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State of antisemitism in the US ‘is really scary,’ says Jewish NFL owner

Kraft recently donated $100 million to his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.

By Shiryn Ghermezian, The Algemeiner

New England Patriots owner and Jewish billionaire Robert Kraft warned of the ongoing surge in antisemitism across the US on Monday, emphasizing the importance of combating increased hostility and discrimination toward the American Jewish community.

“If we don’t do a good job of controlling it, I think hate leads to violence. And what we’re seeing going on in this country now is really scary to me,” Kraft, who founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism four years ago, said during an interview on CNN. The NFL owner added that he is concerned about antisemitism affecting other minorities if it is not stopped.

“Most people are good, but when you start seeing hate and it starts with Jewish hate, there will be hate against all minorities,” Kraft said. “You’re next.”

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war that began with the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in the Jewish state, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism has been busy countering misinformation online. “Fifty percent of what’s being spread is lies and not accurate, and young people unfortunately are believing,” Kraft explained.

He added that his foundation has seen a rise in small donations from Americans who want to contribute to the fight against hatred. Kraft himself recently matched a $100 million donation to his foundation to help fight antisemitism.

Drawing awareness of antisemitism is something that hits close to home for Kraft. He told CNN: “I had people who didn’t want to do business with me. They thought I had horns in my head. They had never met someone from my background and it just allows you to work harder.”