The State of Antisemitism in America 2021

Antisemitism has been called the world’s oldest hatred. It is a tangible threat not only to Jews, but also to the very fabric of democratic societies. As violence against Jews intensifies, the antisemitism that drives it is emanating from a host of sources on college campuses, in public discourse, on social media, and across the globe. AJC offices throughout the U.S. and around the world deliver that message to decision makers and opinion leaders daily and advocate for action to combat rising Jew-hatred.

Prompting Government Action

In the U.S., AJC conceived of and helped establish the congressional Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Antisemitism. Now, with more than 174 members, it crafts policies to address rising antisemitism and protect Jewish communities.

In 2021, AJC partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on its Mayors United Against Antisemitism initiative, which has received the support of more than 700 U.S. Mayors.

AJC conducts training sessions for U.S. mayors and key federal, state and local officials, including the FBI and National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

Throughout Europe and the U.S, AJC advocates for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as a crucial first step toward addressing the horrific rise in antisemitism. AJC was closely involved in the original drafting of the definition 14 years ago. In 2021, AJC convened antisemitism experts from the UN and the European Union for a briefing on Capitol Hill about the need for America to adopt the Working Definition.

In the Fall of 2021, AJC welcomed the European Union’s newly announced comprehensive strategy to combat antisemitism and strengthen Jewish life. The strategy, which includes many of the concrete measures and recommendations advocated for by AJC, clearly identifies “Israel-related antisemitism” as a major problem, noting that it is in fact “the most common form of antisemitism encountered online by Jews in Europe today.” If implemented by all EU member states, the action plan has the potential to accelerate the fight against Jew-hatred in Europe. View AJC resources on antisemitism in Europe.

Social Media Accountability

AJC regularly engages with social media companies at the highest levels to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate and bigotry. This engagement bears real results, as shown by Facebook’s announcement that it will ban Holocaust denial posts. Twitter quickly followed suit and announced it, too, would remove posts denying the Holocaust.

Coalition-Building

Developing coalitions with other faith and ethnic groups builds a united front against hate. That’s why AJC co-convened the groundbreaking Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, launched the Latino-Jewish Leadership Council, and regularly engages with other faith and ethnic communities across America and around the world.

AJC's Outreach to the Arab World

'An al-Yahud, or About the Jews, is AJC’s groundbreaking Arabic-language online video series aimed at increasing understanding of the Jewish people in the Arab world. Launched in January 2020, these animated short videos about contemporary Jewish life, Jewish history, the Holocaust, and current issues of importance to the Jewish people, like antisemitism, have reached over 45 million people on AJC’s Arabic-language Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube platforms.

Worldwide Solidarity

Following the murder of 11 Jews at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in October 2018, AJC mobilized millions of people of all faiths around its #ShowUpForShabbat initiative, packing synagogues in what became the largest-ever expression of solidarity with the American Jewish community.

After the attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, New York, AJC designated January 6, 2020 as #JewishandProud Day. Jews and allies, including members of Congress and other officials, came together to show their Jewish pride and solidarity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AJC’S EFFORTS TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM