Global anti-Semitism report shows overall fall but return of ‘classic’ hatred

A major report into anti-Semitism across the world has found that the number of anti-Semitic attacks is down but that “classic anti-Semitism is back”.

The report, called ‘Antisemitism Worldwide 2017,’ was published this week by the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and Tel Aviv University.

Authors describe “a moderate worldwide average decrease” in violent anti-Semitic incidents of about 9 percent last year, with 327 cases compared to 361 in 2016, according to the Kantor Center criteria. This is significantly lower than previous years. From 2006 to 2014, violent anti-Semitic incidents numbered 600-700 per year.

Among the possible reasons it gives for this is “immigrants diverting right-wingers’ attention” and “less Jews with identifying signs on the streets”.

However, the report notes “an ominous feeling of insecurity among Jews in Europe” and says that the fall in the number of incidents is mirrored by an increase “in other manifestations, many not reported, notably harassment in schools and on social media”.

They write: “A certain corrosion of Jewish communal life has been noticed, and Jews suspect that anti-Semitism has entered a new phase: expressions of classic traditional anti-Semitism are back… the term ‘Jew’ has become a swear word… There is still no clear-cut answer.”

Discussing a “corrosion of Jewish life,” they say this is “especially apparent in schools,” writing: “Jewish schools limit youth activities, close or face severe security and budgetary problems. As a result, some Jewish pupils moved to Catholic schools, where the fees are lower and there are no Muslims.”

Among the catalysts for anti-Semitism around the world was Donald Trump’s announcement last year that he was moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.