," "For the martyrs," "Intifada" and multiple instances of imagery equating a Star of David with a swastika.

Perhaps even more concerning, Jewish students and community members sometimes experienced direct antisemitic harassment or assault in the vicinity of encampments. At DePaul University, one individual was told, "Go back to Poland," near the encampment. Another individual was harassed by someone who stated they hoped they would be beheaded and that "[you] and the Jewish people like [you] should leave America." At Yale University, a Jewish student wearing a Star of David necklace was allegedly jabbed in the eye by a protester waving a Palestinian flag.

While antisemitic incidents related to anti-Israel protests on campus peaked in the spring, ADL continued to track such incidents over the summer and in the fall semester. A notable spike in Israel-related antisemitic campus activity also occurred around the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror attack, when some student groups used the occasion to celebrate the antisemitic violence. For example, on the anniversary of October 7 at the University of Oregon, a speaker said, “On this day, one year ago, the Palestinian people bravely launched a coordinated effort against the Zionist state of Israel…They have every right to fight back, they have every right to rebel. We must make a clear and resounding call for the victory of the Palestinian Resistance and the fall of Zionism.”

Antisemitism on campuses was not confined to the organized anti-Israel protest movement. For example, classrooms, campus property and students’ dorm rooms were vandalized with swastikas. At Portland State University in Oregon, Jewish students and staff were heckled on campus with slurs such as “Fucking kike,” “Zionist pig” and “Dirty Jew.” Around the University of Pittsburgh, a Jewish student was assaulted by a group of individuals who used antisemitic language after they noticed he was wearing a Star of David necklace. This pervasive antisemitism has transformed American higher education from a space of learning and growth into one where many Jewish students face hostility, exclusion and sometimes physical danger because of their identity or their beliefs.

In addition to the 1,694 college campus incidents, ADL tracked 17 incidents at campus Chabad Centers and 86 incidents at campus Hillels. This was also a marked increase from 2023, when ADL recorded 8 incidents at campus Chabads and 61 incidents at campus Hillels. Hillels and campus Chabad Centers are categorized as Jewish institutions for the purposes of the Audit.

K-12 Schools

While antisemitic incidents in non-Jewish K-12 schools decreased in 2024, these environments continue to expose Jewish children to concerning levels of hate. The severity of these incidents range from intimidation, such as a student commenting, "Dirty little Jew…You should be put in a concentration camp," to physical violence, including a student being hit on the head with a glass bottle after their classmate stated, “I am going to beat you up you fucking Jew," reflecting how antisemitism continues to impact some of the most vulnerable Jewish community members.

Given the insidious nature of bullying, compounded by the fact that many children may not feel empowered to report their experiences, the actual number of school-based antisemitic incidents was likely significantly higher than the data reported in the Audit.

Business Establishments and Jewish-Owned Businesses

Antisemitic incidents targeting commercial spaces increased in 2024. This trend demonstrates how antisemitism increasingly extends beyond religious and educational settings into everyday spaces, impacting Jewish business owners and employees in their workplaces and creating additional barriers to Jewish participation in ordinary economic life. Employees and customers at Jewish-owned businesses were targeted for their perceived connection to Israel. For example, at a kosher restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, an individual harassed visibly Jewish patrons, saying, "You guys are killing babies," "Jewish people are evil," "You guys are trying to kill Trump" and "Hitler was onto something." Other Jewish people were targeted while working at or visiting non-Jewish businesses, such as in Castle Rock, Colorado, where a cashier whispered, "Fucking kike," while ringing up a customer wearing a Star of David necklace.

These incidents force practical dilemmas for Jewish business owners beyond the immediate harassment: whether to display Jewish symbols or Israeli products, how much to invest in security and even whether to identify publicly as Jewish-owned. The financial and psychological toll of these calculations represents a hidden cost of antisemitism that extends well beyond the documented incidents themselves.

