San Jose Police Probe Santana Row Assault as Possible Antisemitic Hate Crime
San Jose police are investigating a March 8, 2026 assault at the Santana Row shopping district as a possible antisemitic hate crime after video showed multiple men pinning and punching a victim on the ground before fleeing. The San Jose Police Department says three male suspects approached two men, leading to a confrontation in which the victims later alleged the assailants used antisemitic language; both victims were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Footage from the outdoor dining area shows onlookers shouting "Knock it off! Stop!" as one man repeatedly strikes the victim while another restrains his leg. An X account, @TheJewishAlly, claims the men were attacked after being heard speaking Hebrew, though police have not independently confirmed that detail. The SJPD Assaults Unit has opened an active investigation and is treating the case as a potential hate crime, underscoring heightened concern over antisemitic incidents in U.S. public spaces.
đ Key Facts
- The incident occurred Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2026, at Santana Row in San Jose, California.
- San Jose Police Department says three male suspects approached two male victims, and the altercation escalated into a physical assault.
- Victims reported that suspects used antisemitic language; the SJPD Assaults Unit is investigating the case as a possible hate crime.
đ Relevant Data
In 2024, the FBI reported a record high of 1,938 antisemitic hate crime incidents in the United States.
Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Hit Record High in 2024, FBI Data Shows â The Algemeiner
Jewish people comprise about 2.3% of the U.S. population but were the targets of nearly 70% of all religion-based hate crimes reported by the FBI in 2024.
FBI: Nearly 70% of U.S. Religion-Based Hate Crimes Target Jews â Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In California, anti-Jewish hate crimes increased by 24.3% from 2021 to 2022, reaching the highest level in at least 10 years, with a further spike following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and the war in Gaza.
2023-2024 Annual Report â California Civil Rights Department
In 2023, San Jose reported only 3 anti-Jewish hate crime incidents, down from 7 in 2022, despite statewide increases.
2023-2024 Annual Report â California Civil Rights Department
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