What Happened?
- Countries with large Jewish populations, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and others, saw steep increases in antisemitic incidents in 2023, especially following the October 7 attacks.
- The United States reported the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded by the Anti-Defamation League, with a significant increase in recent years. (Globes, Jewish News Syndicate)
What international media is saying:
- Experts warn that openly declaring one’s Jewish identity may soon become unsafe, especially in Western countries, due to a surge in antisemitism worldwide following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, deemed the most significant wave since World War II. (DW, Welt)
- Antisemitic incidents have reached levels unseen since World War II, with a rise in antisemitism globally, fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and the spread of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, particularly in the Arab world. (The Indian Express, DW, Die Zeit, South China Morning Post)
- Antisemitism has moved from extreme political views to mainstream society, with social media playing a significant role in spreading antisemitic sentiments and making it easier for hatred to infiltrate mainstream society. (The Indian Express, DW, South China Morning Post)
- Overcoming antisemitism in Arab societies is crucial for peace in the Middle East, and diplomatic processes should prioritize measures to combat antisemitism. (Süddeutsche Zeitung, Welt)
- Experts warn against attributing the increase in antisemitism solely to reactions to the Gaza Strip crisis, as the rise in antisemitism had been observed even before the conflict. (South China Morning Post)
What Israeli media is saying:
- Antisemitism was on the rise even before the Oct. 7 invasion, and the number of antisemitic incidents more than tripled in the US. (Jewish News Syndicate, The Jerusalem Post)
- US campuses saw a rise in antisemitic incidents, which the ADL called the most alarming aspect of Jew-hatred in the United States, with 75% of American university students experiencing or witnessing antisemitism. (The Times of Israel)
What Arab media is saying:
- The League Against Defamation expressed concern about the unprecedented levels of anti-Semitic acts recorded in 2023. (Alhurra)
- Professor Uria Shavit stated that the current trend could jeopardize Jewish life in the West, including the use of symbols like the Star of David, attending Jewish centers, sending children to Jewish schools, and speaking Hebrew. (Alhurra)
- Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, there was a surge in hatred against Jewish groups worldwide, the League’s president stated. (Alhurra)
- The League reported a 140% increase in anti-Semitism in the U.S. in 2023, the highest level since they began tracking data in 1979. (Alhurra)
Sources: