Antisemitism survey findings Q&A

Over 70 years after the Holocaust, Jews across the EU continue to experience antisemitism in the form of vandalism, insults, threats, attacks and even murder. The persistence and prevalence of antisemitism hinders their ability to live openly Jewish lives, free from fears for their security and well-being, as the survey from 2018 and the first survey from 2012 show.

Many antisemitic incidents are not reported. In addition, FRA found official data on reported antisemitic incidents to be missing in eight EU Member States for 2017. But only with robust and reliable data can the fight against antisemitism be effectively fought. These survey findings provide policymakers with the evidence they need to refine existing or devise new courses of action to prevent and counter antisemitism.

The online survey took place during May and June 2018. Based on experiences with the 2012 survey, FRA used online surveying. This allowed respondents to complete the survey when and where it was most convenient for them, at their own pace, and in their national language. The online method also allowed all interested self-identified Jewish people in the survey countries to potentially take part and share their experiences. In addition, it was the method which could be easily used to cover all selected countries equally.

FRA also carried out the survey in Latvia. Given the low responses to the online campaign in Latvia, a different methodology was applied. This limits the scope for comparisons between Latvia and the other survey countries.

The survey was open to individuals aged 16 years and over who consider themselves Jewish – based on religion, culture, upbringing, ethnicity, parentage or any other reason – and who were living in one of the survey countries. The results are based on 16,395 Jews in 12 EU Member States – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. These Member States are home to over 96% of the EU’s estimated Jewish population. The Latvian results are annexed.

The survey report also contains quotes from respondents.

• 85% of respondents rate antisemitism as the biggest social or political problem in countries where they live.
• 89% feel that it has increased in their country in the five years before the survey.
• They assess antisemitism as being most problematic on the internet and on social media (89%), followed by public spaces (73%), media (71%) and in political life (70%).

• 28% of respondents have been harassed at least once in the past year.
• Those who can be recognised as Jewish are subject to more antisemitic harassment (37%) than those who are not (21%).
• 79% who were harassed did not report the most serious incident to the police or to any other organisation.
• 3% were physically attacked because they are Jewish in the five years before the survey.

• 47% of respondents worry about receiving an antisemitic verbal insult or being harassed in the next 12 months.
• 40% worry about being physically attacked in that same period.
• 34% avoid visiting Jewish events or sites because they do not feel safe.
• 38% have considered emigrating because they did not feel safe as Jews.
• 70% believe that their national governments’ efforts to combat antisemitism are ineffective.

• 11% felt discriminated against in employment, education, health or housing because they are Jewish.
• 77% of those who experienced discrimination did not report the most serious incident to any authority or organisation.
• This is consistent with findings of other victimisation surveys. FRA’s research has consistently shown that victims of discrimination and hate crime – LGBTI people, migrants and minorities, women who have been victims of gender-based violence – are often reluctant to report incidents to the the authorities or police.

Comparisons are possible for the seven countries included in both surveys – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Sweden and the UK. However, due to the nature of an open online survey, the comparison should be read with caution as it is affected by several factors.

• Member States should work closely with a broad range of stakeholders, including Jewish and non-Jewish communities and civil society, to develop and evaluate measures to prevent and combat antisemitism.
• Preventative measures should include awareness raising, particularly focusing on Holocaust education.
• Member States should continue keeping Jewish sites and communities safe.
• Member States should carry out regular victimisation surveys to help assess the effectiveness of laws and policies.
• Member States should fully and correctly transpose the EU Victims’ Rights Directive and the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia into their national law. This would ensure victims get the support they deserve and perpetrators are sentenced with effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties. This would in turn encourage victims to speak out and report incidents.
• Member States should encourage victims of discrimination and hate crime to report incidents to the relevant authorities through awareness raising and information campaigns.