Anti-Semitic Incidents Are Increasing in Canada; Bullying Jews on Internet Is a Threat to Society

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports today (April 12, 2011) that anti-Semitism in Canada is on the rise -- and much of it now appears on the Internet.

In total, 1,306 anti-Jewish incidents were reported to the B'nai Brith human rights group in 2010 -- a 3.3 percent increase over the previous year. B'nai Brith tallied 965 cases of harassment, 317 incidents of vandalism, and 24 cases of violence.

"Incidents were reported across Canada in synagogues, schools, playgrounds, on campus, at street rallies, sporting events, workplaces, even reaching people's own homes," said Frank Dimant, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada, at the release yesterday of the group's annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents.

Dimant said the Internet has played a key role in the rise of anti-Semitic incidents. "New technologies are giving a modern twist to age-old anti-Jewish messaging. Cyber-bullying -- in this case anti-Semitic -- is just one of the newest threats to society," Dimant said.