Maryland had dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents, report shows
BALTIMORE -- Jewish hate crimes are seeing a shocking uptick across the country.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that works to stop hate against Jewish community, there were 3,697 reports of Jewish hate crimes in 2022 in the U.S.—the most they've ever recorded.
"That is mind-boggling and it should be completely unacceptable to all of us," Anti-Defamation League Director Jonathan Greenblatt said.
That uptick is being felt in Maryland.
In 2022, there 109 antisemitic incidents in the state, up 98% from the year before. Sixty-three of those incidents were harassment. Forty-three of those incidents were vandalism and three were reported assaults.
Some of the incidents hit close to home.
Last month, antisemitic flyers were found in a neighborhood in Parkville.
Back then WJZ spoke to the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, Howard Libit. We reached back out to him about the ADL report.
"Obviously, it's really troubling," Libit said. "It's not really a surprise."
He's not the only one weighing in, so is Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
"I want everyone in Maryland to hear me clearly—hate has no home in our state," Moore said in a statement on Thursday. "The recent rise in hate crimes against the Jewish community is absolutely unacceptable. I spoke to the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, and we will work together to create a safe and inclusive Maryland. As Governor, one of my chief responsibilities is to ensure the safety of Marylanders across the state, and I refuse to allow these alarming actions to go unnoticed."
Libit said we must band together to stand up to this hate.
"When another community is under attack because of hate we have to stand with them and then they can stand with us," Libit said.
The Baltimore Jewish Council has also been working to help faith groups protect themselves in event of an emergency.
The council held an active shooter training in park heights earlier this week.