Antisemitic Incidents Triple In MD Amid Nationwide Spike: New Report

MARYLAND — Antisemitic incidents including harassment, vandalism and assault more than tripled in Maryland last year amid tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas, according to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League.

According to the new data released Tuesday, the ADL — a national nonprofit organization that tracks antisemitism and white supremacy across the country — said 8,873 antisemitic incidents were reported across the United States in 2023.

The number marks a 140 percent increase from the 3,698 incidents recorded in 2022 and is the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979.

On a per capita basis, Maryland was among the five states with the highest concentration of antisemitic incidents with more than five incidents per 100,000 residents. New Jersey had the most with 8.93 incidents per 100,000 residents, followed by Vermont (6.64), Massachusetts (6.28), New York (6.23) and Maryland (5.49).

In all, Maryland reported 339 antisemitic incidents in 2023, up from 109 in 2022 and 55 in 2021.

According to the ADL, the incidents in Maryland fell into the following categories:

• Harassment: 210
• Vandalism: 124
• Assault: 5

More than 240,000 Jewish people live in Maryland, where antisemitic incidents since the Oct.7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas have targeted Jewish organizations, colleges, public meetings, and more.

In November, University of Maryland officials launched an investigation after antisemitic messages were written on sidewalks during a pro-Palestine rally on the school's campus.

"Now that I know what some people on this campus think, I don't feel as safe walking around. Especially alone and especially at night," one student told WUSA9.

Days later, a teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools was placed on administrative leave after she was accused of posting antisemitic messages on social media and claiming the attack by Hamas on Israel was a hoax.

And early last year, a 17-year-old Montgomery County resident faced charges after authorities accused them of making harassing and antisemitic telephone calls to the Jewish Rockville Outreach Center.

Bomb threats toward Jewish institutions increased dramatically, with a total of 1,009 bomb threats — the highest number ever recorded and an increase of over 1,000 percent from 91 in 2022, according to ADL's data.

These threats were called in or emailed to a range of Jewish institutions, including cemeteries, synagogues, businesses and schools. Bomb threats were recorded in 45 states and the District of Columbia with the highest level of activity (from most to least active) in New York, Florida, California, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

At colleges across the country, antisemitic activity reported on college and university campuses more than tripled in 2023. Incidents increased by 321 percent from 2022, according to the ADL. In non-Jewish K-12 schools, 1,162 incidents were reported, an increase of 135 percent.

Nationally, the ADL recorded 1,987 incidents targeting Jewish institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers, and Jewish schools, an increase of 237 percent from 589 in 2022. The increase was in part due to the dramatic spike in antisemitic bomb threats, the vast majority of which targeted synagogues in the fall.

In all, synagogues experienced 73 percent of all incidents affecting Jewish institutions in 2023.

The states with the highest number of incidents were California (1,266), New York (1,218), New Jersey (830), Florida (463) and Massachusetts (440). Combined, these five states accounted for 48 percent of the total incidents.

The ADL data is compiled using law enforcement data and information provided by faith leaders and community members before analysts verify it.