Elham Asaad Buaras
Anti-Muslim hate crimes in major US cities surged by 18% in 2024, while antisemitic incidents increased by 12%, marking the fourth consecutive year of rising religiously motivated hate crimes in the country, according to a preliminary report published by Phys.org on April 1.
The report, authored by Brian Levin, Professor Emeritus at California State University, San Bernardino and founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, highlights the impact of geopolitical tensions, particularly the Israel-Gaza war, which began in late 2023, on the escalation of hate crimes against religious minorities.
Despite the rise in religiously motivated hate crimes, overall reported hate crimes in 42 major U.S. cities declined by 2.7% in 2024, following a record-high surge in 2023. The decrease was particularly notable in the 10 largest metropolitan areas, where incidents dropped to levels similar to those recorded in 2021. However, hate crime rates in these cities remain significantly elevated, standing 140% higher than in 2014. The most significant reduction was observed in Chicago, which played a key role in the decline.
Levin’s analysis found that antisemitic hate crimes accounted for 25% of all reported incidents in an adjusted sub-sample that excluded Los Angeles. Several major cities, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Denver, set records for antisemitic hate crimes. At the same time, preliminary data suggests similar records were reached in Boston, Austin, and Pittsburgh.
Anti-Muslim hate crimes, which have been rising steadily for four years, reached their highest levels in 2024. Many of these incidents occurred in cities with significant Muslim populations, where attacks on mosques and individuals escalated throughout the year.
While religion-based hate crimes saw sharp increases, hate crimes against other groups declined, though often within the margin of error. Hate crimes against Black Americans decreased slightly from 456 in 2023 to 453 in 2024. Anti-Latino hate crimes, which hit a record high in 2023, fell by 5.5% when excluding Los Angeles data. Anti-Asian hate crimes declined by over 14% across 29 cities, though numbers remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. Hate crimes targeting gay men decreased by 8% following a 33% increase in 2023.
Levin cautioned that while some hate crime categories saw slight declines, bias-motivated attacks remain at historically high levels, particularly for religious minorities. “No category has been impacted more than religion-based hate crimes, which have now risen for a fourth consecutive year, with the Israel-Gaza war accelerating this trend.”
Although final nationwide data from the FBI is yet to be released, the report underscores persistent hate crime concerns in the U.S., particularly for Jewish and Muslim communities.
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