The State of Antisemitism in America 2020
American Jewish Committee’s first-ever State of Antisemitism in America report, released on October 26, 2020, shows deep anxiety among American Jews and a disturbing lack of awareness among the general public about the severity of antisemitism in the United States. Parallel surveys of American Jews and the U.S. general public reveal widely divergent views regarding Jew-hatred in America.
Use the links below to view the report results of each survey, a comparison between the two surveys, AJC’s analysis, and AJC resources to combat antisemitism.
American Jewish Committee’s first-ever State of Antisemitism in America report, released on October 26, 2020, shows deep anxiety among American Jews and a disturbing lack of awareness among the general public about the severity of antisemitism in the United States. Parallel surveys of American Jews and the U.S. general public reveal widely divergent views regarding Jew-hatred in America.
Use the links below to view the report results of each survey, a comparison between the two surveys, AJC’s analysis, and AJC resources to combat antisemitism.
See the Results
Antisemitism has been called the world’s oldest hatred. It is a tangible threat not only to Jews, but also to the very fabric of democratic societies. As violence against Jews intensifies, the antisemitism that drives it is emanating from a host of sources—political, ethnic, and religious—on college campuses, in public discourse, on social media, and across the globe. AJC offices throughout the United States and around the world deliver that message to decisionmakers and opinion leaders daily and advocate for action to combat rising Jew-hatred.
Prompting Government Action
In the United States, AJC conceived and helped establish the congressional Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Antisemitism. Now, with more than 174 members, it crafts policies to address rising antisemitism and protect Jewish communities.
Throughout Europe and the U.S, AJC advocates for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as a crucial first step toward addressing the horrific rise in antisemitism. AJC was closely involved in the original drafting of the definition 14 years ago. The Working Definition offers eleven examples—including references to common antisemitic stereotypes and tropes, Holocaust denial, charges of dual loyalty, and the denial of Israel’s right to exist—to help law enforcement officials and others identify and combat antisemitic in all its forms.
Social Media Accountability
AJC regularly engages with social media companies at the highest levels to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate and bigotry. This engagement bears real results, as shown by Facebook’s recent announcement that it will ban Holocaust denial posts. Twitter quickly followed suit and announced it, too, would remove posts denying the Holocaust.
Coalition-Building
Developing coalitions with other faith and ethnic groups builds a united front against hate. That’s why AJC co-convened the groundbreaking Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, launched the Latino-Jewish Leadership Council, partnered with the National Urban League to create #BlackJewishUnity Week, and regularly engages with other faith and ethnic communities across America and around the world.
Public Statements
AJC’s Mayors United Against Antisemitism campaign is the largest public statement against antisemitism in history. To date, nearly 600 American and European mayors have signed AJC’s pledge to publicly address and take action against antisemitism in their jurisdictions.
Worldwide Solidarity
Following the murder of 11 Jews at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in October 2018, AJC mobilized millions of people of all faiths around its #ShowUpForShabbat initiative, packing synagogues in what became the largest-ever expression of solidarity with the American Jewish community.
After the attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, New York, AJC designated January 6, 2020 as #JewishandProud Day. Jews and allies, including members of Congress and other officials, came together to show their Jewish pride and solidarity.