EU report: The extent of anti-Semitism is considerably better | EUROtoday

Germany had essentially the most anti-Semitic incidents within the EU for 3 years in a row – by a large margin: According to the German felony police, there have been 6,236 circumstances final yr. France follows in second place with 1,570 circumstances. This emerges from a report by the EU Agency for Human Rights (FRA), which was revealed on Tuesday on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

If these numbers are something to go by, Germany would have a big downside. Because, because the report additionally emphasizes, each EU member state is legally sure to fight anti-Semitism. Germany would due to this fact need to catch up rather a lot, whereas different international locations hardly have any circumstances of anti-Semitism.

However, in accordance with the EU report, Germany is among the few international locations that systematically data anti-Semitic incidents. Of the 27 EU member states, Germany can solely be in contrast with seven different international locations that gather official information on anti-Semitism.

The EU report states that “despite commitments, significant gaps and discrepancies remain in Member States’ recording of anti-Semitic incidents.” Of a protracted chain of crucial steps to fight anti-Semitic crimes – from reporting, recording, investigation, prosecution to conviction – it largely fails on the very first step.

The scenario has lately deteriorated considerably. FRA writes that Jews within the EU encounter anti-Semitism nearly always. Anti-Semitic incidents and crimes have multiplied since Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel and the following conflict in Gaza.

Contrary to what the information instructed, Germany is highlighted by the EU company as a task mannequin. While France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands have essentially the most reported anti-Semitic incidents, this isn’t an indicator that anti-Semitism is extra widespread. “A higher number of recorded incidents could also indicate improvements and increased efficiency of the existing recording system.” In many international locations, official information didn’t seize the complete extent to which anti-Semitism was widespread of their societies.

An instance of that is Spain: there’s a broad hole between experiences and official information. It is among the international locations that, in accordance with official data, had a minimal variety of anti-Semitic incidents in 2024 – specifically solely 37. In 2020 there have been solely three. Studies, surveys and experiences from civil society, nevertheless, paint a special image. The German Federal Agency for Civic Education additionally wrote in 2021 that Spain was one of many international locations in Western Europe the place anti-Semitism was most pronounced. Surveys would present deep-rooted and anti-Semitic stereotypes.

The president of the Association of Jewish Communities in Spain, David Obadía, additionally advised the Spanish newspaper “La Razón” on the finish of December that anti-Semitism was growing considerably in Spain. “This hate policy has led to insults on the street, graffiti on our property and arson attacks on kosher restaurants. We are forced to have all synagogues permanently guarded.” Spain lately hit the headlines over Jewish life when demonstrators stormed the course of Spain’s Vuelta biking race and erected boundaries to protest towards the participation of an Israeli staff.

The newest report from the EU Human Rights Agency not solely clearly criticizes the scenario in Spain: “Overall, it can be said that the current practice of recording by the relevant authorities within the criminal justice system, combined with the low number of reports, contributes to a gross underestimation of the extent, nature and characteristics of anti-Semitism in the EU.”

The EU company due to this fact sees an awesome want for motion. States must clearly interpret their definitions of anti-Semitic incidents and felony offenses and doubtlessly even align them. There should even be a practical mechanism for regulation enforcement officers to report hate crimes. According to the company, there must also be an trade of “best practice” examples inside the EU.

Overall, civil society and its organizations in addition to the Jewish communities have to be extra concerned, the report concludes. Reports on experiences must also be collected systematically and repeatedly: “The EU and its member states must take into account the lived experience of anti-Semitism among Jews.” This is the one approach victims of anti-Semitism within the EU can demand reparations and stay a lifetime of dignity.