FBI Investigates Antisemitic Attack in Clayton, Missouri
The FBI is actively investigating a disturbing antisemitic attack that occurred in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. The incident targeted an American citizen who previously served with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In the early hours of August 5, Clayton Police Department officers responded to a scene where three vehicles were deliberately set ablaze outside the victim’s residence. Additionally, the phrase “DEATH TO THE IDF” was spray-painted on the driveway, indicating the attack’s hateful intent. Authorities are treating this as a hate crime and believe the fires were intentionally set.
Official Responses to the Hate Crime
Leo Terrell, head of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, emphasized that those responsible for such attacks on Jewish Americans will face criminal charges. He assured that under the current administration, there is zero tolerance for antisemitic hate crimes. Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew also condemned the attack, asserting that the city will not tolerate violence or intimidation based on nationality, race, religion, or ideology.
Broader Context of Rising Antisemitism
This incident is part of a troubling trend of politically and ideologically motivated violence against Jewish communities in America. A spokesperson from the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. highlighted the embassy’s swift action in alerting U.S. Department of Justice officials about the attack. Despite a slight overall decrease in hate crimes in 2024, FBI data reveals a rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes, which now constitute 16% of all hate crimes and nearly 70% of religion-based hate crimes.
Efforts to Combat Antisemitism
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024, marking the highest number since it began tracking such events in 1979. The discrepancy between ADL and FBI figures arises from the ADL’s inclusion of non-criminal acts. The Trump administration has been proactive in addressing antisemitism through initiatives like Terrell’s task force and by holding universities accountable for inadequate responses to campus antisemitism.