Jewish Agency Report: Bet. 2022 and 2024 Global Antisemitism Surged 340%

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The World Zionist Organization and The Jewish Agency for Israel reported a staggering 340% increase in global antisemitic incidents in 2024 compared to 2022 and nearly a 100% rise compared to 2023. This alarming trend was detailed in their annual report on global antisemitism, presented to President Itzhak Herzog.

The report, unveiled ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed a year marked by extreme antisemitic incidents. Focusing on key trends in global antisemitism, the report compares data from 2022 to 2024. The year 2022 served as a baseline due to its lack of extraordinary events influencing antisemitism levels, unlike 2023, which was profoundly affected by the events of October 7 and their aftermath. In contrast, 2024 marked a peak year for antisemitic incidents across most surveyed countries.

THE REPORT’S KEY FINDINGS

• North America: The situation is particularly alarming. In the United States, there was a 288% increase in antisemitic incidents, peaking in April 2024. The incidents included severe acts of violence, such as the murder of Dr. Ben Harouni in San Jose, California; attacks on synagogues; and violence in educational institutions. The American political arena was also affected, with attacks on Jewish candidates from both parties and harassment at polling stations. In Canada, the situation is even more severe, with a 562% increase in antisemitic incidents, a quarter of which were violent.
• Europe: The trends are equally concerning. In France, there was an increase of over 350% in antisemitic incidents, with 28% involving violence. A comprehensive public opinion survey showed that 64% of French people believe that Jews have reason to fear for their lives in the country. In the United Kingdom, there was a 450% increase in antisemitic incidents, with almost 2,000 incidents in the first half of 2024 alone.
• Far East: There has been a troubling emergence of “new” antisemitism. In China, social media platforms were flooded with antisemitic content and conspiracy theories, including Holocaust denial and comparisons to Hitler. The Israeli embassy in China described the situation as a “tsunami” of hostility. In Japan and Taiwan, there were anti-Israel protests and Nazi gestures, a new phenomenon in the region.
• Latin America: The situation is complex and varied. In Brazil, President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva’s statements led to a diplomatic crisis with Israel, but also to a wave of antisemitic expressions on social media. In Chile, there was a 325% increase in antisemitic incidents, while Argentina saw a slight decrease in reported incidents, although there are concerns about future economic-related antagonism.
• South Africa: There was a 185% increase in antisemitic incidents, with clear antisemitic expressions accompanied by calls for boycotts of Israel and anti-Israel propaganda. It is noted that there may be underreporting in South Africa due to a lack of registration and reporting of incidents, and the actual number of antisemitic incidents is likely higher.
• Australia: There was a sharp 387% increase in antisemitic incidents, with a combination of antisemitic demonstrations and anti-Israel propaganda. Incidents included synagogue arson, property vandalism, and physical assaults.
• Former Soviet Union: The year 2024 was marked by a significant escalation in anti-Jewish and anti-Israel rhetoric. The tragic event at Crocus City Hall near Moscow, where 145 people were killed, became fertile ground for spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories, especially on social media. A series of violent attacks in Dagestan in June 2024, including the burning of synagogues and churches and the murder of 22 people, was accompanied by a widespread online incitement campaign. In Lithuania, an openly antisemitic party won third place in the parliament and even received ministerial portfolios.
• Arab and Muslim World: Iran continues to lead an extreme antisemitic line, combining the denial of Israel’s right to exist with extensive anti-Jewish propaganda and support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. The struggle against Israel has become a central component in shaping Iranian political identity and has significantly influenced the spread of hate and antisemitic conspiracy theories. In contrast, countries like Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates are taking a more pragmatic approach at the government level, although public opinion does not necessarily align with the moderation displayed by their leaders.
• Global Event Analysis: Antisemitic propaganda leads with more than 41% of all incidents, while violent events account for about 15.5% of documented cases. About a quarter of the incidents are directly related to Israeli policy and the Middle East conflict. There is a significant increase in the use of social media to spread antisemitic content, often linked to anti-Israel protests.
• Impact on Jewish Communities: The impact on Jewish communities worldwide is profound and wide-ranging. There has been a significant reduction in community activities, increased security measures, and changes in daily life patterns, including the concealment of Jewish symbols in public spaces. Government responses vary, from full support in combating antisemitism to indifference and even open hostility.
• Digital Antisemitism: The year 2024 marks a severe turning point in the spread of antisemitism in the digital space, with a more than 300% increase in antisemitic content compared to the previous year. Analysis of antisemitic content patterns shows that classical antisemitism accounts for 38.5% of reported content, Holocaust denial accounts for 21.1%, and anti-Israel and anti-Zionist content accounts for 15.4%. A significant phenomenon identified is the increasing use of the term “Zionism” and its derivatives as a cover for traditional antisemitic expressions, leading Meta to recognize anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism in certain contexts.