The Daily Jonathan Greenblatt on Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism and Free Speech
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Aug 9, 2025 
Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, shares his insights on the rising tide of antisemitism in America. He discusses the fine line between anti-Zionism and legitimate protest, especially on college campuses. Greenblatt reflects on personal experiences with Jewish identity and sheds light on the complex interplay of free speech and hate speech. He also emphasizes the moral dilemmas of the Gaza conflict, advocating for both humanitarian aid and a nuanced understanding of the historical context surrounding these issues.
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Record High Antisemitic Incidents
- ADL recorded 2024 as its worst year for harassment, vandalism, and violence.
- Jonathan Greenblatt says incidents rose tenfold in the last decade, raising major concern for American Jews.
Early Anti‑Semitic School Bullying
- Jonathan Greenblatt recalls pennies thrown at him in middle school and slurs in high school.
- He says his grandfather was a Holocaust survivor, so anti‑Semitism always existed in the background of his life.
Normalization Fueled By Polarization
- Jonathan Greenblatt says anti‑Semitism has been normalized in the culture over the last decade.
- He blames polarization, emboldened extremists, and social media for creating combustible conditions.