Report: Incidents of anti-Semitism up 35 percent in Connecticut

HAMDEN, Conn. --Incidents of vandalism or harassment aimed at Jews in Connecticut increased 35 percent last year, according to Anti-Defamation League's annual report on anti-Semitic incidents.

The report released Wednesday showed that 77 incidents were reported across Connecticut in 2006, up from 57 in 2005. The ADL audit found 36 incidents of vandalism and 41 incidents of harassment. The state ranks seventh in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents.

"We are alarmed that anti-Semitic incidents remain at such a high level and that the number increased so significantly in 2006," David Waren, Director of the Connecticut Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League, said.

The report show that several trends continued to serve as a driving force behind anti-Semitic incidents in 2006, both nationally and in Connecticut. These included anti-Jewish harassment and intimidation in the schools, anti-Semitic activity on college campuses, and public activity by organized neo-Nazi and other hate groups.

"We are particularly concerned about the continuing high number of school-based anti-Semitic incidents in Connecticut, reflecting disturbing developments among our young people," Waren said.

Among the incidents reported last year was the discovery of more than one-hundred swastikas and other anti-Semitic slurs drawn on the inside walls of a middle school. The ADL said swastikas were painted on a prominent Holocaust memorial in West Hartford on two occasions in the space of three days.

The ADL report is compiled using official crime statistics, as well as information provided to and evaluated by the league's professional staff by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders.