Report finds 340% surge in antisemitism worldwide
Antisemitism surged globally by an unprecedented 340% between 2022 and 2024, according to a report released on Sunday.
The study, prepared by the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and the Jewish Agency for Israel, said the sharp increase in attacks, harassment and conspiracy theories poses a threat to the safety of Jewish communities, erodes democratic values, and requires collective action.
The report was presented to Israeli President Isaac Herzog ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day which is on Jan. 27.
“Antisemitism may start with Jews, but it never ends with them,” warned Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization.
The United States saw a staggering 288% rise in antisemitic incidents, peaking in April 2024. Among these were violent acts, including the murder of Dr. Ben Harouni in San Jose, attacks on synagogues, and disruptions at educational institutions. Jewish candidates faced harassment during elections, and polling stations became hotspots for antisemitic abuse. Canada’s numbers were even more severe, with a 562% increase, a quarter of which involved violence.
Europe also reported alarming statistics. France experienced a 350% rise in incidents, 28% of which were violent, while a public opinion survey revealed that 64% of French citizens believe Jews have reason to fear for their safety. The United Kingdom documented a 450% increase, with nearly 2,000 incidents reported in just the first half of 2024.
The Far East is emerging as a new front for antisemitism. In China, social media platforms were inundated with Holocaust denial content and comparisons to Hitler, described by the Israeli embassy as a “tsunami” of hostility. Japan and Taiwan saw unprecedented anti-Israel protests accompanied by Nazi salutes, signalling a disturbing trend in regions previously less affected by such sentiments.
Latin America presented a complex picture. In Brazil, antisemitic expressions surged following controversial statements by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Chile reported a 325% rise in incidents, while Argentina saw a slight decline but remains under scrutiny for potential economic-related antisemitism.
Meanwhile, South Africa recorded a 185% increase, though underreporting likely means the real numbers are higher. Incidents included boycotts, propaganda, and violent rhetoric targeting Jewish communities.
Australia’s antisemitic incidents soared by 387% in 2024. Violent acts such as synagogue arson, property vandalism, and physical assaults highlighted the growing threat, accompanied by widespread demonstrations and anti-Israel propaganda.
In the former Soviet Union, antisemitism took on violent and conspiratorial dimensions. The Crocus City Hall tragedy near Moscow, where 145 people were killed, became a breeding ground for antisemitic conspiracy theories. In Dagestan, a series of attacks in June 2024 included the burning of synagogues and the murder of 22 people. Lithuania saw an openly antisemitic political party rise to third place in parliament, securing ministerial positions.
The Arab and Muslim world presented a dual narrative. Iran maintained its aggressive antisemitic rhetoric, intertwining anti-Jewish propaganda with denial of Israel’s right to exist. Conversely, nations like Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates showed what the report described as “government-level pragmatism,” although public sentiment often lagged behind.
Social media remains a key vector for spreading antisemitism. Digital antisemitism rose by over 300% in 2024, with classical antisemitism accounting for 38.5% of content and Holocaust denial for 21.1%. Notably, “anti-Zionism” increasingly serves as a euphemism for traditional antisemitic expressions. Platforms have struggled to curb this surge, despite recognition by some, like Meta, of the overlap between anti-Zionist rhetoric and antisemitism.
“The data shows that while traditional antisemitic expressions are being pushed to the margins, the term ‘Zionism’ and its derivatives have become a new code for expressing hatred towards Jews,” said the report’s author, Dr. Raheli Baratz, who heads the WZO’s Department for Combating Antisemitism.
“This is not a coincidence — it is a deliberate change in language aimed at making antisemitism socially acceptable,” said Baratz. “When a person or organization uses the term ‘anti-Zionist,’ they are often not expressing a legitimate political position but rather are reviving historical antisemitic patterns under a contemporary guise of legitimacy. It is important to see the trend of semantic change as a warning light not only for the Jewish community but for any democratic society striving to maintain its values.”