ADL Survey Reveals Alarming Mainstream Acceptance of Antisemitic Narratives Amid Rising Violence
In the wake of a string of violent attacks on Jewish Americans—including an arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence and fatal assaults in Washington, DC and Boulder, Colorado—the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Center for Antisemitism Research has released a sobering nationwide survey exposing deeply entrenched and increasingly normalized antisemitic attitudes in the United States.
The survey, conducted on June 10, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,000 Americans, found that nearly one in four Americans (24%) described recent antisemitic violence as “understandable,” while an equal percentage claimed the incidents were “false flag” operations staged to generate sympathy for Israel. Even more disturbingly, 15% called the attacks “necessary,” 14% dismissed them as not qualifying as hate crimes, and 13% said they were “justified.”
Despite this, a majority—60% of Americans—acknowledged antisemitism as a serious national issue. Concern spanned the political spectrum, with 25% of Democrats and 23% of Republicans expressing apprehension about antisemitism within their own parties.
Age and Generational Gaps
The survey highlighted significant generational divides:
- 80% of the Silent Generation and 64% of Baby Boomers recognize antisemitism as a serious problem.
- Among Millennials and Gen Z, concern dropped to just over 50%, signaling a generational shift in perception.
“These findings are chilling,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “As the Jewish community mourns the victims of recent antisemitic attacks, it’s unacceptable that a quarter of Americans find this violence understandable or justified. This reveals how deeply antisemitic narratives have seeped into the mainstream.”
Enduring Antisemitic Tropes
The survey also found that traditional antisemitic tropes remain alarmingly prevalent:
- 34% believe Jewish Americans are more loyal to Israel than the U.S.
- 30% think Jews have too much influence in politics and media.
- 27% feel Jewish Americans should be held responsible for Israeli government actions.
Divided Views on Anti-Israel Protests
Perceptions of anti-Israel protests also reflected generational divisions:
- 29% of all Americans view these protests favorably, a number that jumps to 59% among Gen Z, but drops with age—only 16% of Baby Boomers and 27% of the Silent Generation expressed support.
- 58% said terms like “Zionist” are used to refer broadly to Jews, and 68% believe slogans like “Globalize the Intifada” or “From the River to the Sea” heighten the risk of violence.
- Notably, 34% admitted they do not understand what “anti-Zionism” actually means.
Strong Support for Action
Amid these troubling attitudes, the survey revealed a clear public mandate for action:
- 82% support removing online hate speech that glorifies violence.
- 77% support greater government intervention to fight antisemitism at federal, state, and local levels.
“This is a moment of both urgency and opportunity,” said Matt Williams, Vice President of the ADL Center for Antisemitism Research. “While millions hold dangerous views, a strong majority of Americans reject antisemitism and want to see meaningful action. We must seize this momentum before hateful rhetoric becomes normalized.”
The findings come as law enforcement and advocacy groups warn of a sustained rise in antisemitic incidents following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, further underscoring the need for vigilance and broad societal engagement to confront this growing threat.
