In France, the number of anti-Semitic acts quadrupled last year, according to the Jewish umbrella organization Crif (Conseil représentatif des institutions juives). He spoke on Wednesday of an “explosion” of anti-Jewish incidents after the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7.
In the entire year of 2023, 1,676 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded – about four times more than in 2022 with 436 incidents. Such a high number has never been recorded before, Crif President Yonathan Arfi said.
According to the Crif report, almost 58 percent were threats or attacks against people. This is distinct from attacks on buildings. Nearly 13 percent of the incidents took place in schools. The organization cites figures from the French Ministry of the Interior and the organization SPCJ, which is committed to the protection of Jews in France.
Hamas attacks a “catalyst of hatred.”
“October 7 acted as a catalyst of hatred by activating latent anti-Semitism,” said Crif President Arfi. In addition, the inhibition thresholds for taking action are lowered. “After October 7, we could have had a compassion effect, like a vaccination,” Arfi said. “The opposite was the case.”
In the aftermath of the Gaza war, an increase in anti-Semitic acts has been recorded in many countries. At the same time, there was also an increase in Islamophobic acts.
Source: Krone
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