Antisemitic incidents in Colorado have spiked 40%, ADL says
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Lisa Turnquist of Louisville, Colorado, lays flowers and a flag at the site of Sunday's attack outside the Boulder County Courthouse. Photo: Chet Strange/Getty Images
Sunday's attack on demonstrators in Boulder advocating for Israeli hostages is part of an alarming trend of violence targeting Jewish individuals and pro-Israel advocates — incidents that some experts link to a rise in antisemitism.
The big picture: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have soared almost 900% in the last 10 years, and last year reached their highest level recorded in nearly half a century, Axios' Russell Contreras writes per a recent Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report.
By the numbers: Colorado recorded 279 such incidents in 2024 compared with 198 in 2023 — a 40% spike.
- The rise comes as at least 33 extremist groups — including white nationalists, anti-LGBTQ+ organizations and anti-government militias — are currently active in Colorado, per the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The latest: A pattern of violence has emerged nationwide in recent weeks, affecting both Jewish communities and individuals and groups publicly supporting Israel. The trend is raising concerns about the intersection of antisemitism and political tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
Zoom in: Two Israeli Embassy employees were fatally shot May 21 outside a Jewish museum reception in Washington, D.C.
- In mid-April, an arsonist torched the Pennsylvania governor's mansion on the first night of Passover as Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family slept inside.
What they're saying: While criticism of Israeli policies is not inherently antisemitic, some Jewish leaders warn that increasingly hostile rhetoric can draw on or reinforce antisemitic tropes.
- "What we've seen these last few months is a shocking pattern of anti-Israel sentiment manifesting itself in antisemitic violence," Halie Soifer, chief executive of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, told the New York Times. "With each incident there's a further shattering of our sense of security."
What's next: Boulder will host its 30th annual Jewish Festival this Sunday — at the same Pearl Street Mall where the fiery attack occurred.
- The editorial board of Boulder's Daily Camera newspaper is urging a strong turnout: "Boulderites should come out in mass to support our Jewish community and send a message that terrorism will not succeed."