Israeli report: 2009 saw most anti-Semitic incidents in western Europe since World War II
By APSunday, January 24, 2010
Israelis says anti-Semitism peaked in 2009
JERUSALEM — The findings of an Israeli report released Sunday says 2009 saw the most anti-Semitic incidents in western Europe since World War II.
The report by an Israel-led umbrella of organizations dedicated to the combat of anti-Semitism outlined hundreds of violent incidents in Britain, France and Holland.
It said the number of incidents in the first three months of 2009 in western Europe surpassed that of all of 2008. That followed Israel’s invasion of Gaza, which evoked harsh reactions.
In France, for example, there were 631 anti-Jewish incidents in the first half of 2009, of which 113 were violent, according to the report. Worldwide, eight people were killed in attacks last year.
Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky pledged to dispatch representatives from the semi-governmental organization to combat what he said was growing anti-Semitism at European universities.
The Israel-based agency deals with immigration and Jewish issues.
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On the Net: www.antisemitism.org.il/
