Fewer anti-Semitic incidents were reported nationwide in 2011 than in 2010 — yet hate crimes against Jews appear to be on the rise in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the Anti-Defamation League’s just-released annual audit reveals.
Such incidents went from 38 to 43 in Connecticut and from 64 to 72 in Massachusetts, said ADL Regional Director Derrek Shulman, who noted that the Internet “has breathed new life” into destructive stereotypes.
Incidents dropped in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, according to the audit, and decreased by 9.5 percent nationally.
The audit uses data from law enforcement, victims and community leaders on harassment and intimidation, including threats, slurs and propaganda distribution.