Summary
The report is based on data which has been collected and published on the Forum for Countering Antisemitism’s website. Naturally, the numbers of events deployed in this report do not reflect the sum of all events which have actually taken place and at times the data is significantly different from the data published by the different Jewish communities. Never the less, all data reflects the tendencies as we see it.
In comparison to 2009, there has been a slight decrease in Antisemitism activities during 2010 which has created a record in the sense of frequency of Antisemitism activity. This is in-light of operation Cast Lead.
The de legitimating campaign and demonization of Israel is a central threat against Jewish communities.
Fundamental Islamic groups’ increasing tendency to adopt the Neo-Nazi Ideology has increasingly grown .
During the year of 2010 a decrease in the number of antisemitic incidents has been noted throughout the world as well as a decrease in their severity. This is in comparison to 2009 which has been a record year in light of Operation Cast Lead. The numbers of antisemitic incidents during that time have still remained significantly high when compared to those of the 1990’s and it appears that Antisemitism is in fact rising.
Furthermore, the report states that organized activity for the de-legitimating of Israel as a free country has increased during the year of 2010. The blurring of boundaries between legitimate criticism towards Israel and its demonization have become a substantial strategically threat not just to the state of Israel but on Jewish communities throughout the world.
The Antisemitism Phenomenon is still growing and finds its expression through propaganda and Antisemitic incitement, spraying swat stickers and hatred slogans, physical violence against Jewish people,
Attacks on Jewish establishments and facilities, desecration of gravestones, provocative political statements and attempt to carryout acts of terrorism. Poles that have taken place in Europe have shown that a third of the continent’s population hold a negative point of view regarding the Jews and that more than before, people allow themselves to speak out publicly against the Jewish people.
Although many countries are aware of the Antisemitic phenomenon and hold ongoing activities against it, it appears that this awareness does not influence the level of Antisemitism among the public. The violent Antisemitism is actually carried out by a small portion of the population however it is supported by growing sections of the public both in the Muslim and Western world.
The danger to Jewish communities by Muslim communities around the world is perceptible and ongoing. Physical attacks on Jews and on Jewish facilities are happening on a daily basis and especially in West Europe. Some of the attacks are extremely eminent: The attacks which have taken place in the U.S.A, in India and in Turkey, attacks on Jewish establishments in Kirghizstan, Egypt, France, and Germany and in Belgium. As well as Antisemitic incidents in Sweden and the synagogue in Malmo this has become a regular target.
The main threat to the state of Israel and Jewish communities during 2010 has been the De Legitimization campaign, revoking Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish country. This present year has registered an ongoing worsening of this activity which has been led by both Palestinian and extreme left wing Antisemitic organizations. The most outstanding event has been of course the Gaza Flotilla Raid of May 2010. Most countries which held demonstrations against Israel did not end up becoming violent against the Jewish communities. There have been exceptions in France and in Austria: France had 15 violent attacks against Jews including the attack of a Jewish young man in the Subway of Paris. Stones which were thrown towards a Habad delegate and incendiary bombs were thrown at a Jewish home for the elders. In Austrian 17 attacks took place after the Gaza Flotilla Raid. Five of which were violent ones.
2010 has shown an increase in use of Nazi propaganda by extreme Islamic elements. Besides denial of the Holocaust, a well know phenomenon, there have been throughout this year efforts to promote the idea which claims that the Holocaust was an additional link in a number of incidents in which European Jews have been murdered for their crimes and it should be considered as a model for solving the Jewish problem.
Another Phenomenon noted has been “the modern blood libel” which began in Sweden during 2009 and claims that Israel has been reaping out Palestinians organs. This year, this “blood libel” has been pronounced in Ukraine, Algeria, Haiti, Kosovo and the Moldavia Islands. An expedition of Israeli eye doctors which had been sent towards the end of 2010 to assist the local community in the Moldavia Islands was welcomed by demonstrations, burning of the Israeli flag and cries for the banishment of the doctors whom, according to the demonstrators have come to chop of their limbs.
Iran continues to be an additional center for spreading antisemitism:
The Iranian government continues to use Antisemitism as a strategic weapon against Israel and guides different groups in Anti-Israeli and Anti Semitic activities, especially in Europe and in Latin America. In addition to its activity with Left wing groups and Islamic organizations, this year has proven a significant enforcement of Iran’s relations to extreme right wing organizations including Neo-Nazis in Hungary, Greece, and France and in Chile. In the latter, a group of Neo Nazis was caught while trying to carry out a violent act against Jews. It was later discovered that the group was under Iranian orders.
Furthermore, there has been a strengthening among the extreme right wing in Germany, Austria, Greece, Sweden and Hungary where in the latter, the extreme right wing party, the JOBBIK has won 47 out of 386 parliament seats.
In the Slavic nations of the CIS, the frequency of Antisemitic incidents continued to be low. The situation of the Jewish communities in the Muslim countries in the CIS remains sensitive and depends on the non-religious regimes. In this manner, as a response to the political changes in Kirghizstan, a Antisemitic incitement had began and a bomb was thrown at the Bishkek Synagogue during the Days of atonement and Anti-Jewish slogans were written on the building’s walls.
During this present year, agents of the Jewish committee in Holland and in Belgium have spoken in favor of leaving Europe due to the Antisemitic climate.