One in three eu citizens perceives growing anti-semitism

According to a study, about one in three EU citizens perceives an increase in anti-semitism in their country – but the proportion is much higher among the jewish population.

This is the result of a eurobarometer survey published in brussels. "Unfortunately, anti-semitism still rears its ugly head all over europe," said EU commission vice president frans timmermans. EU justice commissioner vera jourova stressed: "no one should be afraid to visit a synagogue or wear a kippa in the EU." at 27. January is international holocaust memorial day.

The perception of EU citizens as a whole differs significantly from that of the jewish population. This is shown by a comparison of the new survey with a survey of the EU agency for fundamental rights, which had questioned the jewish population in twelve EU countries in december. According to the report, 36 percent of the population as a whole perceive increasing anti-semitism, while among jews the figure is 90 percent.

Jourova stressed tuesday that awareness of anti-semitism is greater in countries with large jewish communities – including germany. Many people there have jewish friends or there have been attacks on the jewish community, the media reported. In germany, 61 percent of the population perceive increasing anti-semitism; in sweden, the figure is as high as 73 percent.

In principle, one in two EU citizens (50 percent) considers anti-semitism to be a problem in their country. Awareness of anti-semitism is much higher in some countries, including germany. Here, two-thirds of the population (66 percent) see anti-semitism as a problem, in france as many as 72 percent and in sweden 81 percent. EU-wide, one in two respondents believes that holocaust denial is a problem in their country.

According to the survey, there is often a lack of knowledge about jewish history and customs. According to the survey, two out of three EU citizens said the public was not very well informed (52 percent) or not informed at all (16 percent) about it. In germany, ignorance is even greater. Here, three out of four respondents said people were not very well informed (61 percent) or not informed at all (13 percent). 23 percent of germans even think that denying the holocaust is not a punishable offense in the federal republic.

Lack of education is the cause of this ignorance, according to jourova. "Education is not only the key to understanding the shoah as an abyss of humanity, but also to growing awareness of anti-semitism and how it is still alive in europe today," she said tuesday. Across the eu, 42 percent of citizens think the holocaust is not taught enough in school. In germany, 36 percent.

In december, the interior ministers of the EU member states adopted a declaration on the fight against anti-semitism. Among other things, they call for better protection of jewish communities and institutions.