Europe: Stop dwelling on Holocaust

NEW YORK - Despite good faith efforts by government and the international community to counteract the anti-Semitism plaguing Europe, millions of Europeans continue to believe the classical anti-Semitic canards that have dogged Jews through the centuries, according to a new poll released by the Anti-Defamation League.

A survey of 12 European countries revealed that a plurality of Europeans believe Jews are not loyal to their country and that they have too much power in business and finance. The opinion survey of 6,000 adults - 500 in each of the 12 European countries - found either minimal decline, no change or, in some cases, an increase in negative attitudes toward Jews from its 2004 findings.

The survey, "Attitudes Toward Jews in Twelve European Countries," was released to coincide with the Conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Cordoba, Spain, June 8-9.

The countries surveyed were: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and for the first time, Hungary and Poland.

Respondents across the continent were asked a series of indicator questions representing the most pernicious notions of anti-Semitism and whether or not they thought the following four statements were “probably true” or “probably false.”

1. Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country.
2. Jews have too much power in the business world.
3. Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
4. Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust
   

Respondents were also asked whether they agree or disagree with the following statement:

• The Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.
  

Overall, 29 percent of those surveyed across Europe say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions taken by the State of Israel.

Of those respondents whose opinions are influenced, a majority, 53 percent, say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of the actions taken by Israel.

“The findings of this survey demonstrate that individual governments, the EU and the OSCE, who have condemned anti-Semitism and sought ways to counteract it, are being challenged to find a formula that will break down the old stereotypes that die hard,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

“Millions of Europeans still accept a wide range of traditional anti-Semitic stereotypes, including the charge that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their home country. These attitudes help incite and legitimize anti-Semitism and, coupled with an atmosphere where violence against Jews is still prevalent, give us great cause for concern," Foxman said.

Country by Country Findings

In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews are more loyal to Israel than their own country,” the 2005 survey found:

• Austria - 38%, down from 46%
• Belgium - 41%, down from 46%
• Denmark - 43% up from 37%
• France - 29%, up from 28%
• Germany - 50%, no change
• Italy - 55%, down from 57%
• The Netherlands - 36%, down from 44%
• Spain - 51%, up from 48%
• Switzerland - 38%, down from 46%
• United Kingdom - 38% down from 40%
• Hungary - 38%
• Poland - 52%
  

• Austria - 24%, down from 25% in 2004
• Belgium - 33%, down from 37%
• Denmark - 11% up from 9%
• France - 25%, down from 33%
• Germany - 20%, down from 24%
• Italy - 33%, up from 29%
• The Netherlands - 18% no change
• Spain - 45%, down from 47%
• Switzerland - 26%, down from 35%
• United Kingdom - 14% down from 20%
• Hungary - 55%
• Poland - 43%
  

• Austria - 33%, down from 36% in 2004
• Belgium - 33%, down from 36%
• Denmark - 21% up from 18%
• France - 24%, down from 29%
• Germany - 24%, down from 27%
• Italy - 32%, up from 31%
• The Netherlands - 19% no change
• Spain - 54%, up from 53%
• Switzerland - 30%, down from 38%
• United Kingdom - 16% down from 18%
• Hungary - 55%
• Poland - 43%
  

In responding “probably true” to the statement “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust,” the 2005 survey found:

• Austria - 46%, down from 54% in 2004
• Belgium - 41%, up from 40%
• Denmark - 35% up from 29%
• France - 34%, down from 35%
• Germany - 48%, down from 56%
• Italy - 49%, up from 44%
• The Netherlands - 34%, down from 39%
• Spain - 46%, up from 41%
• Switzerland - 48%, down from 49%
• United Kingdom - 28% down from 31%
• Hungary - 46%
• Poland - 52%
  

Regarding Poland and Hungary, the two countries added to the survey who are now members of the EU,  Foxman said, “We are not surprised to find that a high percentage of the respondents hold negative views of Jews, given each country’s history of animus towards Jews. However, we are hopeful that, along with their other EU partners, they will take the necessary steps to make anti-Semitism unacceptable in their societies.”

Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chairwoman, added, “These findings will help guide our deliberations on a European and country by country basis, as we continue the effort to combat anti-Semitism.” We will be working with our European colleagues on a variety of initiatives to educate against anti-Semitism.”

The ADL commissioned First International Resources to conduct the survey. Fielded in Europe by Taylor Nelson Sofres, which conducted a total of 6,000 telephone interviews - 500 in each of the 12 countries in the native language of each of the countries -- among the general population between April 11-May 6, 2005. The margin of error for each country is + or - 4.5% at 95% level of confidence.