First, the good news.
According to a 2009 audit by the Anti-Defamation League, the number of recorded anti-Semitic hate crimes committed in the United States dropped 13 percent from the year before.
And now the bad news: The level of vandalism, harassment and violence remains at what report authors call “a sustained and troubling level.” More than 1,200 incidents were reported nationwide, including 29 cases of physical assault on Jews.
Given its size, it’s not too surprising that California ranked at the top of the list when it came the number of anti-Semitic attacks. But what’s troubling is that the state saw a 22 percent increase in incidents, from 226 to 275 — though Bay Area incidents dropped from 2008 to 2009.
Even the good news isn’t so good, as some attribute the overall drop to new methodology for tracking data, and not because the anti-Semites of the world have begun changing their ways.
As our story on page 2 makes clear, much anti-Semitic hate speech in California originated in virulent anti-Israel and anti-Zionist circles, especially on college campuses.
The news should not surprise anyone who keeps tabs on the Bay Area Jewish community. This newspaper has covered countless anti-Israel protests, both on campuses and on the streets of San Francisco.
There can be no doubt the vitriol has increased. And when the spokespeople for anti-Israel forces spew violent rhetoric, it’s not a stretch to wonder whether some of their adherents might take things to the next step and commit violence.
We have always applauded the heroic work of the ADL and Jewish Community Relations Council, which respond quickly to anti-Semitism and build positive relationships with non-Jewish communities.
Much of their work is reactive, much of it behind the scenes. No doubt that work will go on. But in addition, the Jewish community must come up with new proactive strategies to short circuit anti-Jewish, anti-Israel and anti-Zionist hatred.
It may require an aggressive public relations effort. It may mean putting more pro-Israel activists on the streets and campuses to neutralize all the Israel bashing. Or it may take a full-court press to demand better police protection and more punitive consequences of hate.
We are far from the first to call for a comprehensive plan to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel fervor. Many of the finest minds in the Jewish community make it their business to ponder this issue.
Perhaps this sobering ADL report will add further incentive. We can no longer tolerate the intolerable. The pushback begins now.