The Alarming Rise of Antisemitism in 2025: A Global Crisis Unfolds

Category: News | Sub-Category: Crime & Public Safety

In recent years, antisemitism has surged worldwide, reaching levels not seen since the dark days of World War II. The year 2025 has been marked by a disturbing escalation in anti-Jewish incidents, fueled by a volatile mix of geopolitical tensions, social media amplification, and ideological extremism. From violent attacks like the firebombing of a peaceful hostage solidarity rally in Boulder, Colorado, to a staggering 340% increase in global antisemitic incidents since 2022, the data paints a grim picture. This blog post explores the rising trends of antisemitism in 2025, their causes, and their impact on Jewish communities, while calling for urgent action to stem this tide of hate.

A Surge in Antisemitic Incidents

The numbers are staggering. According to a 2025 report by the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel, global antisemitic incidents have risen by 340% compared to 2022, nearly doubling from 2023 alone. In the United States, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded 9,354 incidents in 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year and an 893% jump over the past decade—the highest since tracking began in 1979. This translates to over 25 incidents per day, ranging from verbal harassment to vandalism and physical assaults.

Europe is no exception. France saw a 350% increase in incidents, with 28% involving violence, while the UK reported a 450% spike, with nearly 2,000 incidents in the first half of 2024. Germany recorded 1,383 incidents in Berlin alone in 2024, the highest in nearly a decade. Even regions with smaller Jewish populations, like Australia, reported over 2,000 incidents in 2024, a dramatic rise from previous years.

The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and triggered a prolonged war in Gaza, has been a significant catalyst. The ADL noted a 361% spike in U.S. incidents in the three months following the attack, with 58% of 2024 incidents linked to anti-Israel sentiment. However, the rise predates this conflict, with a 36% increase in U.S. incidents from 2021 to 2022, suggesting deeper societal currents at play.

The Boulder Firebombing: A Case Study in Violence

A chilling example of this trend unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. Members of the Jewish community were participating in “Run for Their Lives,” a weekly global event to raise awareness for 58 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The group, gathered in front of the Boulder County Courthouse, was attacked by 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, who allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” before hurling Molotov cocktails and using a makeshift flamethrower. Eight people, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, were injured, with one in critical condition. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, and organizers labeled it “blatantly antisemitic.”

This attack underscores a broader pattern: Jewish communities engaging in peaceful advocacy are increasingly targeted. The Boulder incident mirrors other violent acts, such as the 2024 attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam and bomb threats against U.S. synagogues, which averaged three per day in 2023. These acts not only threaten physical safety but also erode the sense of security for Jewish communities worldwide.

The Role of Social Media and Ideological Extremism

Social media has become a breeding ground for antisemitic rhetoric, amplifying hate at an unprecedented scale. The American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) 2024 State of Antisemitism in America Report found that 69% of Jewish adults encountered antisemitism online, rising to 83% among young adults. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram, popular among younger generations, have seen a surge in antisemitic tropes, with 70% of U.S. adults who witnessed antisemitism in 2024 reporting it occurred online.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) reported a 324.8% increase in far-left-driven antisemitic incidents in 2024, overtaking far-right extremism as the dominant ideological source. This shift is often cloaked in anti-Israel activism, with slogans like “from the river to the sea” interpreted by the ADL as antisemitic calls for Israel’s destruction. Meanwhile, Islamist-motivated incidents rose by 44.3%, fueled by propaganda networks and extremist teachings. In China, social media platforms have been flooded with Holocaust denial and antisemitic conspiracy theories, while Japan and Taiwan have seen rare anti-Israel protests with Nazi gestures.

Posts on X reflect this polarized discourse. One user noted, “Antisemitism is on the rise right now, alongside Islamophobia & anti-Arab/Palestinian bigotry,” highlighting the intersection of hate trends. Another pointed to the far-left’s role, stating, “Since Oct 7th, 2023 antisemitic incidents, including those rising to the level of violence or threat of violence, overwhelmingly all come from the Far-left, not the Far-right.” While these posts are inconclusive, they capture the growing tension and complexity of attributing blame.

