As the Jewish holiday of Passover approaches, concerns are mounting among Jewish leaders due to the alarming rise in antisemitism. A recent report by the American Jewish Committee revealed that a staggering 94% of Jews and 74% of all U.S. adults view antisemitism as a serious issue. The Combat Antisemitism Movement highlighted a disturbing list of anti-Semitic incidents in March 2024, including the desecration of an Israeli flag and the use of fake blood to attack Jewish students. Columbia University student Eden Yadegar, the president of Students Supporting Israel, has witnessed firsthand the escalating incidents on campus, including the burning of an Israeli flag and the use of anti-Semitic slurs.
Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, expressed alarm at the extremist rhetoric and violence targeting Jews. He emphasized that such actions are not protected political speech but hate speech designed to incite violence. Deutch expressed particular concern over the fact that Hamas continues to hold 130 hostages in Gaza, echoing the biblical story of Moses and Pharaoh in the book of Exodus.
Data from the FBI indicates that anti-Jewish bias was the driving factor behind approximately 55% of religion-based hate crimes reported in 2022. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also reported a sharp increase in anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2023, with nearly half coming in the final three months of the year following an attack by Hamas on Israel.
Robert Williams, executive director of the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation and UNESCO Chair on Antisemitism and Holocaust Research, expressed deep concern over the normalization of violent rhetoric on college campuses and elsewhere. He stressed the need for political and cultural leaders to condemn such actions and promote civil dialogue. The larger solution to combating antisemitism lies in education, a long-term endeavor that requires ongoing dialogue and political will.
Williams highlighted the significance of Passover as a time for reflection on Jewish strength, resistance, and resilience. “We’re being put to a considerable test today,” he said, “but there is always hope.” As Jews around the world observe Passover, they are reminded of their long history of overcoming challenges and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity.