Top 10 States

Below is a detailed breakdown of the 10 states with the highest numbers of antisemitic incidents in 2024, which together account for 64% of all incidents nationwide. Each state accordion provides specific incident totals, per capita rates, incident types and notable trends to help understand the distinct regional manifestations of antisemitism across America.

Methodology

The ADL Audit of Antisemitic Incidents is comprised of both criminal and non-criminal incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault against individuals and groups as reported to ADL by victims, law enforcement, the media and partner organizations. It is not a public opinion poll or an effort to catalog every expression of antisemitism.

Incidents are defined as vandalism of property, or as harassment or assault on individuals or groups, where either 1) circumstances indicate anti-Jewish animus on the part of the perpetrator, or 2) a reasonable person or group of people could plausibly conclude that they have been victimized due to their Jewish identity. Vandalism of Jewish cultural, educational, or religious institutions, as well as cemeteries, is generally included. Cases of robbery or theft are generally not included unless evidence of specific antisemitic animus is present.

Online Content: The Audit includes cases where individuals or groups were harassed online via antisemitic content in direct messages, on listservs or in social media settings where they would have the reasonable expectation of not being subjected to antisemitism. The Audit does not attempt to assess the total amount of antisemitism online.

Credibility and tabulation: ADL carefully examines the credibility of all reported incidents, including obtaining independent verification when possible. Each antisemitic action is counted only once, regardless of how many times it has been reported to ADL. ADL counts certain “sprees” of incidents only once. For example, if antisemitic fliers from an extremist group are distributed to several homes in one city over the course of a weekend, this is considered one incident for the purpose of the Audit. Similarly, if multiple expressions of antisemitism took place at a single public event, those expressions are only counted as one incident.

Israel and Zionism:

• ADL is careful to not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism. Legitimate political protest, support for Palestinian rights or expressions of opposition to Israeli policies are not included in the Audit. ADL’s approach to Israel-related expressions comports with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
• Since October 7, 2023, ADL began to include in the Audit certain expressions of opposition to Zionism, as well as support for violent resistance against Israel or Zionists that could be perceived as supporting terrorism or attacks on Jews, Israelis or Zionists.
• When they occur during public activism (such as at protests), in confrontations between individuals or in the form of vandalism (such as graffiti), these expressions constitute an implicit attack on the great majority of American Jews who view a relationship with Israel to be an integral part of their religious, cultural and/or social identities. Such rhetoric can be traumatizing to many American Jews and has led to their exclusion from some spaces simply because of that element of how they define and express their Jewishness.
• Physical scuffles or verbal insults between pro- and anti-Israel protestors are generally not included in the Audit unless the context suggests an antisemitic or anti-Zionist motivation for the assaults.
• The Audit includes all cases of picketing of Jewish religious or cultural institutions for their perceived or real support for Israel. It does not include protests outside pro-Israel political activist groups or Israeli embassies/consulates unless those protests incorporate anti-Zionism, support for terrorism, or classic antisemitic tropes.
• Burning or desecrating Israeli flags is not included in the Audit.

Swastikas: The appearance of swastikas, which are generally interpreted by Jews to be symbols of antisemitic hatred, is included in the Audit. However, swastikas are not included in circumstances when they appear to be targeting a different minority group. Swastikas used as a means of political protest on non-Israel-related issues are also not included. For example, in 2021, some Americans used swastikas, as well as references to Hitler and Nazi-era politics, in protests of COVID-19 public health measures and mask mandates; those incidents are not generally included in the Audit unless there is other evidence of antisemitic animus.

The Audit excludes the following types of incidents:

• Antisemitic activities or statements that take place in private venues (e.g., at a private meeting) or in a manner that requires potential victims to “opt-in” to access them (e.g., by going to websites where unmoderated discussion occurs, looking at specific individuals’ social media pages, etc.)
• Instances of discrimination (e.g., a Jewish employee not receiving an accommodation for Rosh Hashanah), unless the discrimination is accompanied by verbal harassment as described above.
• General expressions of white supremacy or other hateful ideologies, unless those expressions include overt antisemitic elements.