Impact on Jewish Communities

The human toll is profound. The AJC reports that 77% of American Jews feel less safe since October 7, 2023, with 56% altering their behavior—avoiding Jewish symbols or expressing views on Israel—out of fear. On U.S. college campuses, 48% of Jewish students feel unsafe, with some avoiding classes or events. In Europe, Rabbi Menachem Margolin warned that 40,000 Jews have left the continent in recent years due to rising antisemitism, describing 2025 as a “critical year” for Jewish presence.

Personal stories illustrate the crisis. Mara, a 31-year-old in children’s book publishing, sees daily antisemitism in her industry, while a Chicago student was attacked by masked men for engaging in dialogue about Israel. In the UK, the Community Security Trust reported a record-high number of incidents, prompting some British Jews to consider emigrating to Israel, with a 46% increase in UK-to-Israel migration in 2024.

Root Causes and Societal Implications

Experts point to multiple factors driving this surge. Mark Oppenheimer of Washington University highlights a “climate of illiberalism and polarization,” where both far-right bigotry and far-left “wokeness” create a toxic environment for minorities, particularly Jews. The ADL notes that 46% of adults globally—2.2 billion people—harbor antisemitic attitudes, with younger generations showing higher rates of prejudice, possibly due to social media influence and declining Holocaust education. One in five global respondents in 2025 were unaware of the Holocaust, and only 39% of those under 35 recognized its historical accuracy.

Geopolitical tensions, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, have exacerbated the issue. The ADL and Tel Aviv University report that while October 7, 2023, was a flashpoint, antisemitism was already rising in early 2023, suggesting domestic factors like political polarization and mainstreamed extremist rhetoric play a significant role. The redefinition of antisemitism in U.S. law, such as through Trump’s 2025 executive order, has sparked debate, with critics arguing it targets dissent under the guise of protecting Jews, potentially fueling further division.

A Call to Action

The rise of antisemitism in 2025 is a warning sign for societies worldwide. As Professor Uriya Shavit warned, “If current trends continue, the curtain will descend on the ability to lead Jewish lives in the West.” Combating this requires a multifaceted approach: stricter enforcement of hate crime laws, as called for by Germany’s antisemitism commissioner; improved social media moderation to curb hate speech; and education to counter historical distortion. The AJC’s Global Call to Action Against Antisemitism advocates for a “whole-of-society” approach, including adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism to guide policy.

Yet, solutions must balance free speech with safety. Rabbi Margolin’s call for a “code of conduct” for protests to prevent antisemitic rhetoric is one step, but addressing the root causes—polarization, misinformation, and extremism—requires broader societal shifts. Oppenheimer emphasizes the role of humanities education to foster civility and historical awareness, noting, “The humanities don’t inoculate against hatred, but they give us the tools to fight it.”

Resilience Amid Fear

Despite the fear, Jewish communities are showing resilience. In Boulder, “Run for Their Lives” resumed with heightened precautions, reflecting a refusal to be silenced. Across the globe, Jewish organizations are mobilizing, from the EJA’s summits to the ADL’s advocacy. As one X user poignantly stated, “The concerns of Jewish comrades should not be ignored,” underscoring the need for solidarity across communities to combat all forms of hate.

The rise of antisemitism in 2025 is not just a Jewish issue—it’s a societal one. As history shows, unchecked antisemitism often signals broader instability. The question now is whether the world will act decisively to protect its Jewish citizens and uphold the values of pluralism and tolerance.

Thought Questions for Readers:

1. How can governments and tech companies balance free speech with the need to curb antisemitic hate speech online?

2. What role does education play in combating antisemitism, especially among younger generations with declining Holocaust awareness?

3. How can communities foster solidarity to address both antisemitism and other forms of hate, like Islamophobia, in a polarized world?

Sources:

• The Times of Israel, January 21, 2025

• TIME, June 1, 2025

• American Jewish Committee, February 12, 2025

• Tel Aviv University, May 4, 2024

• Combat Antisemitism Movement, April 29, 2025

• Euronews, January 14, 2025

• Axios, April 22, 2025

• Posts on X, 2023–2025