Antisemitism On the Rise Around the World

As you may already know and as we reported in late October, there has been a wave of antisemitism around the world following the massacre in Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and throughout the Israel-Hamas war.

You may have also seen recent news of anti-Israel and antisemitic protests on college campuses throughout the United States, which have involved harassment and threats against Jewish students and staff and disruptions to student life and learning.

Overall, according to statistics gathered by the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has surged worldwide in 2023 and particularly since October 7, 2023.

Here are some alarming but important trends and statistics to know:

Argentina: More than 100 reported antisemitic incidents in January 2024 alone, a 600% increase compared to January 2023.

Australia: 738% increase in reported cases of antisemitism between October 7-December 15.

Austria: 60% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to 2022; 500% increase during the period from October 7 to December 31.

Brazil: 961% increase in countrywide antisemitism during the month of October 2023 compared to October 2022.

Denmark: Reported 121 antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to only 9 in 2022, including 20 death threats, the highest number in the country since the Holocaust.

France: 1,242 reported antisemitic incidents between October 1-December 31, 2023, showing a 1000% increase from prior months.

Germany: The period from October 7 to November 9, 2023, saw 994 reported antisemitic cases, averaging 29 per day - a 320% increase compared to 2022 rates.

Italy: Authorities registered 135 antisemitic incidents between October 7 and December 31, 2023.

Netherlands: Independent monitoring noted 203 cases of antisemitic hate between October-December 2023.

New Zealand: 50% of surveyed Jewish parents stated that their children were subjected to antisemitism in schools.

South Africa: The Jewish community reported 41 antisemitic incidents in October 2023.

Switzerland: 68% increase in antisemitic incidents in French-speaking Switzerland in 2023 compared to 2022.

United Kingdom: 4,103 reported incidents of anti-Jewish hate in 2023, by far the largest on record in the country.

United States: 8,873 antisemitic incidents in 2023, 5,204 of which occurred between October 7-December 31; 140% increase from 2022, including a significant increase in assaults, vandalism, and harassment; the highest annual number of reported cases of anti-Jewish hate in the U.S. since tracking began 45 years ago.

In addition, as of late April, 2024, there were over 50 college and university campuses across the United States with tent "encampments" protesting Israel and Zionism and engaging in rhetoric that supports terrorism and antisemitism.

Openly antisemitic rhetoric has been spotted at anti-Israel rallies in the U.S. and throughout the rest of the world since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish schools, synagogues, homes, and individuals have been targeted and threatened.

If you witness antisemitism online or in person, or see it in the news in your local community, here are some things you can do to help combat the hatred:

1. Report in-person incidents to the Anti-Defamation League and your local law enforcement.
2. Report antisemitic posts on social media to the platform, and block or unfollow antisemitic accounts to limit their reach and visibility.
3. Share news about antisemitic incidents to spread awareness.
4. Pressure your local government, university administration, or law enforcement to address antisemitism and to work to keep its Jewish constituents safe.

Don't forget to check in on your friends and loved ones in these stressful times.

At the same time, let's take pride in the resiliency, strength, and longevity of the Jewish people - we have overcome and survived, and we shall overcome and survive again!

Am Yisrael Chai!