Results: Super Bowl Ad To Address Rising Antisemitism

A Super Bowl ad set to be shown during the February 11th game will highlight the rise of antisemitism, with a 30-second spot from "Stand Up to Jewish Hate," a campaign from the nonprofit organization founded by Robert Kraft, the billionaire businessman and owner of the New England Patriots. It's the first time his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) is buying an ad during the "most visible platform," which last year was watched by 113 million viewers and was the third most-watched television program of all time. Do you think that the Super Bowl is the appropriate platform for this type of ad?

The "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" ad campaign debuted a few years ago in after several antisemitic incidents, but has taken on new significance in recent months following the October 7 assault by Hamas militants in Israel and some US college campuses becoming hot beds of antisemitism. According to FCAS research, 183 million posts on social media were related to antisemitism and Jewish culture in 2023 — a 330% increase from the prior year. The organization said Google searches for "Kill Jews" increased by 1,800% in the past three months. Have you noticed an increase in antisemitism in recent months?

The rise in antisemitism has alarmed Jewish groups throughout the world, with synagogues being defaced, Jewish people being attacked on the street, Jewish owned businesses being targeted, and in general, Jews afraid to even be out in public. And on the other side of the coin, hate incidents against Palestinian, Arab and Muslims has also increased. It appears the war between Israel and Hamas has become fought on the streets of our countries and on the pages of social media. People are being told to "pick sides", without considering the fact that this is not a black and white situation. Have you come out on one side in this debate?

A recent restaurant that opened in Jordan called "October 7" has stirred controversy for its name, which many Jewish groups feel is a direct disgraceful glorification of the October 7th attack. The restaurant owner said it was named after the date on which his daughter had graduated from university in Algeria. Some online commentators noted that other businesses in Palestine and Jordan have previously expressed anti-Jewish sentiments. A social media user highlighted reports from November last year that the Gosta Coffee shop in the Jordanian city of Zarka was serving a drink called "HolaGosta," said to be a reference to the Nazi genocide of Jews during the Second World War. Do you think that this name is antisemitic?