Variety of Developments Sparked Increase in Anti-semitism in U.S.

The sharp in crease in anti-Semitic incidents in America in the last year is due to a variety of domestic and international developments, according to the Task Force on anti-Semitic Vandalism, convened by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and made up of psychiatrists, social scientists, educators, law enforcement officials and government representatives from six states and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Melvin Tumin of Princeton University, speaking at a press conference here yesterday afternoon at the end of a two-day closed session of the Task Force, said that recent anti-Semitic incidents are the “tip of the iceberg.” He said that the “dormant anti-Semitism in American society” is surfacing. He observed that the 25-member Task Force saw a connection between the emergence of rightwing groups in America, such as the American Nazi Party and the Ku Klux Klan, the growing economic difficulties and the resurgence of anti-Semitism.

“Jews serve as scapegoats” for the frustration and bitterness over the increased price of oil and inflation, Tumin said. He also said that anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda by the Arabs and UN resolutions such as Zionism equals racism also contributed to anti-Semitism.

Theodore Freedman, director of ADL’s program division, said that among recommendations suggested by the Task Force was to seek the creation of a coalition of all minority groups in America to combat racism and anti-Semitism. The ADL, he added, also, plans to seek meetings with representatives of the media to urge them to report on anti-Semitic incidents with the “right perspective” and do more reporting on the apprehension of the vandals who commit anti-Semitic acts.