Anti-Semitism On The Rise In America; ADL Survey On Anti-Semitic Attitudes Reveals 17 Percent Of Americans Hold 'Hardcore' Beliefs

6/11/2002

From: Myrna Shinbaum, 212-885-7747, or Todd Gutnick, 212-885-7755, both of the Anti-Defamation League

New York, June 11 -- A nationwide survey released today by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows an increase in the number of Americans with anti-Semitic attitudes, reversing a ten-year decline and raising concerns that "an undercurrent of Jewish hatred persists in America."

The national poll of 1,000 American adults conducted April 26 through May 6, 2002 found that 17 percent of Americans - or about 35 million adults - hold views about Jews that are "unquestionably anti-Semitic." Previous surveys commissioned by ADL over the last decade had indicated that anti-Semitism was in decline. A survey of attitudes four years ago found that the number of Americans with hardcore anti-Semitic beliefs had dropped from 20 percent in 1992, to 12 percent in 1998.

"We are greatly concerned that many of the gains we had seen in building a more tolerant and accepting America have not taken hold as firmly as we had hoped, and have to some degree been reversed," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "While there are many factors at play, all of the evidence suggests that a strong undercurrent of Jewish hatred persists in America."

One of the most important findings of ADL's 2002 Survey of Anti-Semitism in America concerns Hispanic Americans, one of the most significant and fastest growing segments of the American population, in which the poll found an extraordinary gap between those born in the United States and those born abroad. The survey revealed that while 44 percent of foreign-born Hispanics hold hardcore anti-Semitic beliefs, 20 percent of Hispanic Americans born in the U.S. fall into the same category.

The anti-Semitic propensities of foreign-born Hispanics were significantly above the national average. Meanwhile, the number of African-Americans with strong anti-Semitic beliefs continued to hold steady at 35 percent.

"Religious background has always played a role in determining one's beliefs about Jews. So it is not surprising yet very distressing that one of the fastest growing segments in America holds strongly anti-Semitic views," said Foxman. "There is no doubt that this is a reflection of what is being learned about Jews in the schools, churches and communities of Hispanic nations, which is anti-Semitism at its most basic. We need to re-focus our efforts on reaching out to these groups in addition to the larger American public." The survey, which has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, was conducted by the Marttila Communications Group, a Boston-based public opinion research firm, with the polling firm SWR Worldwide. Marttila has conducted ADL's previous surveys on anti-Semitism, using similar questions and criteria to measure and monitor levels of anti-Semitism in the U.S.

The survey findings come at a time of increased anti-Semitic activity in America. A five-month ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, released today, shows that attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions were up 11 percent in the first five months of 2002, compared with the same period in 2001.

MAJOR FINDINGS -- Anti-Semitic attitudes are up; the most widely held stereotype is that "Jews have too much power in the U.S." The poll found 17 percent of Americans were "most anti-Semitic" in their views, while another 35 percent were in the "middle" category, holding neither prejudiced nor unprejudiced views, but not completely prejudice-free in their attitudes toward Jews. The survey based its findings on an "index of anti-Semitic beliefs" used by researchers in previous surveys in 1964, 1981, 1992 and 1998. The survey found that 48 percent of the American public is prejudice-free in their feelings toward Jews, down from 53 percent in 1998.

Less educated Americans continue to be more likely to hold anti-Semitic views. Race and age also continued to play roles in determining anti-Semitism. However, new stereotypes about "Jewish power" in the U.S. have replaced many of the classical ethical stereotypes previously attributed to Jewish Americans. In the 2002 survey, 20 percent of Americans agreed with the statement "Jews have too much power in the U.S. today." Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of those in the most anti-Semitic category believe that Jews have too much power.

-- Anti-Israel feelings are triggering anti-Semitism. For the first time, negative attitudes toward Israel and concern that American Jews have too much influence over U.S. Middle East policy are helping to foster anti-Semitic beliefs. Slightly more than half of Americans (51 percent) said the U.S. has been tilting too much toward Israel, while three-quarters of the most anti-Semitic Americans (73 percent) said they felt this way. While 41 percent of Americans say their sympathies are more with Israel than with Arab countries, sympathies are more closely divided among the most anti-Semitic Americans (29 percent sympathetic to Israel versus 23 percent sympathetic to Arab countries.) The most anti-Semitic Americans were four times as likely (42 percent) to believe that American Jewish leaders have too much influence over U.S. foreign policy than Americans holding non anti-Semitic beliefs (11 percent).

"We have said that anti-Israel feelings are linked to anti-Semitism, and the responses from Americans in this poll make this connection clear," said Foxman. "Anti-Israel sentiments are used in this country to fuel, legitimize and rationalize anti-Semitism."

