Philadelphia, PA, March 14, 2007 … Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States declined for the second consecutive year in 2006, according to newly issued statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which tracks incidents against Jewish individuals, synagogues and community institutions.  In Pennsylvania, there were 94 incidents in 2006, compared with 95 in 2005, according to the League's annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents.

"While we are encouraged, we take little comfort in the decline in the number of incidents that occurred," said Barry Morrison, Regional Director.  "A Jew was killed during a rampage on the West Coast, anti-Semitism worldwide has reached levels unheard of since World Ward II, Jews are routinely accused of engaging in conspiracies, and the Internet provides ample opportunities for hate mongers to peddle their wares. As always, it is important to bear in mind that the audit is only one measure of anti-Semitism.  Also, the quality of the incidents, not just the numbers, matters. The suffering of one Jew, for being a Jew, is one incident too many."

The ADL 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.

Many factors influence the ADL Audit from year to year.  While perceived unwavering Jewish support for Israel apparently fueled some of the reported incidents in 2006, other issues on the national landscape seemed to have a mitigating effect.

"Greater security awareness on the part of Jewish leaders and Jewish institutions, awareness and responsiveness of law enforcement officials, training of Jewish youth to confront anti-Semitism, and educational initiatives to educate about anti-Semitism, and prejudice and bigotry in general, certainly all have a deterrent effect and influence the numbers,"said Morrison.

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.