Increase in Violent Anti-Semitic Incidents in Los Angeles for 2025
New findings from the Anti-Defamation League suggest that 2025 will see a rise in violent anti-Semitic incidents in Los Angeles, marking it as a potentially tragic year for American Jews.
Across the United States, the ADL reported 6,274 anti-Semitic incidents, like assaults, harassment, and vandalism, which averages out to about 17 incidents a day. This indicates a decline overall compared to 2024’s total of 9,354 incidents, yet the more violent incidents are on the rise.
David Englin, who serves as the Los Angeles Regional Senior Director, highlighted this contradiction, pointing out that while harassment incidents have decreased, the uptick in violence remains a serious concern.
“The overall stats look better because harassment is down,” Englin remarked. “But the spike in violent incidents is troubling.” Assaults specifically rose by 4%, increasing from 196 to 203 cases, with incidents involving deadly weapons rising 39%, from 23 to 32. These attacks resulted in at least 300 people suffering physical assaults, with three fatalities in anti-Semitic attacks—this marked the first such death since 2019.
Reports of these incidents emerged from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but the highest numbers were seen in New York, California, and New Jersey. California alone saw 817 cases, placing it second nationwide.
In 2025, Los Angeles reported 419 incidents down from 532 the previous year. Yet, assault cases in this area increased by 22%, from 18 to 22, which is the highest number recorded locally.
Interestingly, incidents in Los Angeles have surged by 130% over the past five years, uncovering a long-term trend that continues despite annual decreases.
Englin conveyed the gravity, stating, “Basically, every other week, someone was violently attacked for being Jewish in the Los Angeles area.”
Notably, Los Angeles has the third-largest Jewish community globally, following Israel and New York. California stands second in the U.S. for Jewish populations, estimated at around 1.2 to 1.25 million, with a significant portion living in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles County.
Englin also expressed concern over the rising violence, saying it needs immediate attention. Last year saw the highest number of violent anti-Semitic assaults since the ADL began tracking data in 1979, which he emphasized as unprecedented.
The ADL’s audit encompasses both criminal and non-criminal incidents, offering a comprehensive view beyond official hate crime statistics. Such incidents, like bullying in schools and anti-Semitic graffiti, may not always qualify as crimes but are still documented by the organization.
Englin noted, “We investigate and validate any reports we receive to determine if they are indeed anti-Semitic incidents.” This vigilance extends to avoiding mischaracterizing political protests—distinguishing between legitimate expression and anti-Semitic sentiments expressed during such events.
Concerns have also arisen from specific incidents, like a December episode where eight San Jose high school students formed a swastika on a soccer field, prompting community shock and dismay.
While the overall number of incidents in 2025 might have decreased, the surge in violent attacks, especially in Los Angeles, indicates a troubling escalation that organizations like the ADL are keenly monitoring.
