Organizations in North Texas have continued to speak out about the risk of violence toward the Jewish community as antisemitic incidents rise nationwide amid the war between Hamas and Israel.
The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum released a statement saying that it is “shocked by the alarming antisemitism erupting worldwide” in the wake of the terrorist attack by Hamas, “but sadly, not surprised.”
“Antisemitism is often referred to as the world’s oldest hatred. The history of anti-Jewish prejudice runs deep and extends back for millennia,” the statement read.
“As a museum devoted to the study of history, we understand the devastating consequences of unchecked antisemitism. We know it led to the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis as the world largely stood by and watched, or worse still, was complicit.”
A report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) states that there has been a significant rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the initial attack by Hamas on October 7.
The ADL reported that there were 312 incidents between the terrorist attack and October 25, a 388% increase compared to the 64 reported during the same period in 2022.
Of the 312 incidents, the ADL states that 190 can be directly attributed to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, condemned Hamas’ attacks and said the increasing number of incidents has been “disturbing.”
“When conflict erupts in Israel, antisemitic incidents soon follow in the U.S. and globally,” suggested Greenblatt in the report.
“From white supremacists in California displaying antisemitic banners on highway overpasses to radical anti-Zionists harassing Jewish people because of their real or perceived support for the Jewish state, we are witnessing a disturbing rise in antisemitic activity here while the war rages overseas.”
Dallas has seen its own evidence of this, including protests drawing pro-Hamas demonstrators calling for an end to Israel and the painting of messages reading “Zionism = Nazism” on a college campus, as The Dallas Express has covered extensively.
In addition to speaking out about the rise in antisemitic incidents here at home, local entities have also been taking action to support those in the wartorn region.
Dallas-based Christian organization Passages has been raising money to send to Israeli communities in need, collecting over $600,000 since the war began.
Scott Phillips, Passages CEO, said the group is “committed to showing them that they have friends in the Christian community who are willing to be bold and speak up in support,” reported CBS Texas.
“If our Jewish friends are afraid, are fearing for their lives, we must let them know they’re not alone,” he added.
Similarly, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has proclaimed his support of Israel since the conflict first began, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The governor has been adamant in demonstrating that Texas “condemns these heinous acts of violence and inhumanity against Israel and its people by ruthless terrorists, and we stand ready to offer our complete support to the Israeli and Jewish communities.”
To show his support, Abbott expedited the disbursement of $4 million to 31 Jewish organizations to fund security enhancements just two days after Hamas’ attack.
He also asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to collaborate with local partners and federal intelligence agencies to identify potential risks and improve the safety of the Jewish community.
Later in October, Abbott further directed the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission to prepare a report on strategies Texas can employ to combat rapidly accelerating antisemitism in the state.
