Europe facing ‘wave of antisemitism’, survey finds

Jewish people in the EU continue to face high levels of antisemitism, according to the latest survey from the bloc’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA).

More than 8,000 Jews in 13 EU countries, including Germany and France, were interviewed – with 96% saying they had encountered antisemitism in their daily life.

The vast majority had experienced harassment online.

The FRA’s director, Sirpa Rautio, warned that Europe was facing a “wave of antisemitism” – driven partly by the conflict in the Middle East.

She warned that this was severely limiting the ability of Jewish people in EU countries to “live in safety and with dignity”.

The survey, which looked at participants’ experiences in the year before it was carried out, took place in the first half of 2023 – before the 7 October Hamas attacks and Israel’s resulting military campaign in Gaza.

However, the FRA said there had been a dramatic rise in reported antisemitic attacks since the Gaza war began.

Read more: BBC News