The FBI just released the hate crime statistics for 2024. Last year marked the greatest number of hate crimes against Jews in this country since the FBI began tracking them. We’re proud to have played a key role in the passage of a new statewide hate crimes and bias incident hotline, now live in King, Clark, and Spokane counties. 

After months of advocacy alongside the ADL and other coalition partners, we helped push forward SB 5427 – legislation that ensures victims of hate and bias in Washington State have a dedicated, trauma-informed place to report what they’ve experienced and access support. This was a key priority in our 2023 and 2024 legislative agendas and represents a critical step in improving reports of antisemitic incidents. Jews, like many other communities, often don’t feel safe to report incidents, expressing concerns about publicly identifying themselves and lack of follow-through. As a result, many incidents go unreported. Washington consistently ranks among the top five states for reported hate crimes, making this new hotline a vital tool in addressing a growing problem.

This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to building a safer, more inclusive Washington for all communities. Hotline operators are trained to respond with care, provide referrals, and support people in over 240 languages, without involving law enforcement unless the caller consents. By improving how we track and respond to hate, the hotline not only supports victims but also equips state leaders with the data needed to drive meaningful change.

The hotline has launched as a pilot in three Washington State counties. Max Patashnik, Director of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), will continue serving on the Attorney General’s Hate Crime and Bias Incident Hotline Advisory Group, providing feedback on key areas of improvement as the hotline moves toward its statewide launch in the coming months. 

Help spread the word: let your networks know that anyone affected by antisemitism or other forms of hate can call 1-855-225-1010 or report online below.