ADL: SCOPE AND TYPE OF ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS IN LATEST REPORT FROM CST UK DEEPLY CONCERNING;

Commends London Mayor for Unwavering Support in Wake of Recent Incidents

New York, NY, February 2, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today voiced deep concern over the findings of a newly published report by the Community Security Trust (CST), which found that the number of anti-Semitic incidents across the United Kingdom increased 36 percent in 2016.

            In its annual report, the CST documented 1,309 anti-Semitic incidents in the U.K. last year, including 22 percent of the overall total number of incidents involving anti-Semitism on social media and 65 incidents of vandalism, including anti-Semitic graffiti and threats. According to the organization, the threats represented the highest volume ever recorded in these specific categories, despite the fact they say that there was no specific “trigger event” in 2016 which lead to past spikes in anti-Semitism. There is no obvious single cause for the record total of anti-Semitic incidents in 2016.

            “The scope and type of anti-Semitic incidents in this latest CST report are deeply concerning,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Anti-Semitism remains an undeniable reality in Europe and elsewhere around the globe.

            “We stand in solidarity with our partners in the U.K. Jewish community,” Mr. Greenblatt said. “We are also heartened by the strong stand by many in the British government and political establishment against this hate, and note in particular the statements by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who has unwaveringly stood strong against anti-Semitism.

            In October 2016, ADL released a report detailing a troubling, year-long rise in anti-Semitic hate targeting journalists on Twitter and in 2014, conducted a poll in 100 countries which found that more than one-quarter of those surveyed are infected with anti-Semitic attitudes.