Jewish advocates denounce doubling of antisemitic incidents in Indiana

Reports of antisemitic incidents more than doubled in Indiana last year, according to a study released Tuesday. Hoosier Jewish community leaders gathered to denounce the results as “deeply alarming” at an afternoon news conference in Indianapolis.

“These are not just statistics. It’s a wake-up call,” said Jeff Linkon, executive director of Indiana University’s chapter of Hillel International. “It tells us that antisemitism is not just rising. It is emboldened. It’s becoming more visible, more public, and yes, more dangerous.”

The Anti-Defamation League’s annual “Audit of Antisemitic Incidents” tabulated more than 9,000 incidents nationally in 2024 — the highest since tabulations began in 1979. For the first time, a majority were related to Israel or Zionism.

That includes 142 incidents reported in Indiana, more than double the 59 incidents recorded in 2023. The Hoosier state only counted 33 in 2022 and 16 in 2021.

“Why the increase?” asked David Goldenberg, who leads the league’s Midwest chapter.

He acknowledged the league is “doing a better job” tracking incidents, and more people are reporting them. But underreporting “remains part of the problem.”

“The larger story, though, is the Jewish community is being targeted with hate in ways that we have not experienced in generations,” Goldenberg said.

The increase aligns with a 2023 attack on Israel by several Palestinian militant groups — in which more than 1,200 civilians and soldiers were killed, per Israel — that sparked a still-raging war. Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinian civilians and combatants and 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed, Reuters reported.

Also in 2023, the league changed its methodology to include “certain expressions of opposition to Zionism” in the study, plus support for violent resistance to Israel or Zionists.

The league uses incident reports from victims, law enforcement, the media and partner organizations. One of two conditions must apply: “circumstances indicate anti-Jewish animus on the part of the perpetrator” or one could “plausibly conclude that they have been victimized due to their Jewish identity.”

“The annual audit provides us more than just critical data,” Linkon said. “It gives us clarity and direction, and it reminds us that combating antisemitism is not just a Jewish responsibility, it’s a community responsibility.”

Goldenberg, meanwhile, called for a “whole-society” approach featuring government and educational institution involvement.

He described a March executive order from Indiana Gov. Mike Braun as a “good example of the role that government can play to create safe spaces for students,” but added, “We would encourage him to do more.”

University administrators also “need to do more,” Goldenberg continued, although he congratulated IU — a former site of major protests — and Purdue University on their work.

“Third, and perhaps most importantly, it’s something that we can all do: we can all speak out when we see hate and we see anti semitism be directed towards someone who is Jewish,” he said. “Don’t say silent. Speak out. Challenge it.”