Antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania reached an alarming new high in 2024, with a total of 465 offenses recorded.
The figure marks an 18% increase from the previous year’s 393 incidents and represents a staggering 308% jump from 2022, which saw only 114 incidents.
According to a report released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Pennsylvania now ranks fourth in the United States for the number of antisemitic incidents.
The report indicates that the majority of recorded incidents were classified as harassment, which accounted for 72% of the total.
Vandalism made up 25%, while physical assaults constituted 3% of the incidents.
Jason Holtzman, chief of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council, emphasized that the Philadelphia area witnessed the highest concentration of antisemitic incidents, reinforcing concerns about safety in the region.
Philadelphia County led the state with 162 incidents, significantly higher than Allegheny County, which reported 84 incidents.
Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Lehigh County followed, with 38, 27, and 18 incidents respectively.
On a national scale, the ADL reported 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the country, marking a 5% increase from 2023, a 344% increase over the past five years, and an astonishing 893% over the previous decade.
This year has recorded the highest number of antisemitic incidents since ADL began tracking them in 1979.
ADL Philadelphia Regional Director Andrew Goretsky expressed his ongoing alarm about the continuous rise in antisemitic incidents since he joined the organization three years ago.
He pointed out that Pennsylvania’s record in 2024 saw an increase in assaults as well, jumping from five in 2023 to twelve in 2024, one of which involved a weapon.
The Jewish community is facing a troubling surge of harassment, threats, and physical attacks in various venues, from synagogues to educational institutions.
Goretsky noted, “Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted, and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go.”
Orthodox Jews, in particular, appear disproportionately affected, with 30% of the recorded assaults targeting this community, although fortunately, none led to fatalities this year.
Numerous vandalism incidents prominently featured Nazi iconography, with 37% of these cases in 2024 involving swastikas.
Holtzman raised concerns that these statistics most likely understate the issue of antisemitism in Pennsylvania, as many incidents go unreported.
He urged individuals to report antisemitic events to ensure they receive proper investigation, stating, “If you don’t report an incident, it’s almost like it never happened.”
For the first time in 2024, a majority of antisemitic incidents—58%—were related to Israel, although the ADL clarified that they do not conflate legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The ADL distinguished between political expressions and the danger posed by glorifying violence, denying the Holocaust, and celebrating acts of terror like the Oct. 7 attacks.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt described the persistent rise of antisemitism in the U.S. as unacceptable, emphasizing the need for solidarity in the face of this growing hate.
He urged communities to remain proud of their Jewish heritage and identities, regardless of the rise in antisemitism:
“Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted, and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go. But let’s be clear: we will remain proud of our Jewish culture, religion, and identities, and we will not be intimidated by bigots.”
The report indicated that among the antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania, 143 occurred in public spaces, 121 at Jewish institutions or schools, and 90 on college or university campuses.
Other incidents included 35 occurring in private homes, 31 in places of business, 19 in non-Jewish schools, 14 online, and 12 at Jewish-owned businesses.
The ADL combines reported incidents from various sources, including the public, law enforcement, and the media, to compile their statistics.
ADL Senior Vice President for Counter-Extremism and Intelligence Oren Segal underscored the importance of understanding the root causes of antisemitism to effectively combat it.
He stated, “The incidents documented in the audit serve as a clear reminder that silence is not an option. Good people must stand up, push back, and confront antisemitism wherever it appears.”
Despite these troubling statistics, Holtzman noted that the resilience of the Jewish community in Philadelphia is unmatched.
He reflected on the historical perseverance of Jewish people, noting that after facing numerous tragedies over centuries, there is a notable rise in participation at religious and community events.
As the community mourns the rise of antisemitism, it also finds joy and strength, demonstrating an unwavering spirit against adversity.
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