Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day to be commemorated on January 27, Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett today presented the annual anti-Semitism report for 2017 to the government.
Bennett said, "Again in 2017 we saw a strong anti-Semitic presence online. Much of this discourse was related to the changes in governments around the world, the refugee crisis, and the visibility of anti-Semitism in social media. We must act with all available tools against current anti-Semitism to ensure the security of the Jewish People, in Israel and the Diaspora."
The report included the following points:
- A record number of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.K., with a 78% increase in physical attacks and an overall 30% increase in the number of events;
- A rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, mainly in light of the refugee crisis and the reaction to it, with a new edition of 'Mein Kampf' becoming a best-seller;
- The refugee population becoming a risk factor for Jewish communities, with over 50% of refugees in Western Europe holding anti-Semitic sentiments;
- Rise of Nazi groups in Europe and the US;
- Continuous increase in anti-Semitic discourse in the Left, especially on college campuses;
- Anti-Semitic incidents doubling in the Ukraine, including dozens of acts of vandalism against memorials, museums, and synagogues;
- A PEW survey in 18 European countries from May 2017 found 20% not interested in accepting Jews in their countries, 30% don't want Jews as neighbors. 22% of Romanians and 18% of Poles would like to revoke citizenship of local Jews.
Bennett added: "Anti-Semitism is the dangerous fuel feeding our enemies for generations. We must ensure every Jew in the world can live a safe and dignified life."