Anti-Semitism is unfortunately prospering in Europe

By Alison Lesley --
23 Jan 2015 --

Recent surveys show that most British Jews feel anti-Semitism is on the rise.

Two surveys were conducted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, or CAA, online to find out just how antisemitism has been rising in Britain, as well as in Europe. The first survey was based online with the market research firm, YouGov, and found that 45% of all Britons believe in anti-Semitic views. The second survey was directed toward Jewish British citizens to learn of their feelings concerning the numerous hate crimes committed over the past few years toward Jewish citizens. The surveys came just ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust’s ending, and just after UK police officers revealed that hate crimes targeting the Jews are rising.

Last year, 2014, experienced the most anti-Semitic incidents recorded in 30 years. In July, 95% of hate crimes were aimed toward Jews. In the Paris terror attacks, four Jewish people were gunned down. This was one week before the detailed survey began. Over 70 hate crimes in London were recorded between April and December 2014, which is nearly double the amount that occurred during the same period in 2013. Manchester police reported a rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes as well.

British Jewish citizens make up roughly 0.4% of Britain’s population. Just over 360 years ago, Oliver Cromwell allowed Jewish persons to be admitted back into the area, but these studies demonstrate that many Britons still cling to anti-Jewish opinions. The CAA, however, stresses that Britain “is not yet at the levels seen in most of Europe.” For example, in France, which previously held 500,000 in their Jewish population, it is believed that over 100,000 have fled the country.

“The results of our survey are a shocking wake-up call straight after the atrocities in Paris. Britain is at its tipping point,” says the chairman of the CAA, Gideon Falter. “Unless antisemitism is met with zero-tolerance, it will grow and British Jews will increasingly question their place in their own country. Britain’s Jews must be shown they are not alone.”

Praying for the safety of all British Jews in our nation. Anti-Semitic prejudice has no right in today's society.
— Jon Norman (@jonnorman_) January 18, 2015

Survey Results are Disturbing

The online survey for the Jewish population was conducted between December 23rd and January 11th, a period that included the attacks in Paris targeting the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a kosher market, led France to add additional security in Jewish schools and synagogues.

The survey was published Wednesday, January 14, 2015. It included 2,230 British Jews. It found that well over half of British Jews feel they may not have a long-term future with Europe. 45% feel their families are threatened by Islamist extremism, and 77% have seen antisemitism disguised as political remarks about Israel. Many have considered fleeing the country out of fear for the futures.

The survey by YouGov, which focused on Britons in general, found that one in six feel that Jews think they are above others and have far too much power in media. One in four Brits strongly believe that they chase money more than others, and 1 in 10 claimed that Jewish people were less honest about business than others. One in five feel that Jewish loyalty to Israel made them less loyal to the UK, and 10% of all Brits surveyed say they would be unhappy if one of their family were to marry a Jewish person.