The student, 19, was attacked by three men on the Vienna underground while she was reading the historical book The Jew in the Modern World for a Jewish studies course.
Anti-Defamation League calls on world leaders to educate against anti-Jewish prejudice following increase of nearly 65% in number of anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the latest round of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian terror groups
April 27, 2021 03:10:01 pm
The Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) recorded the largest-ever number of Austrian anti-Semitic incidents in 2020, detailing more than 580 incidents in its 2020 annual report released Monday. These incidents ranged from physical attacks and vandalism to verbal abuse and anti-Semitic commentary online, and notably included incidents linked to coronavirus lockdowns.
The IKG uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which is “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”. Last year’s 585 marked a 6.4 percent increase from 2019’s 550 incidents and a striking rise in the past 10 years since 2010’s 70 incidents. This trend aligns closely with the US-based Anti-Defamation League’s
Tara Kavaler 05/27/2021
Experts agree education is the key to fighting hatred of Jews, but disagree on how to define antisemitism
Jewish communities around the world have experienced a surge in anti-Semitism since the 11-day Israel-Gaza flare-up began on May 10; but the question remains, what can be done about it?
Experts in human rights and Jewish groups say that education is the long-term answer to this form of hatred, but disagree on the approach.
In the US, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, told The Media Line that the number of antisemitic incidents was up nearly 65% in the two weeks since the start of the recent hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as compared to the same period last year leading up to May 10.
Number of antisemitic incidents hit record last year in Austria
The number of antisemitic incidents in Austria has hit a record last year, according to a study.
The number rose by 6.4% in 2020 to 585 nationwide, according to an annual report by the Anti-Semitism Reporting Office, which officially represents the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG).
It represents the highest level since the Jewish community began its official records 19 years ago
Around 40% of the incidents had a right-wing political motivation (229), while 15% were tied to the left. The second largest category was “not possible to assign” with 195 incidents.
Abusive behavior, including online abuse, was responsible for 62 percent of incidents with physical attacks accounting for 11 incidents, up from six in 2019. The only category that did not increase was regarding property damage.