Boca Raton, FL, March 14, 2007…The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Florida declined 10 percent in 2006, according to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents issued today.

A total of 179 incidents were reported across Florida in 2006, with 142 incidents of harassment and 37 incidents of vandalism.  The state ranks fourth in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents, behind New York, New Jersey and California. Previously in 2005, ADL's Audit reported 199 anti-Jewish incidents in Florida.

"Despite the decline of anti-Semitic incidents in Florida, anti-Semitism remains a concern to the Anti-Defamation League and our dedication to fight anti-Semitism is stronger than ever," said Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director.

The Audit's results in Florida reflect the 2006 national trend, which also saw a decrease in anti-Semitic incidents.  The League's national Audit counted a total of 1,554 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States in 2006, representing a 12 percent decline from 1,757 reported in 2005.

The Audit comprises data from across Florida, including information provided to ADL's Florida regional office by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders.  The Audit identifies both criminal acts, such as vandalism, violence and threats of violence, and non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation, including hate propaganda, leafleting and verbal slurs.

"While the overall number of anti-Semitic incidents in Florida decreased, there was a 32 percent increase in incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism," said Dennis G. Kainen, ADL Florida Regional Chair.  "Vandalism tends to have a larger and more visceral community impact as a result of its immediate visibility. The ADL is pleased that in many cases there was community-wide condemnation of such abhorrent bigotry and hatred.  The ADL continues to believe that we must be ever-vigilant in condemning all forms of hatred and bigotry."

Sampling of 2006 Anti-Semitic Incidents of Vandalism in Florida:

• A synagogue in Miami was targeted with swastikas, hate group symbols and anti-Semitic graffiti reading "U R next." (July 2006)
• Members of a neo-Nazi group painted swastikas and other graffiti on the walls of a gated housing community in Boca Raton. (August 2006)
• A Judaica store in West Boca Raton was vandalized.  Swastikas and the words, "Bun (sic) the Jews" were scrawled across the windows. (May 2006)
• A Judaica store in Miami was targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti and hate group symbols. (July 2006)
• A home in Hollywood was vandalized in the middle of the night. Swastikas and anti-Semitic messages were painted on the home and property was damaged. (June 2006)
• A swastika and other anti-Semitic graffiti were discovered near a beach in Tampa. (December 2006)
• Swastikas and the words, "All Jews report to the ovens" were found on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. (December 2006)

Security for Jewish Institutions

Although the Anti-Defamation League advocates for improved security measures at Jewish institutions, synagogues and schools 365 days a year, the need for even more heightened security emerged in the aftermath of the fatal shooting at the Greater Seattle Jewish Federation by an Islamic extremist last summer. That attack and others underscored the continuing threat to Jewish community institutions, particularly at a time of escalated conflict in the Middle East.  Tensions from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and last summer's war in southern Lebanon simmered over to U.S. college campuses and into anti-war protests. 

The ADL Florida Office continues to closely partner with local law enforcement agencies to provide security awareness seminars to Jewish institutions and to provide extensive guidelines for target-hardening Jewish community institutions. 

While perceived unwavering Jewish support for Israel apparently fueled some of the reported incidents in 2006 nationwide, other issues on the national landscape included anti-Jewish harassment and intimidation in the schools, anti-Semitic activity on the college campus, and public activity by organized neo-Nazi and other hate groups.

About the ADL Audit

The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs. Compiled using official crime statistics, as well as information provided by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders, the Audit is evaluated by ADL's professional staff and provides an annual snapshot of a nationwide problem. The Audit also identifies possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported.  This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.