Worrying data in preparation for International Holocaust Day:
the anti-Semitism report of the Department for the Fight against Anti-Semitism in the World Zionist Organization for the year 2022, indicates that the increase in anti-Semitism has been curbed, despite the increase in the number of anti-Semitic events on social networks.
In the shadow of the conclusion of the year 2022 and International Holocaust Day, today (Tuesday) the department for the fight against anti-Semitism in the World Zionist Organization, led by Racheli Bartz-Rix, published the summary report on anti-Semitism for this year.
The report is based on local and international reports, research bodies, local police and Jewish communities, allows to present the current picture of the state of anti-Semitism compared to previous years.
The report indicates that despite the halting of the trend of the increase in the number of anti-Semitism incidents in the world, there are still more than ten incidents reported every day.
Also, there is an increase in the media coverage that anti-Semitism events generate with an emphasis on social networks.
The report also identifies the boycott and BDS organizations as a significant factor in the spread of anti-Semitism around the world.
Between white supremacy and progressivism
In terms of the distribution of anti-Semitism incidents around the world - during the year 2022, anti-Semitism incidents originating from Europe and North America and the USA occupied a significant volume of approximately 46% and 39% (respectively), compared to 47.7% that occurred last year in Europe and 33% in the USA.
Promotes anti-Semitism, the BDS movement on US campuses (for illustration), photo: GettyImages
In addition, most of the anti-Semitism incidents this year were characterized by anti-Semitic propaganda (39%) and vandalism (28%).
In contrast, physical violence characterized only 14% of the incidents, verbal violence 11%, and delegitimization 7%.
Only one percent of all types of events were characterized by demonstration events.
According to the report's conclusions, an alarming increase in the phenomenon of anti-Semitism has been observed in the US, which manifests itself in disturbing trends due to the strengthening of white supremacist organizations, along with an increase in anti-Semitic statements from the American progressive left.
In addition, according to data on the subject, in recent years there has been a 61% increase in the number of cases of violence or planning violence against Jewish institutions.
Alongside this, a report indicates that there has been a 125% increase in the number of hate crimes against Jews in New York State, while in major cities such as Chicago, New York and Los Angeles there has been an increase of about 20% in the first half of 2022.
In addition, the activity of BDS organizations on campuses in the USA is constantly increasing. During the year 2022, over 350 anti-Semitic incidents occurred on campuses, with many Israeli students feeling the need to hide their identity or their support for Israel. According to samples conducted on the subject, one in three students In the US testified that they experienced anti-Semitism during the school year, with almost 80% of them experiencing it more than once.
A decline in the shadow of the change of government
In Britain, the change under consideration is taking place in light of the governmental upheaval that also affects the Jewish communities in Great Britain, in light of the rise of the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who is recognized as a supporter of Israel.
According to the report's data, 786 cases of anti-Semitism were recorded in the first half of the year, a figure that represents a 43% decrease compared to the previous year, when in the first half of 2021, 1,371 cases of anti-Semitism were reported - an all-time record number.
A decline in antisemitism in Britain?
Desecration of graves (for illustration), photo: E.P
Alongside this, from the report's data, there is an increase in anti-Semitism in the British education system, according to which over the past five years there has been a 173% increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in schools. In addition, between the years 2021-2022, an increase of close to 30% was observed in the cases of anti-Semitism in educational institutions.
In Germany, during the months of January-September, 1,555 anti-Semitic incidents were reported to the German criminal police, which is an average of five cases of anti-Semitism every day.
However, it seems that compared to previous years, there is a significant decrease in the trend of anti-Semitism, which worsened due to the outbreak of the Corona epidemic and the "Guardian of the Walls" operation in Israel.
In Italy last year's events stood out in a number of incidents of violence against Jews alongside reports of an increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents according to the data of the Jewish organizations in the country.
The report presents the existing anti-Semitism in the education system in Italy which was examined among high schools in the country. Another factor is the election campaign in Italy which was accompanied by anti-Semitic statements as part of the ongoing struggle between the right and left parties for the formation of the government.
