The Anti-Defamation League of Orange County/Long Beach in California and the Jewish Federation of Orange County called on elected officials to take stronger action against antisemitism in a joint statement released on June 6.
The ADL and Federation chapters pointed to the recent shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and the firebombing of those rallying in Boulder, Colo., in support of hostages in Hamas captivity, as the result of the “antisemitic rhetoric, violence at protests, dehumanizing language and efforts to marginalize Jews” since the Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The ADL documented 1,344 antisemitic incidents in the state in 2024, a 6.2% increase from the year prior. There were 107 incidents in the Long Beach and Orange County areas, a 22% increase from the year before. Nationwide, the ADL documented 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the country, which is a 5% increase from 2023 and a 344% increase over the past five years.
The ADL and Federation chapters outlined “decisive action” that state and local leaders should take to fight against antisemitism. These measures include publicly condemning antisemitism and all other forms of hate, and antisemitic incidents should be addressed quickly.
They also called for providing “funding assistance for security enhancements at nonprofit institutions, including religious ones, to protect against hate-motivated violence,” continuing funding toward the Non-Profit Security Grant program and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism as a tool for governments to use to fight Jew-hatred.
The ADL and Federation chapters also urged elected officials “to implement clear policies and rigorous oversight to ensure a safe and respectful environment for Jewish students and the entire community” on college campuses.
“We have been raising the alarm for some time about the type of violent rhetoric we saw espoused during the recent attacks, and in many cases, our concerns have been dismissed,” said Matthew Friedman, regional director of the local ADL branch. “We are imploring everyone to stand up to the hate directed against our community.”
Erik Ludwig, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Orange County, stated that “antisemitism threatens not only the Jewish community but the values of our entire society. We urge leaders at every level to act decisively to confront hate and foster an environment where all people can live in safety and with dignity.”
