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Saying “No” to Masked Intimidation: #UnMaskHateNY
Today ADL joined the National Urban League, leading pastors and civil rights groups along with New York political leaders to announce a new statewide campaign to protect communities against harassment and violence by those wearing masks and face coverings with an intent to intimidate with impunity.
With a backdrop of Columbia University, which has been the site of extensive anti-Zionist and antisemitic unrest in recent months, the leaders announced that legislation will be brought to New York’s Assembly and Senate to reinstate and strengthen New York’s mask laws so that those who hide their identity as a way to intimidate can be held accountable.
The current crisis has targeted Jews in New York and across the country, but KKK-style masked intimidation is not new. It impacts all marginalized communities. Masked individuals ransacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, and masked members of Neo-Nazi groups continue to terrorize local communities in states around the nation.
We ask everyone in the ADL community to click here to show their support for this legislation to ensure a safer New York and to serve as a model for the rest of the country.
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Rising Belief in Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories:
A new ADL survey provides insights into antisemitic and anti-Israel attitudes in the U.S and the other countries in the J7 task force, home to some of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel. The survey revealed that the age-old “dual loyalty” trope — the notion that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their home country — is at an all-time high with percentages varying from 51% of those polled in the U.S., to 64% in Argentina and Germany. Belief in the trope that “Jews are responsible for most of the world’s wars” has increased as well.
Read the full report on antisemitic attitudes in these countries.
More Funding for Safer Synagogues:
ADL continues to lead the way in advocating for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This week, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan amendment increasing funding for this critical program which safeguards our houses of worship and at-risk nonprofits amid severe threats. ADL data was cited by Members of Congress during the discussion to highlight the rise of antisemitic incidents, as you can see here in this video.
The $30 million increase brings total NSPG funding in the House bill to $335 million. As Congress moves through the appropriations process for fiscal year 2025, it’s critical to advocate for and secure increased funding for this vital program.
How Iran Uses Quds Day to Spread Hate:
The Iran-led observation of Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) was more prominent than usual this year in spreading antisemitic hate, terrorism and calls for the destruction of Israel. Events included a conference with Iran’s terrorist proxies and widespread celebration of the October 7 attack on Israel. ADL’s international affairs experts dive deeper into the rhetoric and impact of Quds Day. Read their analysis here.
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Columbia. Business leader and founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism Robert Kraft is the latest alum of an Ivy League school that was convulsed with the recent anti-Israel and antisemitic protests to take their financial support elsewhere.
Kraft, a Columbia University alum, had already stated he would cut his ties to that school and now he has announced he will be taking some of his dollars to Yeshiva University, where he will help fund a program for students transferring there from other schools.
Santa Barbara. Earlier this week, after UC Santa Barbara's administration notified leaders of an anti-Israel encampment that they were trespassing and had violated school policies, police cleared away the encampment, arresting several protesters for unlawful assembly and tossing tents into a garbage truck as they cleared the area. This was
the last remaining encampment of its kind on a University of California campus. University Chancellor Henry Yang noted the increased numbers of tents, signs and vandalism, and that the protesters were disruptive to students pursuing their academic goals, as well as faculty and staff.
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Make your voice heard! Urge Lawmakers to #UnMaskHateNY and strengthen safety. Antisemitic and harassing conduct has erupted in our streets and on our campuses with a common, alarming trend: many of those engaged in harassment and intimidation wear masks to conceal their identities and terrorize their targets. Support ADL, the National Urban League, and a coalition of civil rights and faith leaders urging lawmakers to reinstate New York’s mask laws.
Click here to urge lawmakers to act to #UnMaskNY and to set an example for other states.
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The @ADL_tracker feed of news and developments in antisemitism activities.
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