Anti-Semitism in Britain (for illustration), photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
In France, the recent election campaign caused a stir in the form of the rise of extreme factions that encourage anti-Semitism.
However, the report shows a decrease in the number of anti-Semitic incidents compared to last year. The data of the report shows that 37% of Jews reported that they felt threatened because of religious affiliation, 41% of respondents admitted that they avoided displaying mezuzahs and religious symbols and 35% claimed that they avoided from wearing a type of clothing that is identified as Jewish.
At the same time, the survey found that French Jews feel that anti-Semitism in the country is getting stronger among the general population.
85% of French Jews believe that anti-Semitism is now a widespread phenomenon in France today, with 73% claiming that it has increased in the last decade.
In addition, the survey shows that 80% of those who experienced an anti-Semitic act did not file a complaint with the authorities in France and 76% did not report these events to community associations.
In terms of France's preoccupation with anti-Semitism and the commemoration of the Holocaust - about half of the residents (51%) believe that they deal with anti-Semitism to the desired extent, while 34% claim that they do not talk about the phenomenon enough, while 15% believe that they deal with the issue too much.
The effects of the war in Ukraine
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is accompanied by anti-Semitic statements towards the Jewish communities in both countries, alongside conspiracies regarding Israel's involvement in the war on social networks characterized by claims that the Jews are plotting to take over the world and the Jewish connection behind the fighting.
During the last decade, a constant decrease in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Russia has been detected, however, from a study carried out at the beginning of the year, it seems that anti-Semitism is still rooted in the country.
The study found that 13% of respondents do not want to see Jews at all.
In recent years, an increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents has been detected in Ukraine, but since the outbreak of the war with Russia, the number of reports of anti-Semitic incidents has decreased, when it can be assumed that these numbers are not accurate.
The Jewish community of Ukraine continues to publish reports on anti-Semitism incidents, but under the sounds of war it is not possible to see the full picture of the state of anti-Semitism in the country.
Also, starting in February, there was a significant increase in the scope of anti-Semitic expressions and conspiracy theories in Poland related to the invasion of Ukraine on social networks and in the established media.
These conspiracies included accusations against Jews as being responsible for the invasion of Russia in order to profit from it, harm Poland and take over Ukraine.
The efforts did not help
Australia, characterized as an inclusive and pluralistic country, has worked in recent years to fight anti-Semitism, but despite this opposition, there has been an increase in these phenomena in the country.
A study conducted this year on the subject indicates that over 60% of the Australian population sees no problem in spreading false messages about the Holocaust, when in 2021 there was a 35% increase in anti-Semitic cases in the country, which included 272 cases of vandalism and physical and verbal attacks and 175 threats directed at Jews.
Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel: "Anti-Semitism on social media is increasing at an alarming rate.
We raise a clear black flag in view of the increase in incitement on the networks and call on the heads of state to raise the fight against anti-Semitism to the top of the list of priorities.
Also, on the government's table is a proposal that I submitted to the previous Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to recognize the victims of anti-Semitism in the world as victims of hostilities.
We must remember them in state ceremonies of the State of Israel, and act so that they will be an integral part of the nation's memory and the common national unity.'
"To add the victims of anti-Semitism in the world to the victims of hostilities", Chairman of the Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel, photo: Mark Israel Salem
The head of the department for the fight against anti-Semitism in the World Zionist Organization, Racheli Beretz Ricks: "The constant increase in anti-Semitism trends in the last decade is a matter of concern, while the significant reduction in the number of incidents this year is not a sigh of relief either.
Anti-Semitism is everywhere, at every point in time and space, and we must not remain silent in the face of this phenomenon.
I call for a joint integration of arms to deal with the areas of consciousness and advocacy in order to provide a broad response to this disturbing trend.'
"Anti-Semitism is everywhere, we must not be silent about the yeast", head of the department for the fight against anti-Semitism, Racheli Beretz Ricks, photo: no
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