ADL: Anti-Semitic attacks, plots incited by Pittsburgh synagogue massacre

As the anniversary of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre that left 11 people dead approaches, the anti-Defamation League reports that Jews are no safer in the United States and continue to face threats.

Since the Oct. 27 shooting last year, 12 white supremacists have been arrested for attacking, plotting to attack or threatening to attack Jews. And, at least 50 incidents have been reported in which white supremacists are believed to have targeted Jewish properties in the past year.

“It is horrifying that in the year since the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history, at least a dozen white supremacists were arrested after threatening to target Jewish houses of worship,” —ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt

The ADL said its nationwide count of anti-Semitic incidents remains near record levels with 780 incidents in the first six months of this year, compared to 785 incidents during the same period in 2018.

The Pittsburgh shooting supposedly inspired John T. Earnest, who is charged with killing one person and wounding three in a shooting at a California synagogue. Ernest himself said in online posts that attacks in Pittsburgh and on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand inspired his own.

The ADL monitors the internet for extremist, anti-Semitic posts and shares information with law enforcement, which has resulted in arrests and thwarted attacks. In August, the FBI arrested a Las Vegas man accused of plotting to firebomb a synagogue and other targets, including an LGTBQ bar and an ADL office.

“We cannot and will not rest easy knowing the threat posed by white supremacists and other extremists against the Jewish community is clear and present,” Greenblatt said. “We are proud of our collaborative efforts with law enforcement to prevent such tragedies from taking place and ensuring would-be perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to justice.”