Hate crimes are up. Antisemitic rhetoric is just a start.
Last week three years ago, a Hanukkah party in Monsey, New York, ended in horrific carnage.
Fueled by a conspiratorial hatred of Jews, an attacker with a machete burst into the 100-person house party. In less than two minutes, he injured four victims. A fifth victim, a 72-yearold rabbi, died after three months in a coma. An entire community in suburban New York and Jews across the country were emotionally shaken and scarred.
Fortunately, law enforcement quickly apprehended the attacker. They discovered diaries containing extensive antisemitic views, numerous references to Adolf Hitler and Nazi culture and abundant drawings of swastikas.
Antisemitic rhetoric too often leads to antisemitic violence.
Last month, the same perverse ideology visited Bethlehem, though fortunately without violence. A Lehigh Valley tradition, Christkindlmarkt, that attracts diverse guests from far and wide was disrupted with a deranged bigot telling patrons conspiracy theories about the Jewish community.
As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, what happened in Bethlehem serves as a reminder that it is critical we talk about antisemitism, the rise in hate and a whole-of-society approach to combat it.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains annual hate crime statistics. In 2020, more than 7,700 criminal hate crime incidents were reported, about 450 more incidents than in 2019.
Manifestations of antisemitism are often the first indicators of a societal sickness. The recent global rise in hatred against Jews is a fundamental challenge to human rights and the principles of democracy envisioned by the framers of the U.S. Constitution.
Attacks targeting Blacks rose to 2,871 from 1,972. Anti-Asian hate crimes grew exponentially. In New York, there was a 223% spike. In San Francisco, a 140% increase.
The FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics report found that nearly 60% of such crimes target Jews — even though Jews represent just 2% of the American population.
Behind each of these statistics are two faces — a victim and an assailant.
As disturbing as these statistics are, it is clear that these are underreported, largely because of bureaucratic inefficiencies. Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies had almost no reporting.
The police departments in New York City and Los Angeles did not send crime information to the FBI in 2021. Of nearly 19,000 police forces, only 11,834 participated in 2021. Put differently, only around 65% of police agencies across our nation reported data.
Addressing hate in society begins with youth. In the final days of the 117th Congress, the bipartisan Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act was introduced by Rep.
Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent who represents Bucks County, and his colleagues. It will require the Department of Education to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in public elementary and secondary schools.
With the meteoric rise in hate, the Department of Homeland Security will have additional resources. U.S. Rep. Susan Wild deserves credit for championing the new federal omnibus bill and the provision that will include $305 million for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program. Houses of worship and other nonprofits can use grants for fences, cameras and other security enhancements.
Last week, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., took to the Senate floor to remind his colleagues where hate can lead. He recalled a recent visit to the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. His powerful remarks rightfully labeled antisemitism a disgusting perversion of Christianity.
Last year marked the 235th birthday of the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers were deeply familiar with the Bible and chose the opening words wisely. As our nation begins a new year, we should all have as a resolution a year more perfect, just and tranquil, with fewer violent incidents of hate.