The Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ “2024 Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents Report,” co-signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, reveals a troubling surge in antisemitic incidents.
According to the report, antisemitic incidents are one of the most prevalent among documented hate crimes in Chicago, with 50 registered incidents so far this year. These anti-Jewish hate crimes constitute 40% of all reported hate crimes in the city. There have been 28 anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, and 19 anti-Black hate crimes.
Other communities also suffered from hate crimes, including Latino, 7; Asian, 4; Muslim, 3; Arab, 2; and Hindu, 1. Given that many members of Chicagoland’s Jewish community reside in the suburbs and are not included in these statistics, it is likely that the overall situation in our metropolitan area is even more concerning.
These numbers are alarming in their absolute volume and their proportionate share. In a city celebrated for its diversity and cultural richness, the Jewish community is bearing the brunt of religious intolerance. This disturbing pattern is not unique to Chicago but is reflective of a broader national issue, as highlighted by the FBI’s 2022 Hate Crime Statistics report.
Nationally, the FBI data underscores the fact that antisemitic hate crimes are the most significant category of religious-based hate crimes in the United States. In 2022, there were 1,124 reported incidents targeting Jews, constituting around 55% of all religious-based hate crimes. These figures reveal a stark reality: Jews are disproportionately targeted for their faith more than any other religious group in the country. The dramatic surge of Jew hatred documented since Oct. 7 makes the situation only more alarming.
The Jewish community, along with other minority groups, including Arab and Muslim communities, have long suffered from hate crimes perpetrated by extremists on the far right, including white supremacists and neo-Nazis. The tragic memories of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh still linger. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of 11 people, making it the deadliest attack against Jews in U.S. history. We are also still mourning the senseless killing of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, who was fatally stabbed at his home in Plainfield because of his Muslim identity.
However, a new and growing challenge is confronting the Jewish and pro-Israel community in the U.S., including Chicago. Increasingly, incidents of antisemitism are originating not only from the far right but also from the far left and some Muslim and Arab organizations. Since Oct. 7, these expressions of antisemitism have surged.
Jewish students have not only been physically and verbally targeted on university campuses, but also in elementary, middle and high schools, including Chicago public schools. Jewish professionals and Jewish businesses have been singled out and boycotted for being “Zionist” — a thinly veiled dog whistle for “Jew.” (Meta recently announced it would expand its policies on social media platforms to classify the misuse of the term “Zionist,” a proxy for “Jews,” as hate speech.) Jews have been targeted in public spaces for wearing Jewish symbols such as the Star of David or kippah. Most recently, Jewish elected officials Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider had their private residences targeted by “pro-Palestinian” demonstrators banging drums, blowing horns and screaming antisemitic chants.
These are the same groups that called July Fourth a “terrorist holiday” and burned the American flag in the heart of Chicago. It should come as no surprise. The director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, recently acknowledged the vehemently anti-American Iranian regime’s increasing efforts to influence protests in the U.S. regarding the war in Gaza, including “actors tied to Iran’s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests, and even providing financial support to protesters.”
The impact of these newer forms of antisemitism on the Jewish community has been profound, exacting both a physical and heavy emotional toll by creating an environment of fear and insecurity.
In the face of this, I find it surprising and disheartening that so much political capital has been invested to pass a highly divisive, controversial resolution regarding Israel and Gaza in the City Council, while Chicago leaders are at a loss for words when it comes to Jew hatred in their own city.
Fighting hate crimes is not about politics; it’s about people’s lives. Silence is not an option. It is time for the mayor to publicly denounce and take decisive action against this spike of antisemitism in his city, especially when it involves those within his political circle.
Yinam Cohen is the consul general of Israel to the Midwest.
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