Alex Nirenburg’s article, here 11
There is almost no place in the world where a Jew can feel safe these days – this is the main conclusion of the State of Anti-Semitism report of the Diaspora Ministry. The report published this week shows an alarming increase in cases of anti-Semitism in the world, including physical harm to people – solely because of their Jewishness.
Here are the main points of the report:
United States
In the last five years, there has been a sharp and gradual increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the US, with each year breaking the record of the previous one. This trend was also maintained in 2023 and even more so after the events of October 7, when in the months of October-December there was a 337% increase in the volume of anti-Semitism compared to the corresponding period in 2022, and the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents was recorded for a period of two months, since 1979.
In this context, a Jewish and pro-Israel protester was murdered by a pro-Palestinian protester, there were at least 200 demonstrations that included anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist expressions or included support for terrorism, an increase of about 1,000% was found in the number of anti-Semitic posts in the online space, a 540% increase was recorded In the amount of false threats of planting bombs against Jewish institutions and synagogues, as well as a 700% increase in the number of anti-Semitic events on campuses.
Canada
The significant increase in anti-Semitism against the background of October 7 was also evident in Canada, where data published by the police in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, alongside independent data, indicate an increase in the rates of anti-Semitism by %-200% compared to the same period last year. In this context, and alongside anti-Israel demonstrations, in which many anti-Semitic chants were heard, as well as an increase in anti-Semitism felt in universities and high schools, there were two arson attempts at Jewish institutions, shots were fired at Jewish schools and a young Muslim was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack against the local Jewish community. However, it should be noted that the political echelon in Canada strongly supports Israel and the local Jewish community and has shown determination to fight the increase in the scope of anti-Semitism.
Germany
In the first half of 2023, the levels of anti-Semitism in Germany remain high, and are largely similar to the figures recorded in the corresponding period last year. However, even in the case of Germany, October 7th led to a dramatic turn, when according to reports, 29 anti-Semitic incidents per day were recorded in the country on average, this compared to 7 anti-Semitic incidents per day on average in 2022 (a 320% increase). As a result, about 80% of the Jewish communities in the country feel insecure and report that the main threat lies in immigrants of Turkish and Arab origin and in left-wing circles in the country.
The increase in the scope of anti-Semitism in the country is expressed in hateful graffiti in public places, anti-Semitic statements in universities, damage to Jewish memorial sites, marking of Jewish homes in the Temple of David, and in extreme cases even violence, when in one of the extreme incidents reported against the background of the war, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a Jewish community center. At the same time, about 98% of the Jewish communities in the country express satisfaction with the cooperation with the local security forces, and to this must be added the high commitment of the German government to fight the rising anti-Semitism through measures that are already showing their signs on the ground.
UK
In the first half of 2023, there was only a slight increase in the volumes of anti-Semitism registered in the country (2%) compared to the corresponding period in 2022. However, against the background of the “Iron Swords” war, Britain was one of the main centers where a meteoric increase in the scope of anti-Semitism was recorded, which was manifested in the highest number of incidents recorded in the country since records began in 1984 and a general increase of 512%, with local police even indicating an increase of more than 1000% in the number of offenses on an anti-Semitic background that were registered in the first month of the war.
Against the background of the events, published surveys show that about half of the British Jews considered leaving the country following the wave of anti-Semitism that was recorded, that 60% of the Jews themselves experienced an anti-Semitic incident, or know another Jew who experienced an anti-Semitic incident since the outbreak of the war, and that about half of them do not feel safe on the streets of the country since 7 in October.
France
Despite a 26% decrease in the volume of anti-Semitism registered in France in 2022, the year 2023 presented a completely different picture, with an emphasis on the period after October 7 when, along with Great Britain and the USA, France was one of the most prominent centers where a dramatic increase in the volume of anti-Semitism was recorded. In this framework, about 1,800 anti-Semitic incidents were reported against the background of the war, more than four times compared to the entire year 2022.
These events included, among other things, the stabbing of a Jewish woman, whose house had a swastika painted on it, attacks by boys in the streets, the burning of the doors of Jewish homes and the marking of the Houses of David on Jewish homes in Paris and its suburbs. The origin of a significant part of anti-Semitism in the country continues to be the second and third generation immigrants from Islamic countries, who were born and educated in France. Anti-Semitism is also greatly influenced by the social polarization in France between extreme right and extreme left, as well as increasing cooperation between extreme Islam and extreme left elements.
