24% of Americans Harbor Extensive Antisemitic Prejudice, Up From 20% in 2022, Survey Finds

[Behind the Aegis]

The number of Americans who hold antisemitic beliefs increased to 24 percent, up from 20 percent in 2022, according to a survey conducted by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Center for Antisemitism Research. And in contrast to years prior in which older generations were more likely to harbor extensive antisemitic prejudice than younger generations, this survey found Millennials and Generation Z have surpassed older Americans and agree with more anti-Jewish tropes than any other generational cohort.

The survey of a representative sample of more than 4,000 U.S. adults with a margin of error of 1.5% asked the extent to which Americans agreed with 11 different statements about anti-Jewish tropes used to measure antisemitic attitudes since 1964, as well as statements about Israel. Millennials agree with the greatest number of anti-Jewish tropes on average, at 5.37. They’re followed by Gen Z at 5.01, Gen X at 4.19, and Baby Boomers at 3.06.

ADL’s survey also found that 27 percent of Americans would find it at least somewhat acceptable for a close family member to support Hamas, and 24 percent of Americans have a close friend or family member who dislike Jews. In total, more than 42 percent of Americans either have friends/family who dislike Jews or find it socially acceptable for a close family member to support Hamas.

“After decades of antisemitism mostly keeping to the fringes of society, it is shocking to see the number of Americans who openly hold antisemitic beliefs increase so significantly in recent years,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “And the sharp reversal, from older generations to younger generations being more likely to hold antisemitic beliefs, is a terrifying concern for our future. The need for better solutions is more urgent than ever – before this dangerous momentum keeps growing.”

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