Pro-Palestinian groups gathered at Harvard University to show support for Gaza, Oct. 14, 2023. Photo by Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Re “Why do media outlets love scared Jews?” by Jay Michaelson

To the editor:

In his Jan. 18 commentary, “Why do media outlets love scared Jews?,” Jay Michaelson claims that data on antisemitic incidents post-Oct. 7 “is being exaggerated” and asserts that “the ADL now characterizes any rally with anti-Zionist chants and slogans as an antisemitic incident.” While it’s true we recently updated our criteria to include the context of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, it’s important to note that we are not counting all rallies, but rather rallies that include expressions of antisemitism — which we have always done.

ADL has been tracking antisemitic incidents since 1979. In the three months since Oct. 7, we’ve counted a total of 3,291 incidents, including assault, harassment and property vandalism — a 361% increase in incidents year-over-year. ADL has also tracked 1,307 expressions of antisemitism at rallies, and these include overt antisemitic rhetoric, expressions of support for terrorism against the state of Israel, and/or anti-Zionism.

Context plays a critical role in assessing what is antisemitic. ADL has traditionally evaluated whether to include incidents on the basis of impact to Jewish individuals, groups of individuals or the Jewish community. The context of expressions, symbols and chants can change over time, and we are dedicated to using the appropriate context in every case — and the largest murder of Jews since the Holocaust is relevant context. Looking closely at the rallies post-Oct. 7, it’s clear that antisemitism has become a regular feature at many of these protests. Examples include open support for Hamas terrorism or justifying its attacks, calls to “globalize the intifada” or “by all means necessary” and “Zionism is terrorism,” or “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

These rallies have a dramatically different impact on Jewish communities that have felt demonized and harassed because of the sustained level of intense anti-Zionist street activism. We cannot discount that impact as we evaluate antisemitic incidents.

— Adam Neufeld
Senior vice president & chief impact officer, ADL

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