Rising Anti-Jewish Harassment Around the World: A Look at the Latest Data

In a disturbing act of vandalism, tombstones at the Oestre Kirkegaard Jewish cemetery in Randers, Denmark, were found painted with green graffiti. This incident is just one of many examples of anti-Jewish harassment that occurred in 94 countries in 2020, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center.

The study tracks incidents of harassment against Jewish people, ranging from verbal and physical assaults to vandalism of cemeteries. Despite Jews making up only about 0.2% of the world’s population, they were targeted in more countries than any other major religious group besides Christians and Muslims.

In 2020, Jews were the targets of either government restrictions or social hostilities in various regions around the world, including Europe, the Middle East-North Africa, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific region, and sub-Saharan Africa. Incidents included physical assaults, vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, and the spreading of antisemitic conspiracy theories related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For example, in Brazil, a Jewish man was physically assaulted and verbally attacked with antisemitic remarks. In Austria, a Jewish teen wearing a Star of David was attacked after being identified as Jewish. In Ukraine, a Jewish community center was damaged in a firebomb attack. These incidents highlight the pervasive nature of anti-Jewish harassment worldwide.

The Pew Research Center’s study relies on a consistent set of sources to track incidents of harassment against religious groups. The study also analyzes events reported by various organizations and media outlets to provide a comprehensive view of the global landscape of religious restrictions and social hostilities.

While the study does not seek to determine which religious group faces the “most persecution” globally, it sheds light on the widespread nature of harassment against Jews and other religious groups. It is a reminder of the importance of combating antisemitism and promoting religious tolerance and understanding in societies around the world.