Pandemic gives rise to antisemitic ‘Zoombombing’; Federal hate crime charges filed in Ahmaud Arbery death; NY synagogues vandalized

April 30, 2021

THE WEEK’S BIG 3

ADL counted 196 cases of antisemitic “Zoombombing” attacks in the U.S. last year, including 114 against Jewish institutions, according to its annual report released this week. Three Georgia men were indicted on federal hate crime charges in connection with the death of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was shot to death while jogging through a South Georgia neighborhood last year. Authorities in New York City are looking for the suspect who vandalized four Jewish synagogues in what the Anti-Defamation League is calling a "brazen series of attacks."

Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.

1) Pandemic Gives Rise to Antisemitic ‘Zoombombing’

“Intruders disrupting video conferences on Zoom and other platforms offset a dramatic drop in antisemitic incidents in more traditional settings, according to the ADL, which provided The Associated Press with a copy of the report ahead of its release.” Associated Press: FULL STORY

+ READ: Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2020

+ WATCH Jonathan Greenblatt on CNN: U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Reach 3rd Highest Total on Record

2) Three Indicted on Federal Hate Crime Charges in Ahmaud Arbery Shooting

“The suspects — Travis McMichael, 35; his father, Gregory McMichael, 65; and William Bryan, 51, all of whom are white — were each charged with one count of interference with Mr. Arbery’s right to use a public street because of his race. They were also charged with one count of attempted kidnapping.” The New York Times: READ MORE

+ ADL tweet: Thank you to AG Garland, @TheJusticeDept and @FBI for working to bringing us a step closer to justice.

+ ADL Hate Crime Map

3) New York Synagogues Vandalized in 'Brazen' Attacks, Surveillance Video Released

“Police released surveillance video of one attack, which took place on Saturday at about 10:45 p.m. The suspect threw rocks at the windows of the Young Israel of Riverdale Synagogue in the Bronx, shattering the glass, the New York Police Department said. Three other synagogues, all in Riverdale, were also targeted, and had broken windows due to thrown rocks, police said.” ABC News: LEARN MORE

+ ADL New York/New Jersey tweet: As we continue to monitor this evolving situation, ADL is now offering $2500, in addition to the NYPD reward, for information leading to the arrest & conviction of the perpetrator(s). If you have relevant information please contact @NYPDTips

+ ADL H.E.A.T Map

KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS

• Thanks @JoeBiden for acknowledging what @ADL has been saying: #whitesupremacy is terrorism, a clear and present danger to the homeland, and it demands all of our energy if we hope to stop it…
• Troubling report out of Austria. Violent antisemitic incidents in the country doubled in 2020 and total incidents hit an all-time high…
• The lack of transparency in the killing of Andrew Brown Jr., is unacceptable. His family and the community at-large deserve answers…

IN THE COMMUNITY

• NY Leads Nation in Antisemitic Attacks, Despite Sharp Decline in 2020, ADL Says (NBC New York)
• “Zoombombing,” swastikas, expletives: Antisemitic incidents in Colorado remained historically high in 2020 (Denver Post)
• Antisemitic incidents in California remain at historic high (OC Register)

ADL IN THE NEWS

• Human Rights Watch says Israel has crossed ‘apartheid’ threshold (JTA)
• Nearly every state has a hate-crime law. Why don’t more people use them? (The Washington Post)
• How stopping Asian intolerance improves overall inclusivity (ABC News – Jonathan Greenblatt interviewed)