'Anti-Semitic wave' spreading in Europe

According to a survey by the European Union (EU) Agency for Fundamental Rights, 96% of respondents have experienced anti-Semitism. A total of 84% consider anti-Semitism to be a “very big” or “fairly big” problem in their country, while less than 18% believe that the government is dealing with the problem effectively.

The survey, which surveyed 8,000 Jews over the age of 16, was conducted between January and June 2023, before the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7. The Vienna-based agency also collected data from 12 Jewish organizations, some of which reported a 400% increase in anti-Semitic attacks since October 2023.

Protesters march past the French National Assembly during a march against anti-Semitism last November. Photo: Antoine Gyori

"Europe is witnessing a surge of anti-Semitism, partly due to the conflict in the Middle East. This severely limits the ability of Jews to live safely. We need to build on existing laws and strategies to protect our communities from all forms of hatred, both online and offline," said Sirpa Rautio, director of the agency.

Four in five people (80%) told the agency that anti-Semitism had increased in their country over the past five years, while 64% of those who had experienced anti-Semitism said they experienced it “all the time”. More than nine in 10 described anti-Semitism on the internet and social media as a “very big” problem.

Six in 10 said they were worried about their family's safety, while a similar number (62%) said the Arab-Israeli conflict affected their sense of safety.

The survey was conducted in 13 EU countries where 96% of the EU's Jewish population lives, including France, Germany, Poland and Spain.

In France, home to Europe's largest Jewish community, Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin said last year that in the first month after the October 7 attacks, anti-Semitic acts "exploded" with 1,000 reported incidents.

Since 7 October, Germany has also seen a rise in anti-Semitic violence, with the country's anti-Semitism commissioner warning that this risks taking the country "back to its worst days".

The EU agency is urging member states to fund the security needs of Jewish communities, including schools, synagogues and community centres. It also calls for full use of EU law regulating the internet, the Digital Services Act, to remove anti-Semitic content online, as well as increased prosecution of anti-Semitic hate crimes.

Ngoc Anh (according to Guardian)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lan-song-bai-do-thai-dang-lan-rong-o-chau-au-post303074.html