December 30, 2023 — New York, NY
American Jewish Committee (AJC) today released A Law Enforcement Guide to Countering Antisemitism: Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in partnership with the Secure Community Network (SCN), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA).
Since the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, the United States has seen a dramatic and dangerous surge in antisemitic incidents with SCN, the central organization dedicated to the safety and security of the North American Jewish community, documenting 1,362 incidents between October 7 and November 30.
“Just this month, there were hundreds of swatting incidents and bomb threats targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions across the country,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “While thankfully no one was injured, the perpetrators tried to use law enforcement against these Jewish communities. Local law enforcement is the Jewish community’s first line of defense against such violent antisemitism and we must ensure that they are equipped to not only properly respond to such incidents but to also identify and report antisemitic hate crimes. In addition to this law enforcement guide, AJC has and will continue to work with law enforcement agencies, including by sharing our Translate Hate glossary, which explains how and when certain terms, tropes, and actions are or can become antisemitic.”
This guide for law enforcement agencies builds on AJC’s work supporting the White House in the drafting, amplification, and implementation of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, a comprehensive, society-wide roadmap released in May 2023. It also complements the efforts of AJC’s National Strategy-focused Task Force, composed of more than 50 AJC staff and three dozen leaders from across the country, to help ensure that the more than 200 recommendations in the strategy are carried out.
"In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the record number of security incidents and antisemitic activity SCN has tracked across North America requires a recommitment to communication and collaboration between law enforcement and Jewish community partners," said SCN National Director & CEO Michael Masters. "This vital and invaluable updated guide for law enforcement empowers officers and agents in communities across the country to recognize and combat antisemitism effectively. We are proud to partner with AJC, NSA, and MSCA to create, update, and share this guide so it becomes common knowledge in communities across the country. This is not just a guide but a resource that can help build and strengthen the relationships necessary to keep the Jewish community safe and secure amidst an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment.”
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) is proud to partner with the American Jewish Committee on this guide for law enforcement on best practices and strategies for outreach to the Jewish communities we serve across the country,” said Megan E. Noland, MCSA Executive Director. “Our agencies have historically been proactive in their vigilance and guidance with all faith communities and this guide provides a framework for law enforcement agencies of any size to implement. We encourage agencies to review their policies and procedures and continue to look for ways to improve relations with the Jewish community especially during this current time of unrest and uncertainty.”
Many of the recommendations in the guide mirror those in the 2022 AJC Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America, which amplified the need for a society-wide approach to fight antisemitism. Dozens of recommendations stemming from the Call to Action were included in the National Strategy.
A Law Enforcement Guide to Countering Antisemitism: Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism can be found here.
AJC has created and distributed implementation guides for additional sectors of society and more are slated to be released on an ongoing basis.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 offices across the United States, 14 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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