Antisemitism - Poll: Many Jews in the EU have fear
Many Jews in the EU hide their identity according to a survey out of concern for their safety. One in three interviewees avoided Jewish events or places because they did not feel secure, according to a study by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in Vienna. In total, 80 percent of the interviewed Jews and Jews believed that antisemitism in their country had increased in the past five years. Internet hate comments played a significant role in this, with 37 percent of interviewees reporting that they had been insulted because of their Jewish identity on the streets, in parks, or in shops.
The survey of around 8,000 Jews in 13 EU countries was conducted in the first half of 2023, before the terrorist attack by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7, 2023, in Israel, and the subsequent Gaza War. The findings showed that a large number of Jews and Jews were still experiencing antisemitism on the internet and in real life, according to the FRA.
FRA Director: "Wave of Antisemitism"
"Europe is experiencing a wave of antisemitism, which is partly fueled by the conflict in the Middle East," said FRA Director Sirpa Rautio. It is important to spread the message of tolerance in an increasingly polarized society and to ensure the protection of fundamental rights. Since the Gaza War, the number of antisemitic incidents has risen again. Some organizations reported an increase of over 400 percent, the FRA stated, citing recent research.
Germany is not an exception
According to the available data, Germany is not deviating from the negative trend. Eighty percent of interviewees refrained from wearing Jewish symbols in public at least occasionally, according to the survey. Nine percent reported that they had been attacked in the past five years - one of the highest rates in the survey. Fifty-one percent considered emigrating from Germany due to antisemitism. This was also a relatively high percentage. Approximately 171,000 Jewish women and men live in the Federal Republic.
Demand for better protection
The Fundamental Rights Agency called for the implementation of existing action plans against antisemitism. This is particularly important for the fight against antisemitic comments on the internet. To alleviate the fear of the affected, it is necessary to invest more in the protection of Jewish citizens.
- The survey revealed that antisemitism is not only a concern in Israel, but also a significant issue within the minority communities of Jews in various European countries, including Germany.
- The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas, and other extremist groups have been accused of fueling antisemitism through their actions in the Middle East, which has led to a rise in hate speech and incidents against Jews in Europe.
- In addition to Germany, minority communities in other European Union countries, such as France and Austria, have reported a surge in antisemitic incidents in recent years, highlighting the need for a coordinated response from the European Union and its member states to combat this rising extremism.
- The survey results showed that many European Jews are feeling increasingly marginalized and vulnerable, with some considering emigrating due to the high levels of antisemitism they are experiencing in their daily lives.
- To address this issue, there is a growing demand for more proactive measures from European governments and societies, such as strengthening laws against hate speech, investing in community programs to promote interfaith dialogue, and providing better protection for Jewish communities and individuals in Europe.
