Swastika graffiti (illustration)
Swastika graffiti (illustration)Reuters

Education Minister Naftali Bennett together with Ministry of Diaspora Affairs Dvir Kahana presented the Sunday morning Cabinet meeting the Coordination Forum for Countering Anti-Semitism (CFCA) Annual Evaluation 2015 Present situation and tendencies report.

Minister Bennett began by presenting the emerging trends of the spread of radical Islam, the worsening refugee crisis and immigrants, calls for a boycott of Israel and the rise of the extreme right.

These trends represent a significant challenge to the fabric of Jewish life in Europe and elsewhere. The minister clarified that the source of the violence and murderous attacks comes from Muslims who are born and educated in Europe, and not from newly arriving refugees.

Trends in anti-Semitism include:

  • Demonstrations against Israel and accusing Israel of being bloodthirsty and illegitimate, creating an effect that leads to attacks against Jews who support and identify with Israel.
  • More than 40% of EU citizens hold anti-Semitic views, agreeing with the statement that “Israel is conducting a war of extermination against the Palestinians," or the claim that “Israel is behaving like the Nazis." The leadership of the EU and its sember states have ignored this fact for over a decade.
  • The BDS movement is gaining momentum in Europe, and promotes boycotting not only Israel but also Jewish representatives and events.
  • The increasing volume of incitement on the Internet and social networks across borders.
  • In France, despite government efforts the percentage of Jews who are considering to emigrate now stands at 57%. The number of anti-Semitic incidents in France between January and May 2015 increased to 84%.
  • Anti-Semitism in campuses across the United States: 75% of Jewish students on US campuses have experienced or witnessed anti-Semitism; An increase of more than 30% of anti-Israeli programs in campuses across the country; Movements on campus, such as "Students for Palestine," are winning the support of the faculty and academic staff; Struggles against the rise in tuition fees accuse that it is due to the indirect ruling "with the regime Zionist "and that "the Israelis are responsible for the financial woes of the world."
  • Continuous incitement of the Palestinian Authority's official television channels and education programs for children, which use demonization and classic anti-Semitic accusations.

Minister Bennett noted that, congruent to Muslims attacks, anti-Semitism against Jews in Europe is specifically worsening, and each time wears a new mark. "Anti-Semitism quietly seeks to find a safe place in buildings of the institutions under the roofs of organizations dealing with alleged human rights, and there is aggravated incitement and hatred.”

Bennett emphasized that "the Ministry of Diaspora holds the utmost importance with dealing with the struggle against anti-Semitism, as an integral part of mutual responsibility between Israel and the Diaspora. We will continue to eradicate illiteracy, return confidence to communities, and ensure Jewish life in the Diaspora can fully thrive."

Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora, Dvir Kahana, added, "the ministry headquarters built a multi-year strategic plan to combat anti-Semitism, shared by relevant government agencies. The program this year will include efforts focused on reducing incitement on the Internet, providing a policy tool for governments and organizations to combat the phenomenon, and assist communities that are under threat and those affected by anti-Semitism."

To read the full report, click here.