Monday, January 25, 2010

More Anti-Semitic Incidents Recorded in First Quarter of 2009 Than All of 2008

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) website reports today that Anti-Semitic incidents increased dramatically around the world -- especially in Western Europe -- during 2009, according to an annual report.

In response to the report by the Coordination Forum for Countering Anti-Semitism that was unveiled yesterday (January 24, 2010), the Israeli Cabinet decided to establish a team to recommend ways to step up the struggle against anti-Semitism.

The report found that more Anti-Semitic incidents were recorded during the first three months of 2009 than during the entire previous year. Israel's Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip was cited as the cause for the dramatic rise.

France recorded the largest increase, with 631 anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of 2009, compared with 474 in all of 2008. Britain was next with more than 600 incidents in 2009, compared to 541 incidents in 2008.

The incidents were also notable for being more serious, with hundreds being considered extremely violent. Eight murders were attributed to anti-Semitism in 2009.

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