The anti-Semitic events in the world are on the rise in the last decade

2010 - significantly quieter than 2009, and still the third most severe in the last 20 years * Ongoing monitoring by the researchers of the Stefan Roth Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism and Racism and the Kantor Center for the Study of European Jewry Today at Tel Aviv University in preparation for Holocaust Remembrance Day and Heroism began today

The annual report of the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism and Racism and the Kantor Center for the Study of European Jewry Today at Tel Aviv University shows a clear trend of an increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded around the world in the last decade.  However, 2010 was significantly quieter than 2010 - which was characterized by a wave of anti-Semitic events following Operation Cast Lead.  England, France and Canada recorded the highest number of violent anti-Semitic incidents in 2009.  The Internet and the media are proving to be an effective platform for spreading anti-Semitic messages.

Over 20 years of documentation
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have been collecting data on anti-Semitic events in the world for longer
From 20 years - starting from the end of the 80s of the last century. The information collected includes prominent cases of violence: physical attacks, vandalism and direct threats on an anti-Semitic basis. However, it must be emphasized that it is very difficult to estimate the number of harassments that are not clearly violent, such as verbal threats, insults, profanity, shouting in the streets, hostile websites, etc. - but it is clear that it has increased dramatically in recent years. In the bottom line, the data shows that the total number of anti-Semitic incidents each year in the last decade was several tens of percent higher compared to the numbers recorded during the 90s.

2009 - a record year in violent anti-Semitic incidents

The year 2009 was an unusual year in terms of the number of anti-Semitic incidents, because Operation "Cast Lead", which took place at the beginning of it, caused unprecedented anti-Semitic activity around the world. This is an intention against Jews in their places of residence, since Jews and Israelis are seen as one public. A total of 1129 violent anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in the world in 2009.

2010 - a significant decrease compared to 2009
In 2010, the scope of violent anti-Semitic incidents in the world decreased by 46% compared to 2009, and amounted to 614 cases. But despite the significant decrease, 2010 is still the third worst since data collection began. The takeover of the flotilla that was on its way to Gaza in May was indeed considered a major event, and provoked anti-Semitic reactions, but the event lasted a short time, and the number of casualties was relatively low - compared to the 'Cast Lead' operation. Therefore, the anti-Semitic wave was also smaller.

England, France and Canada - a sharp increase in violent anti-Semitism
The highest number of violent anti-Semitic events in 2010 was recorded in England, France and Canada - and it accounts for about 60% of all such events in the world. In these countries the level of violence was particularly high, even compared to 2009 - especially when it comes to random street violence against people who can be identified as Jews. In Australia, too, the extent of street violence stood out very much - with a dramatic increase of 60% compared to 2009. However, when non-violent anti-Semitism is also included in the number of incidents, a significant decrease was actually evident between 2009 and 2010, in the same countries. A similar picture was also recorded in other countries in Western Europe - which is the main arena for anti-Semitic events in the last decade.

An increase in the number of attacks on Jewish sites was evident in Latin America and especially in Chile, where the fourth largest Palestinian community in the world lives. In Venezuela, circles close to the government continued to point the finger of blame at the Jewish community. In contrast, in the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, and especially in Russia, a downward trend continued, especially in physical attacks on people, and to a lesser extent also in attacks against community facilities. It is possible that this is a result of increased law enforcement, especially in Russia.

The media and the Internet - a stage for hatred of Jews
The media and the Internet are a powerful platform for spreading anti-Semitic propaganda. The main motifs in the harassment in the media and on the Internet in 2010 were: the Jewish-Zionist connection and its power in the world; demonization and delegitimization of Israel by comparing it to Nazi Germany or denouncing it as an apartheid state; and the demand that Jewish communities defend the State of Israel and renounce it.

The leaders of growing anti-Semitism: extreme left-wing organizations, radical Muslims and extreme right-wing movements

Jewish activists fear today that the anti-Jewish atmosphere is strengthening due to unbridled anti-Israel propaganda by extreme leftist elements, in collaboration with radical Muslim circles. In the demonstrations of these groups, slogans such as "Death to Israel", "Israelis = Nazis", or "Jews are murderers" are heard. In most countries, especially in Western Europe, many of the incidents of street violence were committed by young Muslims, but also by members of extreme right-wing movements and parties.

Bottom line: What causes the rise in anti-Semitism?
Despite the connection that sometimes exists between conflicts in the Middle East, such as Operation Cast Lead, and an increase in the number of cases of anti-Semitism, the increase in anti-Semitism also exists regardless of certain events. The fundamental factors for anti-Semitism in general and its rise in particular are still: traditional anti-Semitism centered on a negative Jewish stereotype; The view of the State of Israel, which is identified with the Jewish people, as having negative Jewish characteristics; and the adoption of anti-Semitic stereotypes - not only by neo-Nazis and extreme right-wing groups, but also by radical Muslims, when all are supposedly fighting against one common enemy: the Jewish people in any form.

That's it for Tel Aviv University's announcement
Below: an interesting piece of news brought by the Institute for Monitoring the Palestinian Media:

UNRA workers in the Palestinian schools are "resolutely opposed" to Holocaust studies which will cause the "confusion of thinking" of the children

By Itamar Marcus

For information on the institute's website

The Palestinian school workers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRA) have declared their "firm opposition" to the teaching of the Holocaust to Palestinian students. The remarks were made as part of a statement by the UNRA workers' union, in response to the UNRA management's decision to include Holocaust studies in the curriculum, as part of the human rights issue. According to the UNRA workers' union, teaching the Holocaust to Palestinian children will cause the "confusion of thinking" of the Palestinian children.

The "Matt for Palestinian Media" institute recently reported on the opposition in the Palestinian Authority to studying the subject of the Holocaust for Palestinian students.

Below is a translation of a news item on the subject that was published in the official newspaper of the Palestinian Authority:

Headline: "Their association emphasized its opposition to the study of the Holocaust within the curriculum of the agency's [UNRA] schools..."
"...The workers' union [of UNRA] emphasized its strong opposition to the study of the Holocaust within the curriculum of UNRA schools, as part of the human rights issue. The association said: 'We emphasize our firm opposition to confusing the thinking of our students through the study of the Holocaust in the human rights curriculum, and we also emphasize the study of the history of Palestine and the massacres committed against the Palestinians, the last of which was the war against Gaza.'
[The chairman of the association, Sohail] Al-Hindi, clarified to the French news agency that UNRA has 'approved the study of the Holocaust...' but has not yet started it.
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, 14/04/2011]