Antisemitic Incidents Jumped 54% in RI in 2021, According to New Report

Antisemitic Incidents Jumped 54% in RI in 2021, According to New Report

Antisemitic incidents increased by 42%  in the New England Region (covering Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) in 2021, with a total of 155 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). The increase in antisemitic incidents in the region outpaced the 34 percent increase in such incidents nationally. Nationally, ADL recorded 2,717 antisemitic incidents in 2021, the highest total since ADL started tracking such data in 1979. 

ADL’s annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, issued today, recorded a total of 108 antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts last year, a 48% increase from 2020 incidents (73). Incidents of vandalism increased by 66 percent (58 incidents in 2021, compared to 35 in 2020). Incidents of harassment increased by 26 % (48 incidents in 2021, compared to 38 in 2021). Massachusetts also recorded two assaults; no assaults were recorded in 2020. 

Rhode Island's total cases were lower, but the percentage increase was higher. Cases in RI jumped from 11 in 2020 to 17 in 2021 -- a 54% increase.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Antisemitic incidents remain at a historical high in the state. Throughout the other states in ADL’s New England region, 15 in Vermont (up from 8 in 2020), 7 in New Hampshire (down from 9 in 2020), and 6 in Maine (down from 7 in 2020).

The majority of 2021 antisemitic incidents reported to ADL New England were incidents of harassment (78), followed by incidents of vandalism (75). Vandalism and harassment incidents across the region increased by 42 % and 39 %, respectively.   

“The alarming increase in antisemitic incidents in the region and across the country should be deeply concerning to all,” said Robert Trestan ADL New England Regional Director. “The numbers increased in nearly every category, including harassment and vandalism. The message that the data is sending is crystal clear: antisemitism remains a pervasive ill in our society that must be stemmed, or else we risk normalizing this hatred. ADL is steadfast in our commitment to disrupting and exposing antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head and urge all to join us in this fight.”  

Massachusetts recorded the seventh-highest number of incidents per state in the country (108), following New York (416), New Jersey (370), California (367), Florida (190), Michigan (112), and Texas (112).  

 

National Findings 

In 2021, ADL counted a total of 2,717 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. This represents a 34% increase from the 2,026 incidents recorded in 2020 and is the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979 – an average of more than seven incidents per day and a 34% increase year over year. Incidents were reported in all 50 states. 

Assault: A total of 88 incidents were categorized as assault, defined as cases where Jewish people (or people perceived to be Jewish) were targeted with physical violence accompanied by evidence of antisemitic animus. Antisemitic assaults increased 167 percent from the 33 reported in 2020. Eleven of the assaults in 2021 were perpetrated with deadly weapons. The 88 incidents of assault included 131 victims. Fortunately, no fatalities linked to antisemitic assaults were reported in 2021.

Harassment: Of the total, 1,776 incidents were categorized as harassment, defined as cases where one or more Jewish people (or people perceived to be Jewish) were harassed with antisemitic slurs, stereotypes or conspiracy theories. Acts of harassment increased 43 percent, up from 1,242 in 2020. 

Vandalism: Another 853 incidents were categorized as vandalism, defined as cases where property was damaged along with evidence of antisemitic intent. Acts of antisemitic vandalism increased 14 percent from 751 in 2020. Swastikas, which are generally interpreted as symbols of antisemitic hatred, were present in more than two-thirds (578) of these incidents. 

In 2021, there were 525 reported incidents at Jewish institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish schools, an increase of 61% from 327 in 2020. Of the total, 413 were incidents of harassment, 101 were incidents of vandalism and 11 were assaults. About one-quarter of the harassment incidents (111) were linked to anti-Zionist or anti-Israel sentiments. 

ADL’s Audit recorded 484 antisemitic incidents attributed to known extremist groups or individuals inspired by extremist ideology. This represents 18% of the total number of incidents. White supremacist groups were responsible for 422 antisemitic propaganda distributions, a 41 percent increase. 

A total of 345 antisemitic incidents in 2021 involved references to Israel or Zionism, compared to 178 in 2020. Of those, 68 appeared in the form of white supremacist propaganda efforts, which attempt to foment anti-Israel and antisemitic beliefs. 

 

Underreporting 

The deeply concerning increase in antisemitic incidents last year -- which is based on reported incidents -- is still almost certainly a significant undercount. Underreporting continues to be a challenge in many communities, as victims of bias crimes and antisemitic incidents face significant barriers to reporting. For example, a 2021 survey of college students conducted by ADL and Hillel International found that three-quarters of respondents who experienced antisemitism did not report it to anyone. We urge the public to be vigilant in reporting incidents to ADL, law enforcement and civilian agencies around the state. 

At the same time, we know that there is significant underreporting of hate crimes to the FBI, particularly where reporting remains voluntary by law enforcement agencies. ADL continues to work with elected officials, law enforcement leaders and community members across New England to tackle these problems head-on. 

 

Methodology 

The ADL Audit includes both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs, as well as vandalism and assault. Compiled using information provided by victims, law enforcement and community leaders, and evaluated by ADL’s professional staff, the Audit provides a regular snapshot of one specific aspect of a nationwide problem while identifying possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported. This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of antisemitism and other forms of bigotry.         

The Audit offers a snapshot of one of the ways American Jews encounter antisemitism, but a full understanding of antisemitism in the U.S. requires other forms of analysis as well, including public opinion polling, assessments of online antisemitism and examinations of extremist activity, all of which ADL offers in other reports, such as ADL Global 100, Online Hate and Harassment: The American Experience, Survey on Jewish Americans’ Experiences with Antisemitism, Murder and Extremism, and the ADL Survey of American Attitudes Toward Jews.