FBI finds spike in reports of antisemitic acts

The figure represents a significant portion of hate crimes reported to the FBI in total.

By MICHAEL WILNER
People pay their respects at a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life synagogue following Saturday's shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, October 29, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/CATHAL MCNAUGHTON)
People pay their respects at a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life synagogue following Saturday's shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, October 29, 2018
(photo credit: REUTERS/CATHAL MCNAUGHTON)
WASHINGTON – Antisemitic hate crimes have increased by 37% over the past year, according to data released by the FBI this week.
Hate crimes have long targeted the Jewish community in disproportionate numbers. But the bureau received 938 reports of acts against American Jews in 2017, which the US Justice Department said led it to be “particularly troubled” by the spike.
 
Several local police departments decline to report hate crimes to their federal counterparts. The increasing number may signal an increase in police reporting.
The figure represents a significant portion of hate crimes reported to the FBI in total. The bureau received reports of 7,000 incidents last year, 2,013 which targeted African-Americans and 1,130 which attacked individuals based on sexual orientation.
The Anti-Defamation League reported similar findings in its annual audit of antisemitic incidents. Their records found an increase of 57% from the previous year.