The Anti-Defamation League said antisemitic attacks and white supremacist activity is on the rise in Massachusetts.
The ADL released a new report this week and found there were 152 antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts in 2022, compared to 108 the year before. They said 71 cities and towns saw at least one antisemitic incident in 2022, up from 54 in 2021.
The report also found Massachusetts recorded the second highest number of white supremacist propaganda last year, behind only Texas.
Robert Leikind, director the American Jewish Committee’s New England branch, said the numbers have been steadily increasing and it’s going to take more than education to fix it.
“Antisemitism is not simply a Jewish problem,” Leikind said. “It is an American problem, no less than racism is an American problem. It requires communities, consensus, education is a big part of it.
“Another thing is leaders need to step up. If you’re standing on the sidelines when you see antisemitic events happen and you’re not speaking up, then the message is out that this is normative, it’s acceptable. That, for many of us in the Jewish community, is the biggest worry.”
Gov. Maura Healey released a statement addressing the report, saying, “We stand with the LGBTQ+ community, Jewish community, communities of color, and all who are the targets of hate and discrimination.”