The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: Fighting Anti-Semitism and Anti-Muslim Bias
Oct 10, 2025
This discussion features Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Daisy Khan, founder of WISE, and Cindy Gross, a conservative Jewish activist. They delve into rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in NYC, evaluating candidates' proposals for community safety. The conversation touches on the importance of rhetoric, potential impacts of the IHRA definition on advocacy, and the necessity of protecting civil liberties. They emphasize the need for shared values and mutual respect to reduce polarization and combat hate effectively.
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Rising Hate Crime Trends
- NYPD data showed anti-Jewish hate crimes made up a majority of reported incidents in 2023 while anti-Muslim crimes also rose sharply.
- The spike reflects a broader national trend of rising hate over the last decade, not just since October 7th.
Antisemitism’s Dual Threat
- Amy Spitalnick emphasizes antisemitism combines visible targeting with conspiracy-fed tropes about Jewish power.
- Those tropes can lead to violence and to pitting Jews against other communities, worsening safety for all.
Linked Waves Of Hate
- Daisy Khan notes spikes in antisemitism often coincide with spikes in Islamophobia.
- She warns Islamophobia operates individually, socially, and institutionally, restricting participation and rights.
