In 2025, the landscape of anti-Semitic violence saw a notable shift, with a report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) revealing an alarming rise in attacks involving deadly weapons, despite an overall decrease in incidents. The organization documented 6,274 anti-Semitic incidents throughout the year, averaging roughly 17 per day. Among these, there were 203 assaults, with 32 involving deadly weapons, marking a 39% increase compared to 2024. Additionally, the report noted 4,003 cases of anti-Semitic harassment and 2,068 instances of vandalism. New York, California, and New Jersey topped the list for the most incidents, according to the ADL.
The year saw a 33% drop in incidents from 2024, when there were 9,354 reported occurrences. Nevertheless, the ADL indicated that the figures remained “significantly higher” than in years prior to Hamas’ attacks on October 7. This 2025 audit ranks as the third highest in anti-Semitic incidents after 2023 and 2024.
Interestingly, college campuses experienced the sharpest decline in such incidents, likely due to a reduction in anti-Israel protests. The ADL identified 583 anti-Semitic incidents on campuses, a staggering 66% drop from the previous year’s count of 1,694. The organization urged educational institutions to take action against anti-Semitism, releasing a report card to assess their responses.
Notably, less than half—about 45%—of the incidents in 2025 related to Israel or Zionism, down from roughly 58% in 2024. Incidents occurring during or near anti-Israel protests also fell by 67% this year, totaling 856.
Despite the overall decline, attacks against individuals, particularly those armed with deadly weapons, surged to a “historic high” in 2025, increasing by 39%. This included the tragic shooting on May 21 that claimed the lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lisinski outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, alongside a separate incendiary attack on 82-year-old Karen Diamond on June 1, which left her severely injured.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt remarked that the audit reflects one of the most violent years for American Jews, highlighting the stark change in the nature of threats faced. “It’s shocking how numbers that would have shocked us five years ago are now part of our daily discussions,” he stated, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of contemporary anti-Semitism.
Oren Segal, the ADL’s senior vice president for counterextremism and intelligence, further stressed the seriousness of the situation. “While the decrease in overall incidents is positive, the rising physical assaults remind us that high levels of anti-Semitism continue to jeopardize Jewish lives.” This complex trend reveals a disquieting reality: as the number of incidents dwindles, their potential for violence is escalating.
