antisemitism

Ed Martin, a former Missouri GOP chair and President Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney for D.C., is distancing himself from a Jan. 6 rioter known for antisemitic views. NPR's reporting raises questions about his ties to the rioter.

Some opponents worry the bill restricts free speech and could be used to silence criticism of Israel. The bill's sponsor, a St. Louis Republican, says allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza would be considered antisemitic.

As nativist rhetoric hits a fever pitch ahead of the 2024 election, immigrants and refugees in Kansas City question their safety, and their future, in the U.S.

On a rainy Palm Sunday in 2014, a man motivated by his hate for Jewish people killed three people at Jewish sites across Overland Park: Bill Corporon, Reat Underwood and Terri LaManno. A decade after that tragedy, the victims' families and loved ones — and the witnesses who survived — grapple with the loss and how to honor their memories.

Missouri Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, faced widespread criticism in recent weeks for her social media activity, including posing for a photo next to an alleged Holocaust denier.

After Elon Musk sued the media watchdog group Media Matters, which had documented the spread of extremist content on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Republican Andrew Bailey sent a letter demanding documents from the organization.

Gavriela Geller of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau told KCUR's Up To Date in September talk about a recent rise in antisemitic acts in Kansas City and the country. Since the war between Hamas and Israel began this month, Geller believes antisemitism is "absolutely" spiking even more.

Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City is hosting a support group Wednesday evening for the local Jewish community. And the Jewish Culture Fest planned for Sunday at the Jewish Community Center will go ahead as planned.

Gavriela Geller, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and the American Jewish Committee, says that more education is needed to combat antisemitism in Kansas City communities.

Olathe-based Pepper Cave, owned by Justin Bale, was suspended indefinitely in apparent response to complaints about Bale’s social media activity, which in recent days has been filled with blatant antisemitic invective. Bale responded to the suspension by praising Hitler.

Multiple Kansas City-area schools have reported incidents of racist vandalism and discriminatory comments in recent weeks. "We have to talk about white supremacy being normalized in these districts," says Kansas City Defender founder Ryan Sorrell.

The city celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with the lighting of a 12-foot-tall menorah outside City Hall and a lighting ceremony inside the chambers. Jewish leaders say this display of unity is just the first step in combatting increasing antisemitism.