ADL: Surge in Global Anti-Semitism

The Anti-Defamation League has issued a report citing a “dramatic surge” in global anti-Semitic incidents and attacks on Jewish institutions during Israel’s operation in Gaza in July and August. “From France to the Argentina, from Canada to Chile, synagogues were attacked, Jewish cultural centers were vandalized, Jewish shops were threatened and identifiably Jewish individuals beaten on the street,” ADL National Director Abe Foxman said.

The report, which lists anti-Semitic incidents outside the United States over the past two months, paints a bleak picture of the current global landscape for Jews. While it’s not entirely surprising that anti-Semitic incidents spike during an Israeli military operation, particularly one in which the Palestinian casualty count is so high, or that anti-Israel protests devolve so quickly into anti-Semitism, the scope of countries included on the list is certainly troubling.

Here are a few examples:

Argentina:
• July 15 – Mendoza – The Jewish Cultural Center was vandalized with the slogans “Out of Gaza,” “Eternal impunity,” and a swastika inside a Star of David.

Chile:
• July 21 – Santiago – The Jewish community reported the following incidents: Community members receiving threats over the phone relating to Gaza, an Orthodox man was chased for 4 blocks and was insulted and called a Jewish assassin, Jewish businessmen received Gaza-related insults, and Jewish community leaders received insults via Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.

Morocco:
• July 11 – Casablanca – The rabbi of the Jewish community was attacked by an assailant, who reportedly told the rabbi that it was in retribution for Israeli air-strikes on Gaza. The rabbi suffered a broken nose and ribs.

The Netherlands:
• August 2 – Gorinchem – A Holocaust monument was defaced with “Free Gaza” graffiti.

Turkey:
• July 22 – Istanbul – During an anti-Israel protest in front of the Ortaköy Synagogue, eggs were thrown at the synagogue.

You can read the full report here.

Previous: Why Europe Has Trouble Fighting Anti-Semitism
Anti-Israel Protests Make the Case for Israel