During 2023, a concerning increase in hate crimes was recorded compared to the previous year. The impact was especially significant for the Jewish community after October 7, a date marked by Hamas attacks on Israel.

According to data from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, shared by Axios, five of the country's ten largest cities experienced an increase in violent crimes stemming from race, color, sexuality, religion and/or origin.

Cities affected by a significant increase in hate crimes include Houston (193%), San Diego (47%), Chicago (43%), Los Angeles (13%), and Austin (7%). In contrast, Dallas and Phoenix remained stable, while this phenomenon decreased in New York (-2%), San Antonio (-8%) and Philadelphia (-13%).

The rising trend in hate crimes is not limited to the ten largest cities, as increases were also seen in other prominent metropolises such as San Francisco, Washington, Denver, Seattle, Boston, and Salt Lake City.

It should be noted that although this increase marked the third consecutive year of increase in the general average of hate crimes in large cities, the number of hate crimes grew, especially against the Jewish community. In fact, as of October 7, the Jewish community supplanted Black Americans as "the most targeted group in America's 10 largest cities."

"The Israel-Hamas war sparked jumps in antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes in the last months of 2023," indicates the report shared by Axios.

According to the report, hatred of Jews increased by 48% in Los Angeles, 12.6% in New York, and 10% in Chicago. The Muslim community also experienced a notable rise in the same cities, with 22%, 40% and 300% increases in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, respectively.

Jewish community shows greater interest in weapons

Following security concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas has triggered, many members of the community have reconsidered their stance on the use of firearms. They are even taking lessons to learn how to use them.

"We've definitely seen a tremendous increase in religious Jewish people, Orthodox people (...) These are mothers, teachers (...) people are nervous about what's going on and what can happen," explained David Kowalsky, owner of Florida Gun Store in Hollywood, Florida.