ADL report finds most states all talk, no action on antisemitism

The leading states share common strategies that others could easily adopt: robust hate crime legislation, Holocaust and antisemitism education requirements, and strong campus protection policies.

By Jewish Breaking News

A study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows only nine states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia—are truly leading the fight against antisemitism through policy action.

All 50 states were evaluated based on 22 criteria across three key categories: prioritizing the fight against antisemitism, educating about the Jewish experience, and protecting Jewish communities.

While 29 states were classified as “progressing,” showing alignment with some key policies, a troubling 12 states were categorized as taking “limited action.”

“ADL has long been calling for a whole-of-government approach to fighting antisemitism, and the Jewish Policy Index fills a critical gap by providing a clear roadmap for states to support their Jewish communities,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director.

“With antisemitic incidents at record highs nationwide, we need more than rhetoric — we need real, measurable policy action.”

The leading states share common strategies that others could easily adopt: robust hate crime legislation, Holocaust and antisemitism education requirements, and strong campus protection policies.

These aren’t revolutionary concepts—they’re basic safeguards that should exist everywhere.

“This isn’t just a ranking — it’s a tool for change,” said Danny Barefoot, Senior Director of ADL’s Ratings and Assessments Institute.

“Fighting antisemitism requires more than outrage — it demands action, and that’s exactly what this Index is designed to drive.”

The urgency for multi-state action couldn’t be more pressing after FBI data released last week revealed that anti-Jewish hate crimes reached their highest level ever recorded in 2024, climbing 5.8% to 1,938 incidents.

Despite Jews comprising just 2% of the U.S. population, they were targeted in 16% of all reported hate crimes and nearly 70% of all religion-based hate crimes.

With hate crimes at record highs and most states still lagging in policy response, the Jewish Policy Index serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap for lawmakers who can no longer claim ignorance about what needs to be done.