Czech society sees huge rise in anti-Semitism since last year

The number of anti-Semitic incidents in the Czech Republic rose by roughly 90 percent in 2023, according to a report released by the Federation of Jewish Communities. The organization recorded a total of 4,328 incidents, compared to 2,277 in the previous year. The significant rise is attributed to a surge in online hate speech, particularly on social media platforms.

"This trend is not new, as anti-Semitism has been primarily present in the virtual environment for some time now," said the Federation of Jewish Communities. The report also revealed that 98 percent of the incidents were expressions of hate on the internet, with only two physical attacks reported in the last five years.

The federation's annual report, released on Monday, stated that the majority of the incidents were fueled by online posts and arguments related to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The war, which began in October 2023, saw a rapid jump in anti-Semitic incidents in the Czech Republic. From October to December last year, anti-Semitic acts rose by as much as 250 percent.

However, the federation noted that the numbers may not reflect the actual situation, as they only take into account incidents reported in open sources. "The level of reporting of hate crimes remains insufficient, due to factors such as stigmatization, mistrust of institutions, and concerns about personal safety," the report stated.

The report also highlighted a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents against individuals, with 72 recorded last year, almost twice as many as in 2020. Despite this, the organization emphasized that the Czech Republic remains a safe country for the Jewish community.

The report revealed that the majority of incidents involved false, dehumanizing, or demonizing claims, as well as conspiracy theories. It also noted a rise in the so-called "new anti-Semitism," which targets Israel and its people. This type of hate speech increased by 208 percent in 2023, making up approximately one-third of the total number of incidents.

The Federation of Jewish Communities urged for increased awareness and action to combat anti-Semitism, both online and offline. It also called for better reporting and addressing of hate crimes, as well as standing in solidarity with the Jewish community.