ADL: Anti-Semitic Incidents Decline for Fourth Straight Year in U.S., According to...

ADL: Anti-Semitic Incidents Decline for Fourth Straight Year in U.S.,
According to Annual ADL Audit

JEWS #1 RELIGION GROUP TARGETED FOR HATE

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The number of reported
anti-Semitic incidents in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., held
steady, according to newly issued statistics from the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL).

According to ADL's Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, the number of reported
Anti-Semitic incidents in Maryland increased from 19 in 2007 to 22 in 2008.
These included 12 incidents of harassment and 10 reported cases of vandalism.
In Virginia, the reported number of incidents dropped from 13 in 2007 to 11 in
2008, and included 7 cases of harassment and 4 cases of vandalism. In
Washington, D.C., the number of incidents decreased from 15 in 2007 to 11 in
2008. The number of harassment incidents increased from 1 in 2007 to 6 in
2008, there was one physical assault, and 5 reported cases of vandalism.

The following are selected incidents of assaults, vandalism and harassment
reported to ADL in 2008. Additional examples, photos, graphics, and a
state-by-state summary of incidents are available on the League's Web site at
www.adl.org.

Vandalism: Selected Incidents in 2008

-- A synagogue was vandalized, its floodlights smashed and an Israeli
flag
burned
-- A synagogue was vandalized; Hitler smile face sticker and a National
Alliance Anti-Immigration sticker were found on the building
-- Jewish day school and synagogue vandalized with graffiti reading
"Nazi" and a swastika

Anti-Semitic Harassment: Selected Incidents in 2008

-- In front of a small business, a man stood with a sign saying, "Pay
$10 to punch a Jew" as a way to solicit business
-- National Socialist Order wrapped anti-Jewish and anti-black fliers
into
newspapers and circulated them onto people's front lawns

-- Anti-Jewish and Anti-Israel fliers scattered on people's front
lawns; fliers created to resemble government documents

The 2008 Audit comprises data from 40 states and the District of Columbia,
including official crime statistics as well as information provided to ADL's
regional offices by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders.
The Audit identifies criminal acts, such as vandalism, violence and threats of
violence, as well as non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation,
including hate propaganda, leafleting and verbal slurs.

The Audit distinguishes three categories of incidents: "Physical Assaults,"
which refers to physical attacks on Jewish individuals; "Vandalism," which
refers to anti-Semitic property damage; and "Harassment," which includes
verbal, written or electronic messages, speeches, demonstrations or rallies
where anti-Semitic ideas are articulated. In 2007 and in previous years the
Audit had only two categories: "Assaults," which included attacks on Jews and
on property; and "Harassment."

The Audit is evaluated by ADL's professional staff and provides an annual
snapshot of a nationwide problem. The Audit also identifies possible trends or
changes in the types of activity reported. This information assists ADL in
developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of
anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

David C. Friedman, +1-202-452-8310, or Emily Friedman +1-202-452-8310, both of
Anti-Defamation League