These trends were manifested, among other things, in a 430% jump in the number of requests to immigrate to Israel from French Jews since the beginning of the war. Along with this, it should be noted the firm stance of the French government in protecting the Jewish community and taking measures against perpetrators of anti-Semitism, and in this context hundreds of people were arrested and even foreigners were deported from the country.
countries of the former Soviet Union
The significant increase in the scope of anti-Semitism against the background of the “Iron Swords” war did not pass over the post-Soviet space, even in areas where violent anti-Semitic rhetoric and attitudes were not present. In this framework, motifs in relation to Israel and the Jews, which were very common in the distant past during the Soviet period and which seemed to have been forgotten in the last three decades, began to be heard more strongly since the outbreak of the war.
The largest increase in the scope of anti-Semitism in the past year in general, and against the background of the war in particular, was evident mainly in Russia, Belarus, Armenia and the countries of Central Asia, while in Ukraine there was actually a significant decrease in the scope of the phenomenon. However, it should be noted that with the exception of the violent events recorded in the Russian North Caucasus and several incidents recorded in the Muslim Central Asian countries, the anti-Semitic discourse has not yet been translated into measures that directly endanger the Jews in the region. However, this does not mean that the change for the worse cannot occur at any given moment and lead the rhetoric to practical violent measures.
Australia
In Australia, where the extent of anti-Semitism is on a constant rise, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of incidents directed against the local Jewish community in the country in the past year, when as of October 7, more than 600 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in the country, representing a sharp increase of 738% compared to the same period last year . These events included, among other things, anti-Israel demonstrations, in which calls were heard to harm Jews and destroy Israel, threats to harm Jewish institutions and individuals, verbal abuse, sticking labels on Israeli restaurants, promoting boycotts of Jewish-owned businesses and Israeli products.
Turkey
In Turkey, the anti-Israeli discourse is strongly encouraged by various political parties, such as President Erdoğan. In this framework, the local parliament announced in an unusual step (7.11) the cessation of the sale of “Coca-Cola” and “Nestle” products in its restaurants due to the companies’ alleged support for “Israel’s war crimes and the murder of innocents in Gaza”. The parliament even issued a joint declaration against Israel, signed by all parties in the House, and three days of mourning were also announced (18.10) in the country against the background of the “Massacre at the Gaza Hospital” even after it became clear that it was a failed launch by the terrorist organization “Islamic Jihad”. In another incident, a man fired (12/13) several shots at a branch of the “Starbucks” chain in the city of Adana, apparently in protest of the company’s support for Israel, while calling on the crowd to vacate the place at a time when “children’s blood is being spilled in Palestine”.
It should be noted that several attacks have occurred at the chain’s branches in Turkey since the beginning of the war in Gaza. Alongside this, campaigns of economic boycotts of Israeli products proliferated during this period and applications were used to mark and identify Israeli products. A notable event was recorded, when a sign was hung on a bookstore in Istanbul declaring “No entry for Jews”. Alongside this, the prominent daily newspaper “Yeni Şafak” published (5.11) an anti-Semitic article under the title “The Zionists: They are erasing Gaza with Hitler’s methods”37. The newspaper even published an article on its main page (11.12), calling Judaism “a virus that the world must destroy”, and also published that IDF soldiers are operating in Gaza based on an ancient religious belief, with the aim of building the Temple at the expense of Palestinian homes. In light of this, Turkish Jews continue to express concern for their security due to identifications with Israel in Turkish media and politics.
South Africa
During the past year, about 200 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in the country, with more than two-thirds of them recorded after October 7. This is an increase of 186% compared to the same period last year. In this context, there were many demonstrations, during which anti-Semitic chants were heard as well as calls to close the Israeli embassy in the country, attacks and threats directed against the local Jewish community, campaigns to boycott local businesses owned by Jews, and more. Against this background, the activity of the South African government stands out, which, against the background of the war in Gaza, appealed to the International Court of Justice in The Hague with the demand to open an investigation against Israel for war crimes, along with a threat that its citizens who enlist in the IDF may be subject to prosecution in the country for an alleged violation of international law.
Latin America
Similar to the increase in expressions of anti-Semitism around the world, an increase in the scope of anti-Semitism was also recorded in Latin America in the past year, with an emphasis on the period after October 7 in Argentina, in the months since the outbreak of the war there was an increase of almost 100% compared to the first ten months of the year.
In Brazil , there was a 961% increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded since the outbreak of the war compared to the corresponding period last year, and a terrorist cell of “Hezbollah” was arrested, which wanted to carry out an attack against Israeli and Jewish targets in the country.
In Chile, anti-Semitic events were recorded in the country’s universities and synagogues, healthcare professionals were boycotted for being Jewish, and the political leadership almost fully embraced the Palestinian narrative.
In Colombia, the local president expressed himself in a hostile and anti-Semitic manner against Israel, brought the embassy back to the country for consultation, at the same time as the cases where swastikas were sprayed against the Israeli embassy in the country.
Anti-Semitic events also broke out in Bolivia , which was the first country to announce the severing of diplomatic ties with Israel due to the war, in Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and even in Cuba.
