Thread by @AAIUSA

THREAD: Let’s talk about the incidents of antisemitism we are seeing right now.

A key part of our work is combatting #hatecrime, specifically by strengthening hate crime laws and improving data collection. In addition to the immeasurable harm done to individuals and their families, hate crimes devastate entire communities.

Despite a well-documented problem of significant underreporting, federal hate crime data does help us understand trends.

And like hate targeting Black Americans, the AAPI community, Arab Americans, American Muslims, LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable communities, our country has seen an increase in antisemitism.

In 2017, hate crimes increased overall by 17% and Anti-Jewish hate crimes surged by 37%.

In 2018, despite a decrease in reported incidents overall, the data showed the highest number of violent Anti-Jewish hate crimes ever. Ever.

In 2019, the most recent data on record, we saw a 14% increase in Anti-Jewish hate crime incidents.

aaiusa.org/library/aai-st…

Like all hatred, antisemitism is deplorable. Period. If you are targeting members of the American Jewish community with violence or threats of violence, you are committing a hate crime.

If you show up to #FreePalestine and use antisemitism, we don’t want you. You cannot be an ally to any movement for justice, including the movement for Palestinian #humanrights, with hate and violence.

Just as we must all collectively condemn the very real growing problem of antisemitism, we must *NOT* conflate antisemitism with criticism of the Israeli govt or the political ideology of Zionism.

Our organization was established in 1985 because Arab Americans’ simple existence in American politics was unwelcome, as our voice was one of advocacy for Palestinian human rights.

We stand w/our allies in American Jewish community in unequivocal condemnation of antisemitism. We also stand in opposition to US policy enabling Israeli gov war crimes, ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, brutal occupation, & Israel as an apartheid state. Both things can be true.

Some may not like all the chants of the massive amounts of people protesting in support of Palestine but don’t buy the charge that statements of solidarity with Palestinians are antisemitic.

Let’s be clear: using anti-Jewish tropes to condemn Israeli actions is *NEVER* ok; opposing Israeli occupation and actions that violate the inalienable rights of Palestinians is *ALWAYS* the right thing to do. #StopHate #FreePalestine

Real antisemitism is on the rise. If you observe hate, there is something you can do to help the person being targeted. Attend a bystander training to learn more about what you can do.

advancingjustice-aajc.org/events

If you want to learn more about how you can help combat hate crimes against all targeted communities or how to stand up for the rights of Palestinians, join us. #StopHate #FreePalestine

aaiusa.org/our-work

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