Toronto (April 27, 2020) – The past year has seen a dramatic increase in antisemitic violence around the world, according to a new report released by Tel Aviv University’s Kantor Center for the Study of European Jewry.

The report found an 18% increase in worldwide antisemitic violence in 2019 compared to the year before, with a total of 456 acts of ‘major violence’ against Jews recorded. The growth of antisemitic violence can be attributed to a variety of sources including far-right politicians, ultra-conservative Christian leaders, anti-Israel intellectuals, Islamists, and Iranian propaganda, according to the study.

The report also noted the overwhelming spread of antisemitic blood libels being propagated as coronavirus makes its way across the globe, noting the long historical precedent of Jews being blamed for moments of health crises and economic hardship.

Last week, FSWC released a new report on antisemitic hate spreading across social media in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. FSWC’s report Hate in the Time of Coronavirus: Five Themes of Antisemitic Discourse on Social Media can be accessed HERE.

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