Data Sources:

• The majority of the incidents included in the Audit are reported to ADL directly by Jewish victims via our online form, email or phone message.
• ADL Center on Extremism researchers also monitor media reports and other online spaces for credible reports of antisemitic incidents and extremist activity.
• In 2021, the Audit began incorporating reports of antisemitic incidents from other Jewish organizations with whom ADL has established partnerships. In 2024 those organizations included BBYO, Community Security Initiative (CSI), Community Security Service (CSS), Chabad, Hillel International, Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC), AEPi, Jewish Federations of North America, Secure Community Network (SCN), Union of Reform Judaism, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Israeli American Council (IAC). We thank these organizations for their ongoing efforts to help encourage reporting of antisemitic incidents. All incidents are assessed by ADL for credibility and are deduplicated before being included in the Audit. Incident totals reported in the ADL Audit may differ from totals announced by partner agencies due to methodological differences pertaining to how incidents are defined and tabulated.
• ADL appreciates the assistance of the over 300 law enforcement agencies that have shared information about antisemitic incidents and criminal activity with us since 2020.

Policy Recommendations

Federal

• Co-sponsor and Pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA): Support the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA) to ensure the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) continues to have the tools it needs to address the alarming rise in antisemitism on college and university campuses and K-12. For the past six years, OCR has been directed to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism—including its 11 contemporary examples—when assessing the antisemitic intent behind potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The IHRA Working Definition is the preeminent global standard, in use by more than 40 countries, more than 35 U.S. states, and both Democratic and Republican administrations. However, OCR’s current consideration of this definition relies on Executive action and could be undone by any administration. AAA would make its consideration permanent, which would help ensure Jewish students receive the same civil rights protections as all other students. With antisemitism surging nationwide, ADL urges Congress to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act.
• Fortify and Grow the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): As antisemitic attacks on communal institutions continue to surge, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is more urgent than ever. This program is a cornerstone of our nation’s defense against threats targeting at-risk institutions. NSGP funding has been a lifeline for synagogues, schools, and community centers—fortifying them against hate and violence. The program has already saved lives: during the hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker used NSGP-funded security training to outmaneuver an armed terrorist. In Memphis, Tennessee, NSGP-funded security upgrades helped prevent a shooting at Margolin Hebrew Academy. Amid federal grant freezes and threats of across-the-board funding cuts, this program is at risk. No one should have to fear for their safety while practicing their faith. ADL urges Congress to fortify and grow NSGP.

State

• Create State Strategies to Counter Antisemitism: In response to the shocking and ongoing surge in antisemitism across the country, every state should adopt a comprehensive State Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. State leaders must publicly commit to combating antisemitism and take action to increase awareness of this threat, improve safety and security for Jewish communities, reverse the normalization of antisemitism, and build cross-community solidarity. The increased danger to the American Jewish community underscores the pressing need for targeted state-specific plans to safeguard Jewish communities and address the spread of hate. ADL urges every state government to adopt a comprehensive State Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
• Education Oversight and Legislation: As antisemitic incidents continue to rise in both K-12 and higher education settings, state and local elected leaders must establish comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure safe and supportive environments for all students. State governments must adopt clear frameworks for addressing antisemitism in schools, provide resources for reporting and responding to incidents, and promote education and awareness to prevent the spread of hate. ADL urges state and local governments to implement policies to protect Jewish students from antisemitic threats and foster educational environments where all students can thrive and learn.

Donor Acknowledgements

The work of ADL’s Center on Extremism is supported, in part, through the generosity of:  

Anonymous (3)
The ADL Lewy Family Institute for Combatting Antisemitism
Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
Joyce and Irving Goldman Family Foundation
Lillian and Larry Goodman Family Foundations
The Morningstar Foundation
Quadrivium Foundation
The Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation