Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Decline, But Remain the Most Reported Religion-Based Crimes

FBI data shows Jews are target of nearly two-thirds of religiously motivated hate crimes

Following the release of the latest FBI Reported Crimes in the Nation report, American Jewish Committee (AJC) remains alarmed that incidents against the Jewish community represent a disproportionate number of hate crime incidents in the United States.

According to the FBI report, released on Aug. 14, while anti-Jewish hate crime incidents in the U.S. declined 21% in the last year, these acts still account for the largest segment of religion-based hate crimes. The number of anti-Jewish incidents fell from 1,938 in 2024 to 1,528 in 2025. While Jews make up approximately 2% of the U.S. population, the community was the target of 14% of all hate crimes and 63.5% of religiously motivated hate crime incidents in 2025. According to AJC's State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report, almost one-third (31%) of American Jews say they were the personal target of antisemitism-in person or virtually-at least once over the last year.

Given that hate crimes are widely underreported across the country, it is likely that the number of religiously motivated and anti-Jewish incidents is actually greater than what is documented in the FBI report.

"American Jews are barely more than 2% of the U.S. population and yet represent 14% of all reported hate crimes," said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. "While we acknowledge the drop in anti-Jewish hate crimes, this offers limited comfort to the many American Jews who feel that violence, harassment, and discrimination against Jews is too often excused and normalized, and therefore likely not reported to the fullest extent We are urging all those in positions of power across society to work with us to continue this momentum and take new, concrete action to stand against anti-Jewish hate."

To better address the broader threats faced by the Jewish community, AJC is urging Congress to pass the Jewish American Security Act (S.4576 /H.R.9211). Led by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) and Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Mike Lawler (R-NY), this comprehensive legislation directly confronts the growing threat that antisemitism poses not only to the Jewish community, but also to the core values of American democracy.

Earlier this year, AJC released AJC's Combating Antisemitism Playbook which provides tailored recommendations for the Executive Branch, Congress, local and state government, law enforcement, among other key sectors.

AJC's State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report found that 77% of American Jews who were the target of an antisemitic incident-in person or online-did not report the event. More than half (55%) of American Jews say they changed their behavior in the past year out of fear of antisemitism.

Additionally, while the 2025 FBI report logged incidents from 372 additional agencies, up 2.3% from 2024, there are currently at least 50 localities with populations of 100,000 or more that have reported zero hate crimes, including Elizabeth, NJ; Hollywood, FL; Little Rock, AR; Montgomery, AL; Orange, CA; Savannah, GA; Suffolk, VA; Toledo, OH; and Waco, TX.

To improve hate crimes reporting, AJC has and continues to urge support for the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act (H.R.2588/S.3724). This legislation, led by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), would require law enforcement agencies representing populations of 100,000 or more to report hate crimes to the FBI or be subject to auditing and potentially denied federal grant opportunities.

AJC, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, thanks those in the White House, at the Department of Justice, FBI, in law enforcement at all levels, and elected leaders across the country who have made combating antisemitism and reporting hate crimes a priority.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .

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