Channels

Photo: Avi Cohen
Anti-semitic attacks on the rise
Photo: Avi Cohen
Charred remains of Lugano synagogue
Photo: Reuters

French anti-Semitism hits 10-year high

Number of attacks on Jews and Muslims doubles; Britain and Canada report similar trend

Anti-Semitic and racist attacks in France during 2004 were at their highest level in nearly 10 years, the Associated Press reported.

 

According to a report issued Monday, there were 1,564 attacks against Jews and Muslim in 2004, 833 more than in 2003. Attacks were at their highest level since 1994.

 

French newspaper Liberation reports there were 970 attacks against Jews, as opposed to 601 in 2003. Most of the attacks came from individuals of “Arab or Muslim extraction”.

 

According to reports, there were 33 violent attacks, as opposed to 22 the previous year. Schools were a primary source of anti-Semitic violence, where anti-Semitism is “particularly apparent” and where anti-Semitism has become “accepted”.

 

Muslims suffered 595 attacks, as opposed to 232 in 2003. Most attacks were perpetrated by far-right activists.

 

50 percent rise in Britain, Canada

 

The French report comes on the heels of a February 2005 report that said anti-Semitic attacks have reached record levels in Britain as well.

 

British Jews suffered 532 attacks in 2004, a nearly 50 percent rise over the previous year. For the first time in five years, there were more attacks on Jews than on Jewish property.

 

Canada reported similar statistics. Bnei Brith Canada reported in March that anti-Semitic attacks reached a 20-year high in 2004, reporting 857 attacks - a 47 percent rise over 2003, and three times as many attacks as in 2000.

 

According to a Jerusalem Post report, Jewish leaders in Canada estimate the actual number of attacks is “10 times higher” than the official numbers. But they also say most of the attacks are verbal rather than physical.

 

In other news, Swiss police arrested a man on suspicion of setting fire to a synagogue and a Jewish-owned store in the city of Lugano last week.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.21.05, 16:26
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment