Antisemitism report gives unfortunate distinction to New Jersey

The U.S. in 2023 recorded its highest ever number of antisemitic incidents, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League.

The major spike was driven in part by the surprise terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Final statistics released this month suggest there were 8,873 incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism targeting Jewish people in 2023 across the country. That's a 140% increase since 2022 and the highest tally recorded since ADL started tracking such data in 1979.

Antisemitism in New Jersey

On a per capita basis, New Jersey led the nation — 8.93 antisemitic incidents per 100,000 residents, according to the report. Vermont was next, with a rate of 6.64.

According to the report, New Jersey recorded 830 incidents last year — more than double the state's count in 2022.

RELATED: Antisemitic graffiti found in NJ high school bathroom

Close to 70% of the state's incidents were classified as harassment. For example, at a synagogue in Clifton on Oct. 7, an individual yelled, “Long live Hamas.”

There were 17 antisemitic assaults in the Garden State last year, according to the report.

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