After the Corona years, the number of anti-Semitic incidents has not decreased as hoped. Last year, a total of 719 incidents were reported to the Anti-Semitism Hotline of the Vienna Jewish Community (IKG), two almost every day. Compared to last year, the number of attacks fell by 25.5 percent, but more violent attacks were reported.
The current number is still the second highest value since documentation began in 2008, IKG President Oskar Deutsch stressed when presenting the report on Monday. In addition, the statistics are only a “small balance” and reveal only part of the anti-Semitism in Austria, he explained.
It only concerns actually reported cases, the number of unreported cases is probably much higher. Last but not least, the pandemic and the associated measures resulted in a record number of reports in 2021. There were then a total of 965 cases registered. Before that – in 2020 – there were significantly less with 585.
Violent attacks often by young Muslims
The intensity of anti-Semitic incidents increased significantly. In particular, the number of physical attacks, threats and damage to property increased, the report shows. These attackers were mainly classified in the category of “Muslim” anti-Semitism, with the perpetrators mostly being young people, IKG Secretary General Benjamin Nagele reported. There were fewer cases of mass letters and generally corona-related cases.
While attacks and threats were disproportionately attributed to “Muslim anti-Semitism,” only nine percent of reported cases were attributed to this. More than half (55 percent) came from the political right spectrum, 20 percent from the left spectrum. “Any anti-Semitic incident is one too many. And I really don’t give a damn where he comes from,” said IKG president Deutsch.
Sad record year
The total number of reported incidents consists of 14 attacks, 21 threats, 122 property damage, 140 mass mailings and 422 incidents of abusive behaviour. In the record year 2021, 12 attacks were registered, making 2022 the highest number of reported anti-Semitic attacks.
The chairman of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP), referred to the responsibility of each individual to take a decisive stand against anti-Semitism in a response. This is not only a danger to Jews, “but to all democracy and our European values”. Combating anti-Semitism requires a social counter-proposal, new thinking and, above all, civic courage.
“Gotta Shake It Up”
The Greens were also concerned. “The increase in violence against children and young people should above all shake us up and leave trauma behind,” says culture spokeswoman Eva Blimlinger in a broadcast.
SPÖ spokeswoman for culture of remembrance, Sabine Schatz, sees the anti-Semitism report as “a continuation of a worrying trend towards more and more anti-Semitism in Austria”. SPÖ Member of Parliament and general reporter against racism and intolerance Petra Bayr also finds the figures worrying. Anti-Semitism is the problem of society as a whole, she stressed in a broadcast.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
