The FBI reported that there were 931 hate crimes committed against Jews in 2002, while 155 were committed against Muslims. Anti-Jewish incidents decreased only slightly from 2001, but anti-Muslim incidents fell sharply from 481. The good news is that the overall count of hate crimes decreased about 25 percent from 2001 to 2002. The bad news is that hate crimes against Jews held almost steady.

This is further evidence that anti-Semitism, especially in the context of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, has become a widespread phenomenon, most notably in Europe, the Arab world, and on American college campuses. One only need to note the vicious bombing of two synagogues in Istanbul today, which killed 23 and wounded 303. Fourteen Muslims were killed also.

Anti-Semitism on college campuses is perhaps a most disturbing trend. Universities are supposed to be places of higher learning, tolerance, and open-mindedness. When it comes to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, they are not. Just look at the history of the so-called Palestine Solidarity Movement on campuses. Things had gotten so bad in 2002 that Harvard president Lawrence Summers publicly condemned as anti-Semitic various pro-Palestinian groups' attempts to get universities to divest from Israel.

Despite documentation showing these pro-Palestinian groups' anti-Semitic activities, universities continue to permit such organizations to meet on campus. But some are fighting back, and doing it effectively. Organizations like Campus Watch, the Anti-Defamation League, FrontPage Magazine, and my own organization, netwmd.com, LLC, have been turning the spotlight on these anti-Semitic activities.

But anti-Semitism will not die until people of good conscience actively oppose it. I encourage readers to click on the links shown in this article, get informed, and get involved.