There has been an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents in the United States in recent years, and these incidents have spiked since Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has taken action to help mayors speak out against these incidents when they occur and to reduce and prevent antisemitism in the future. Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City, U.S. Conference of Mayors Second Vice President, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio, Chair of our Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Compassionate Cities, lead this work.

This page highlights actions mayors have taken collectively through the Conference and offers information that should be helpful to them in their efforts to combat antisemitism.

Leadership

Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez

Mayor David Holt
USCM Vice President
Leader | Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate and Extremism

Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez

Mayor Ron Nirenberg
Chair | Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Compassionate and Equitable Cities

Resources

Information Specifically Related to Increased Incidents of Antisemitism and Other Forms of Hate Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas Invasion of Israel
Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

AJC and The U.S. Conference of Mayors have partnered on “A Mayor’s Guide to Countering Antisemitism: Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.” Mayors are often on the front line of combating antisemitism, protecting Jewish communities, and supporting American values. The guide provides suggestions for actions mayors can take to implement the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.

U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

On May 25, 2023, the Biden-⁠Harris Administration released the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. That strategy includes over 100 new actions and over 100 calls to action to combat antisemitism, including new actions to counter antisemitism on college campuses and online; a whole-of-society strategy includes new stakeholder commitments. HERE is a fact sheet on it.

Mayors’ Statement in Support of Jewish American Heritage Month

In 2023, 130 mayors pledged to observe May as Jewish American Heritage Month in their cities. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney led this effort. HERE is the statement and list of mayors who signed it.

The State of Antisemitism in America 2023

Released February 12, 2024, the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report shows that nearly half (46%) of American Jews changed their behavior out of fear of antisemitism in 2023, a significant increase compared to previous years (38% in 2022, and 39% in 2021). This annual report provides unique insights by exploring how rising antisemitism is affecting the everyday lives of American Jews — in public, at school, and work — as well as how the general population perceives the threat of anti-Jewish hate over time.

Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2022

In March 2023, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2022, its annual tracking of incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in the United States. In 2022, ADL tabulated 3,697 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States, a 36% increase from the 2,717 incidents tabulated in 2021 and the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979.

Mayors United Against Antisemitism

In 2021 more than 500 mayors across the United States joined a national effort to combat antisemitism led by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and AJC. The two organizations, which have partnered on other projects, called on mayors across the country to sign a statement declaring that antisemitism is incompatible with fundamental democratic values. A full list of mayors can be found HERE.