Global Anti-Semitism on the Rise: Jewish Communities Fear for their Safety Amid escalating Violence
A new report released by Tel Aviv University, in partnership with the Jewish organization Anti-Defamation League (ADL), highlights a global increase in anti-Semitism, particularly in countries with significant Jewish populations like the United States, France, United Kingdom, Argentina, Germany, Australia, and Brazil. The study shows that since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East there has been a rapid rise in anti-Semitic incidents.
In 2023, there were approximately 3,500 incidents reported between January and September compared to 3,697 incidents in 2022 and 2,717 incidents in 2021. Most anti-Semitic incidents involved harassment of Jews, with 5,256 cases reported in 2023 compared to 436 cases in France and 4,103 cases in the UK. Cases of vandalism increased from 111 reports in 2019 to 88 reports in France and from 161 reports to over two thousand reports. Assaults totaled over one hundred incidents compared to zero reported assaults last year.
The report warns that if anti-Semitic persecution continues it will jeopardize the ability of Jewish people to live normal lives without fear of harm or violence. Social media has played a significant role in amplifying anti-Semitic sentiments following the October attack by Hamas on Israelis living near Gaza’s border. Additionally there has been an increase of anti-Semitic speech across Arab countries where terrorist groups have attempted to distort or deny their crimes. The study emphasizes that urgent action is needed to combat this growing threat and protect Jewish communities worldwide.
