Poll Reveals Concerns Among Jewish Americans Post-Hamas Attack

A new poll conducted by AP-NORC indicates that approximately 60% of Jewish adults in the United States feel less safe in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Additionally, around 30% of respondents reported experiencing verbal abuse, physical assaults, or property damage due to their Jewish identity.

The survey also highlights a division among Jewish Americans regarding the interpretation of protests related to Israel, with opinions varying on whether such demonstrations are anti-Semitic.

Gila Franklin-Segal, representing the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, noted a significant uptick in anti-Semitic incidents since the Hamas attack. She remarked on the increase in both violent acts and harsh rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, which she claims is coming from across the political spectrum.

Franklin-Segal emphasized that while the current situation escalates anti-Semitism in the U.S., this form of hatred has historical roots that predate the establishment of Israel. She cautioned against overstating the link between current events and anti-Semitism, pointing out that it is a long-standing issue.

In her observations, anti-Semitism has become a daily reality, manifesting in harassment outside places of worship and schools, as well as online. Franklin-Segal expressed concern for the safety of Jewish individuals, noting that her own family has faced anti-Semitic incidents directly targeting them.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).