Desecration of a Jewish grave in Germany
Photo: AP
Neo Nazis at a convention in Pennsylvania
Photo: AP
Anti-Semitism hits 15-year high
Report on world anti-Semitism finds drastic increase in attacks against Jews; violence mainly concentrated in France, Britain and Canada
TEL AVIV - The year 2004 was marked by a drastic increase in anti-Semitic incidents, a Tel Aviv university study revealed on Wednesday, saying the number of violent incidents last year marked the highest recorded since 1989.
Anti-Semitic violence had risen by dozens of percent, especially in physical assaults, the report said. The highest number of such incidents was recorded in France, Britain, Canada and Russia, mainly due to immigrant absorption problems, financial or social difficulties, and prejudice.
Physical attacks on Jews occurred mainly on streets and in educational institutions. About 180 people, including children and teenagers, reported such assaults, saying they were mainly attacked b Muslims.
Anti-Semitic desecration and vandalism also rose, mainly of statues and monuments, cemeteries and private property. The assailants, reported to be mainly extreme rightists, had allegedly struck about 40 schools, 140 statues and cemeteries, 60 synagogues and 60 businesses around the world.
The report was conducted by Tel Aviv’s Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism, the World Jewish Congress and the Anti-Defamation League.
Palestinian uprising sparked wave of anti-Semitism
The recent wave of anti-Semitism started in October 2000, the start of a violent four-year-old Palestinian uprising. The study said 480 severe cases of violence against Jews occurred in 2004 and 20 anti-Semitic terror attacks had been carried out. In 2003, thirty terror incidents and 330 severe occurrences were reported.
Anti-Semitic attacks rose in 2004 mainly in France, Britain and Canada, which are home to large Muslim populations. Violent incidents against Jews in France rose from 64 in 2003 to 96 in 2004. In Britain, 552 total anti-Semitic assaults were reported, including 52 violent incidents, marking the highest number since 1984.
In Canada, 857 incidents against Jews were reported, with 52 characterized as severe, marking a 50 percent increase since 2003. More than half of them were reported to be physically violent.
The number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States rose by 17 percent in 2004, although few violent cases were reported. About 60 incidents occurred at synagogues and Jewish community centers.
