Is America Experiencing Europe's Growing Anti-Semitism?

Click here to view the survey results.

America is facing a shocking spike in anti-Semitism and, in addition to traditional sources on the extreme right, this time it includes left-wing progressives and Islamists. Since October, we have seen shooting attacks on synagogues in Pennsylvania and California by individuals espousing white supremacy—some of the most violent attacks against Jews in U.S. history. At least three other plots to attack synagogues were recently thwarted when the FBI arrested Muslim extremists. At the same time, an alarming new anti-Semitism has surfaced in progressive circles. In April, the New York Times was forced to apologize for publishing a Nazi-style political cartoon. From Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) anti-Jewish outbursts on social media to a selective campus Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against only Israel, progressive anti-Semitism seems to be rapidly gaining traction. In parts of Europe over the past decade or two this new anti-Semitism, as well as the violent old anti-Semitism of neo-Nazi groups, has become entrenched in the mainstream. Is America following in Europe’s footsteps? What can be done to halt this?

Join Hudson Institute for the release of a major new poll on American attitudes concerning anti-Semitism. This conference—comprising pollsters, investigators, and experts—will address today’s compelling issues concerning rising anti-Semitism in the West. Hudson Senior Fellow Nina Shea will interview pollster John McLaughlin to discuss the findings of the Hudson poll; this will be followed by keynote remarks from the Hon. Elan S. Carr, the State Department's special envoy to monitor and combat Anti-Semitism; Mitchell Silber, the former Director of Intelligence Analysis at NYPD will discuss new findings from an extensive investigation into current trends in European anti-Semitism; Hudson Senior Fellow Lee Smith will interview Marc Weitzmann, author of the new book, Hate: The Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism in France (and What It Means for Us); and Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, director of the American Jewish Committee in Europe, will deliver keynote remarks. There will be a reception immediately following the conclusion of the conference.

The conference was moderated by Nina Shea, senior fellow and director of the Center for Religious Freedom at Hudson Institute.