Antisemitic assaults reached record high in U.S. in 2025, ADL finds

Key Concepts

• Anti-Semitism Audit: An annual report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tracking harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults against the Jewish community.
• Normalization of Hate: The societal trend where anti-Semitic rhetoric becomes mainstream through social media and public discourse.
• Center on Extremism: The ADL’s specialized unit dedicated to tracking threats and extremist activities.
• Security Grants: Government-funded initiatives designed to provide physical security infrastructure for religious and non-governmental institutions.

---

1. Overview of the 2025 ADL Audit

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its annual audit regarding anti-Semitic incidents in the United States for 2025. While the total volume of incidents—encompassing harassment, vandalism, and physical assault—decreased by 33% compared to 2024, the data reveals a concerning shift in the nature of these attacks.

• Total Incidents: Over 6,000 incidents were documented in 2025.
• Contextual Baseline: Despite the year-over-year decrease, this figure represents the third-highest total ever recorded by the ADL since they began tracking in 1979. The baseline for anti-Semitic activity remains significantly higher than pre-October 7th levels.

2. The Rise in Physical Violence

A critical finding of the report is the divergence between general incidents and violent acts. While harassment and vandalism trended downward, physical assaults against the Jewish community increased by 4%.

• Impact: Over 300 individuals were directly impacted by physical assaults in 2025.
• Severity: The report highlights a rise in incidents involving deadly weapons. Notable examples include:
  • A shooting outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
  • A firebombing in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in a fatality.
  • An arson attack on the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro while his family was inside.
  • Ongoing, localized violence, including attacks on children in schools and individuals in public spaces like Brooklyn.

3. Drivers of Anti-Semitism

Orin Seagull, ADL Senior Vice President of Counterterrorism and Intelligence, attributes the persistence of high-level assaults to the "normalization of anti-Semitism." He argues that:

• Social media platforms and influential figures have allowed anti-Semitic rhetoric to permeate public discourse.
• There remains a "hardcore element" of extremists that has not been effectively addressed, leading to a sustained environment of hostility.

4. ADL Methodologies and Countermeasures

The ADL employs a multi-faceted approach to combat these trends, focusing on both prevention and protection:

• Threat Tracking: The Center on Extremism monitors extremist behavior and coordinates closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement to preemptively identify threats.
• Advocacy for Security Funding: The ADL emphasizes the necessity of government-funded security grants for synagogues and religious institutions. Seagull noted that many institutions are currently applying for these grants, but a significant number remain unfulfilled, leaving vulnerable populations without adequate protection.
• "See Something, Say Something": The organization promotes active vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities to authorities.

5. Notable Statements

• Orin Seagull on the state of the crisis: "While harassment and vandalism decreased, physical assaults against the Jewish community actually increased 4%."
• On the persistence of the threat: "We are still at very much surge-level volume of anti-Semitic incidents... the baseline has shifted significantly."
• On the need for security: "Prevention is very important, but protection at a time of increased anti-Semitism and especially physical assaults is key."

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

The 2025 ADL audit presents a complex picture: while the overall volume of anti-Semitic incidents has receded from the record-breaking highs of 2024, the threat has become more lethal. The 4% increase in physical assaults, characterized by the use of deadly weapons and attacks on high-profile and vulnerable targets, indicates that the Jewish community remains in a state of heightened risk. The ADL concludes that addressing this issue requires a dual strategy of combating the normalization of hate in public discourse and ensuring that religious institutions have the necessary government support to secure their facilities against physical violence.