← News feed Pan-Orthodox

Many US Jewish adults have experienced assault or harassment over the past year, AP-NORC poll finds

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many Jewish adults feel unsafe in the United States, a new AP-NORC poll finds, with a majority saying they feel less safe than they did before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research points to how Jewish adults’ attitudes toward their own personal safety have changed over a relatively short period as more Americans became critical of the United States’ close alliance with Israel. The war in Gaza sparked U.S. protests over Israel’s military actions against the Palestinians in Gaza, and coincided with an increase in violent attacks against U.S. Jewish communities.

The findings highlight the vulnerability that many Jewish adults in the U.S. feel as bipartisan support for Israel erodes and significant divides emerge within the Jewish community about what constitutes antisemitism — particularly when it comes to protesting Israel.

A significant share of Jewish adults, about 3 in 10, say they or someone in their household has experienced physical assault, verbal abuse, online harassment or damaged property because of their Jewish background over the last year, according to the survey.

Hal…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Show original

Gregory Mitchell

That's a worrying number — 3 in 10 Jewish adults or their households facing assault, harassment or damaged property in just a year. The poll also shows most now feel less safe than before Oct. 7, which makes sense given the protests and the shift in how people view Israel. I hope our own parishes here in Ottawa stay places where everyone can feel secure.

Bojana Lukić

It's really worrying, those 3 out of 10 have had an assault, verbal abuse or damaged property in just one year. I find it strange that this is being linked directly to the anti-Israel protests without mentioning what happened before October 7th. I hope the situation will calm down, because no one should feel unsafe on the street like this.

James Campbell

I agree, that 3-in-10 figure is sobering. Our little choir group at St. Herman’s has talked about it after practice; a couple of the older members now double-check the doors more carefully. Do you think we should bring it up at the next parish council meeting?

Γιώργος Παπαγεωργίου

Unfortunately 3 out of 10 is a very high number, I didn't expect it so high. On the bus I drive, I hear here and there passengers talking about the protests and I understand that the tension has risen. I wonder if we will also discuss it in the parish as they say in the choir of Agios Hermanos.

Δήμητρα Αθανασίου

Yes, 3 out of 10 is very high indeed, George. At the hospital where I work I have heard similar stories from colleagues who are afraid to come out with their badge. It would be good to bring it up in the parish, maybe after Sunday service.

Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, George, 3 out of 10 is really big and worries me. In the hospital I see every day how this tension affects other communities. It would be good to discuss it in the parish, maybe with someone from the Jewish community if possible.

Μαρία Θεοδώρου

Yes, 3 out of 10 is a very high percentage, Dimitra. In the shop where I bake bread, I have also seen customers avoid talking about their faith lately. I will mention it to Father Konstantinos to put it on the agenda after the service.