2019, a record year for anti-Semitic acts in the United States

Text by: RFI Follow

This is what emerges from the annual figures presented Tuesday by the ADL, the Anti-Defamation League, an organization combating racism and anti-Semitism which has been doing this type of counting for 40 years. Shootout in a kosher grocery store in New Jersey, knife attack at the home of a New York rabbi, the year 2019 recorded the highest level of acts of this kind since 1979 according to this organization. And 2020 is likely to be even worse, according to the ADL, which notably mentions the consequences of the current pandemic.

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A total of 2,107 acts of aggression, harassment and vandalism were recorded in 2019 according to the figures presented by the ADL. A new record after that established in 2017 where 1,986 anti-Semitic acts were recorded. New York City has the most attacks in the country, more than half. A city where a Jewish community of over a million people resides.

After a year 2018 which had marked a slight decrease, the trend is therefore on the rise again. One more proof if necessary that anti-Semitism is indeed present in the United States. And this upward trend should continue in 2020 according to the organization fighting racism and anti-Semitism. The ADL said it feared a worsening of the situation with the pandemic which "  makes the whole country nervous and fuels anxiety everywhere  ".

The deterioration of the economy, the rise in unemployment and precariousness will fuel extremism. Hence this call launched by the ADL to officials from all sides to systematically denounce any manifestation of anti-Semitism and strengthen places of worship and community places.

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• United States
• Racism

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