Congress: Act Against Rising Antisemitism
Urge your Members of Congress to take proactive and necessary action against increasing anti-Jewish hate
The State of Antisemitism in America 2023
The State of
Antisemitism in America
2023
Antisemitism in America
2023
American Jewish Committee’s annual State of Antisemitism in America Report assesses and compares Jewish and general population perceptions of, and experiences with, antisemitism in the United States. The release of the data, from surveys conducted in Fall of 2023, comes just months after the atrocities of October 7, when Hamas terrorists carried out the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust.
Based on one of the largest-ever combined national surveys of American Jews and the U.S. general public by a Jewish organization, the findings of AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report demonstrates the deeply disturbing impact this rising hatred has on America’s Jewish community and all of society.
As AJC CEO Ted Deutch said, “If, before October 7, antisemitism was a slow-burning fire, it has now become a five-alarm emergency that requires all of us to douse its flames.”
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
Big Picture: Antisemitism is a longstanding, serious threat in the U.S. — one that has only increased since October 7.
- 63% of American Jews say the status of Jews in the U.S. is less secure compared to one year ago. In 2022, this number was 41%. In 2021, it was 31%.
- 78% of American Jews who heard about the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel say the attacks made them feel less safe as a Jewish person in the U.S.
- 46% of American Jews say they altered their behavior out of fear of antisemitism. In 2022, this number was 38% — a significant eight percentage point jump in one year.
- Jews and the general public agree: Anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism. 85% of American Jews and 84% of the general public believe the statement “Israel has no right to exist” — the foundational core of anti-Zionism — is antisemitic.
- 24% of current or recent college students say they felt uncomfortable or unsafe at a campus event because they are Jewish.
- 1 in 4 current or recent college students say they have avoided wearing, carrying, or displaying things that would identify them as Jewish out of fear of antisemitism.
Antisemitism Online and on Social Media
- More than 1 in 5 American Jews who experienced antisemitism online (22%) reported that the online incident(s) made them feel physically threatened.
- 62% of American Jews reported seeing or hearing antisemitism online or on social media in the past 12 months.
Where the American General Public Stands
- 74% of U.S. adults say antisemitism is a problem in the United States today, compared to 68% who said so in 2022, and 60% in 2021. The general population is becoming more aware of the problem.
- 56% of U.S. adults say antisemitism has increased over the past five years, compared to 47% who said the same in 2022, and 44% in 2021.
- 92% of U.S. adults believe “Antisemitism affects society as a whole; everyone is responsible for combating it.” Everyone is responsible for combating antisemitism.
Click here for a demographic breakdown of The State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report by U.S. Census region and age.
"With nearly half of American Jews reporting they changed their behavior in the past year because of fear of antisemitism, we need to take action—now."
- AJC CEO Ted Deutch
HOW AJC IS
COMBATING ANTISEMITISM
COMBATING ANTISEMITISM
Antisemitism has been called the world’s oldest hatred; its ability to shift and change into new forms makes it extremely difficult to curb. It is a tangible threat not only to Jews, but also to the very fabric of democratic societies. As violence and rhetoric against Jews intensifies, the antisemitism that drives it is emanating from a host of sources on social media, in public discourse, on college campuses, and across the globe. AJC offices throughout the U.S. and around the world confront antisemitism by mobilizing policymakers to act, educating all sectors of society to address Jew-hatred, and empowering Jews to be strong and resilient.
AJC’s Task Force to Implement the U.S. National Strategy
AJC is leading the effort to implement the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which includes dozens of AJC's recommendations and closely resembles our Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America.
Following the unveiling of the National Strategy in May 2023, a move long advocated for by AJC, AJC CEO Ted Deutch announced the formation of the AJC Task Force to Implement the U.S. National Strategy, which is dedicated to ensuring the action items outlined in the U.S. National Strategy are developed. Learn more here.
Translate Hate
To stop antisemitism, we first have to understand it. By calling it out online and in the real world, we can recognize antisemitic words, phrases, ideas, and caricatures for what they really are—hatred, bigotry, discrimination. AJC’s recently updated Translate Hate glossary is an online tool with 59 antisemitic words and phrases to help the public identify and understand anti-Jewish hate. Our glossary also includes antisemitic phrases that have re-emerged and morphed in the aftermath of the October 7. By learning about antisemitism, we can properly address and combat it. Learn more with AJC’s glossary here.
Empowering Young American Jews
AJC’s Alexander Young Leadership Department empowers high school and college students and young professionals to advocate on behalf of critical domestic and global issues facing the Jewish community, including antisemitism. Learn more about the incredible work of the Alexander Young Leadership Department here.
Prompting Government Action
In the U.S., AJC played a pivotal role in the creation of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which took dozens of recommendations from AJC’s Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America. AJC also helped establish the congressional Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Antisemitism in the House and Senate. Now, with 213 Senators and Representatives, it raises awareness and advances policies to address rising antisemitism and protect Jewish communities.
Throughout Europe and the U.S, AJC advocates for the adoption and implementation 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. In February 2023, AJC convened a meeting at the White House with the U.S. interagency task force and antisemitism envoys from Europe and Latin America. The envoys shared best practices from building their own national strategies. Convening this meeting was just one of the ways AJC assisted the U.S. government in developing its National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
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 announcement that it will ban Holocaust denial posts. X/Twitter quickly followed suit and announced it, too, would remove posts denying the Holocaust. Now, AJC is urging social media companies to counter the explosion of online antisemitism and rampant denial of Hamas' massacre by adopting key recommendations from AJC’s Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America.
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, and regularly engages with other faith and ethnic communities across America and around the world.
