Whereas in the past young Americans were less anti-Semitic than their parents, now millennials agree with the greatest number of anti-Semitic statements. The same trend was also revealed in the answer to the question, “To what extent would you be comfortable being a friend of a Hamas supporter”, when more than half of the Generation Z respondents answered that they would feel comfortable.
It seems that cases of violence against Jews at universities in the United States are becoming the norm just last week, Jewish students from Berkeley University were violently attacked by pro-Palestinian protesters who demonstrated on campus against Israel.
Anti-Semitic students at Berkeley attacked a Jewish student at the university, strangling her and injuring another, at the same time other pro-Palestinian “protesters” spat in the face of another Jewish student while shouting “Jew!”.
The USA, which was the most friendly to Israel, is changing its trend and has become more and more anti-Semitic –
A survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League shows that – the number of Americans who hold anti-Semitic views has increased to 24 percent – that is, almost one in four. This is an increase compared to the situation in 2022, when the figure was 20%. This is according to a comprehensive survey, conducted by the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Anti-Semitism Research Center.
One of the alarming findings of the survey is that, in contrast to previous years, where adults were more likely to hold widespread anti-Semitic prejudices than young people, this time it was found that millennials and Generation Z agree with more anti-Jewish images – than any other generational group.
A contemporary statistical study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) confirms that in the United States there is a clear trend of strengthening anti-Semitism, especially among the younger generation, and states that the events of October 7 and the Gaza war did not particularly affect it. The study also states that there is a compatibility between belief in conspiracy theories or in a superior race and class society and holding anti-Semitic positions.
“After decades in which anti-Semitism remained largely on the fringes of society, it is shocking to see how the number of Americans who openly hold anti-Semitic beliefs has increased so significantly in recent years,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, global executive director of the Anti-Defamation League. From older generations to younger generations who are more inclined to hold anti-Semitic beliefs, is a source of deep concern for our future. The need for better solutions is more urgent than ever – before this dangerous momentum continues to grow.”
From the sixties of the twentieth century until 2014, there was a decrease in anti-Semitism in the USA, but in 2014 about 9% of respondents supported 6 or more anti-Semitic statements, in 2015 the number increased to 10% and in 2019 to 11 %. In 2022 there was a significant jump to 20% and in 2024 the number already reaches close to 24%.
The Anti-Defamation League’s research also found that conspiratorial thinking and belief in social dominance are key predictors of holding anti-Semitic attitudes. Respondents in the top quartile of conspiracy believers tended to support anti-Semitic statements twice as often as the other quartiles. Among those holding positions of racial or class superiority, the number was even greater.
The researchers also examined the opinions of the respondents on a variety of issues related to Israel, and found that these remained similar even after October 7, 2023. However, the study found polarization in attitudes. That is, even if the division between anti-Israeli and pro-Israeli positions remains as it was, those positions were sharpened following the October 7 massacre and the Gaza war.
Another finding of the study is that more than 42% of Americans have friends or family members who do not like Jews or who believe that there is nothing wrong with their family member supporting Hamas.
The study by the Anti-Defamation League did not analyze the reasons for the findings, but other studies from recent years have pointed to social networks as carriers of anti-Semitism, on an unprecedented scale and intensity.
The study was conducted between January 5 and January 18, 2024 among 4,143 Americans (with a margin of error of approximately 1.5%).
