Mass exodus of Jews from Europe feared after reported rise in Antisemitism

It is feared there will be an exodus of Jews from Europe, due sharp increase in Anti-Semitism across the continent, particularly in Germany.

Anti-Semitic crimes are at a five-year high in Germany, more than any other country in Europe, according to a new report.

Dr Moshe Kantor, the president of the European Jewish Congress, warned of an exodus occurring:

"If hundreds of thousands of Jews leave the European Union, which is becoming a very strong possibility, then it will be judged a failure," he said yesterday in Brussels.

"Over the past few years, tens of thousands of Jews have left Europe to seek a safer home elsewhere, and today, one-third of Europe's nearly 2.5 million Jews are considering emigration. Whole areas of Europe are being emptied of Jews and not enough is being done."

The EU vice president, Frans Timmermans, said the situation is worse than he would have predicted.

"In the last couple of years we have seen this age-old monster come up again in Europe, which is anti-Semitism.

"We Europeans, whenever we are in trouble, when there is a crisis, we look for people to blame and throughout the ages Jews have been on the receiving end.

"This is unacceptable. I thought we knew better. I wouldn't have thought this would be possible 20 years ago. But it is happening again."

In Germany, 1,596 hate crimes against Jewish people were recorded last year, which is the highest since 2009, reversing a long term trend of declining incidents.

Although Germany is the highest offender in Europe, EU officials warned against singling the nation out, as data collection was patchy in some countries.

Nonetheless, the increase from 1,275 crimes last year is cause for concern, indicating that the far-right still poses a threat to Jewish communities.

In France, the number of hate crimes towards Jewish people doubled to 815 compared with the year before. This is the highest number since 2004, and alarmingly the figures predate the terrorist attack on the Jewish supermarket in January.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland Community Security Trust found that 1168 hate crimes occurred, which is a 118 per cent increase from the previous year of 318.

Several EU member states did not publish data on anti-Semitic incidents causing concern.

"This lack of systematic data collection contributes to gross underreporting of the nature and characteristics of Anti-Semitic incidents that occur in the EU," the report said.

related articles
Neo-Nazi rally in London moved after fierce criticism
Neo-Nazi rally in London moved after fierce criticism

Neo-Nazi rally in London moved after fierce criticism

Outrage at Cardiff ban on photos of Arab-Jewish football match
Outrage at Cardiff ban on photos of Arab-Jewish football match

Outrage at Cardiff ban on photos of Arab-Jewish football match

Thousands join anti-Islam march as Merkel criticised for welcoming refugees

Thousands join anti-Islam march as Merkel criticised for welcoming refugees

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.