ADL audit finds antisemitic assaults reach record levels in 2025
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 6
ADL audit finds antisemitic assaults reach record levels in 2025
13 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 6
The report counted 203 assaults, up from 196 in 2024, and identified three deaths, the first US Jewish hate-crime killings since 2019.
Overall antisemitic incidents fell to 6,274 from more than 9,300 in 2024, while bomb threats at Jewish institutions dropped sharply and campus incidents also declined.
Experts said the findings broadly match post-October 2023 hate-crime trends, though critics dispute ADL's inclusion of some Israel- and Zionism-related expressions as antisemitic.
While overall antisemitic incidents fell, why did lethal attacks against American Jews surge to a historic and deadly new high?
Did the 66% drop in campus antisemitism signal true progress, or a shift to more dangerous, less visible threats?
With online hate at a record high, how can digital threats be stopped before they escalate into real-world deadly violence?
Deadly Antisemitic Violence Escalates Sharply in 2025 Despite 33% Drop in Total Incidents
Overview
In 2025, antisemitic violence in the U.S. surged dramatically, with attacks averaging 17 per day and resulting in three deaths—the first fatalities since 2019. This rise was fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict starting in late 2023, which blurred lines between political criticism and antisemitism, spreading hateful rhetoric that normalized violence. Extremist groups exploited political polarization and online misinformation, causing a fivefold increase in terrorist plots. Orthodox Jews, identifiable by their attire, faced disproportionate targeting, especially in New York. Despite a 33% overall decline in antisemitic incidents driven by fewer campus events and harassment, physical assaults and weapon-related attacks reached record highs. In response, advocacy groups pushed for stronger security funding and legislation, while communities adapted to heightened threats amid growing fear and resilience.