Those Americans who believe that Jews have too much influence over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East; that U.S. policy tilts too much toward Israel; that the U.S. is more likely to be targeted for a terrorist attack because of American support; and who see increased anti-Jewish activity around the country and world, have a significantly greater likelihood to fall into the most anti-Semitic category.

Previous polls conducted during two contentious moments in the U.S. - Israel relationship found that the upper-educated Americans were highly critical of the Israeli governments at that time. However, these upper-educated Americans were also the least anti-Semitic of all Americans. The 2002 survey tells a different story. The analysis reveals that attitudes toward Israel are actually fostering anti-Semitic beliefs among some Americans.

-- Anti-Semitism among foreign-born Hispanics is extremely high. The survey uncovered, for the first time, that Hispanic Americans who were born outside of the U.S. are much more likely to hold anti-Semitic views than Hispanics born in the U.S. In both this survey, which included an oversample of 300 Hispanics, and a previous 2001 survey of 1,000 Hispanic Americans also conducted by ADL, a portrait of two very different Hispanic communities emerges, each holding very different views of Jews and tolerance in general.

Forty-four percent (44 percent) of foreign-born Hispanics fall into the most anti-Semitic category, while only 20 percent of Hispanics born in the U.S. fall into this category. As a result, it is only foreign-born Hispanics whose anti-Semitic propensities are significantly above the national average. Perceptions of "Jewish control," influence and power as well as more traditional canards about Jews, religion and ethical practices appear to be driving anti-Semitism among foreign-born Hispanics. For example, more than half of foreign-born Hispanics (55 percent) agree with the assertion that "Jews don't care what happens to anyone but their own kind." Forty-four percent (44 percent) of Hispanics born outside the U.S. agree with the assertion that "Jews were responsible for the death of Christ," compared with 26 percent of those born in the U.S.

-- Campus faculty and students are the least anti-Semitic among Americans. Anti-Semitism on U.S. college campuses is virtually non-existent. Only 3 percent of undergraduates, and 5 percent of faculty fall into the most anti-Semitic category. Fully 74 percent of undergraduates, and 79 percent of faculty, are prejudice free.

"The campus findings are paradoxical, coming at a time when anti-Israel rallies, divestment drives and other pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses stemming from the Mideast conflict have been at an all-time high. Many of the anti-Israel rallies led to expressions of anti-Semitism, which is why we selected this particular group for polling," said Foxman.

"The good news is that the overwhelming majority of students and faculty have by and large rejected the hate being promulgated by a select few. Too often, anti-Israel activism crosses the line into anti-Semitism in an environment where there is none. The bad news is that there is a silent majority on campus that is not speaking out against anti-Semitism."

ADL REPORTS RISE IN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS Coinciding with the rise in anti-Semitic attitudes, ADL released the most recent statistics on anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. ADL's Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents reported an 11 percent increase in the number of anti-Jewish incidents during the first five months of 2002, compared with the same period in 2001. ADL collects and compiles information on anti-Semitic incidents across the country through its 30 Regional Offices in conjunction with law enforcement and periodically issues reports on its findings.

"It is especially disturbing that while anti-Semitic attitudes are rising, so too are the number of violent anti-Semitic attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions," said Foxman. "We believe that September 11 and the Mideast conflict have clearly had an impact. As these life-altering events have transformed us as a nation, they have also triggered the anti-Semitism that was already there, but buried beneath the surface."

Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman, added, "We are gravely concerned about what has been happening in Europe, where anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments have led to violent attacks against the Jewish communities in France and in other countries. As the 2002 survey shows, America is not immune to anti-Semitism. We are concerned that what is happening in Europe could lead to a similar reaction here."

In January - May 2002, 626 anti-Semitic incidents were reported to ADL, compared with 564 incidents reported during the same period in 2001. The activity was comprised of 435 acts of harassment or intimidation and 191 acts of vandalism. The audit found that the number of incidents increased steadily during the first four months in 2002, with 81 incidents in January, 98 in February, 124 in March and 222 in April (101 in May). Campus incidents were up dramatically. ADL tracked at least 63 incidents nationwide on campus, while only 15 incidents were reported during the same period in 2001.

EDITORS NOTE: The Survey of Anti-Semitism in America, including graphs, charts and other materials, is available on the League's Web site at www.adl.org. The Web site also features a compilation of anti-Semitic incidents on campus, and anti-Israel rallies. To speak with an expert on anti-Semitism, contact the ADL Media Relations Department at (212) 885-7749.

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The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.