EU survey: 96% of European Jews experience antisemitism daily, more than 50% fear for their safety and security

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A whopping 96% of Jews across Europe say they have faced antisemitism in their daily lives, according to a survey conducted by the European Union’s Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) prior to Oct. 7, 2023.

The results of the poll were newly released on Thursday.

FRA questioned 8,000 Jews over the age of 16 in 13 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden. According to FRA, around 96% of Europe's Jewish population resides in those countries.

According to the EU agency, the report "does not give a full picture of the pain and suffering of all those affected since [Hamas attacks in October 2023]. But it does show just how difficult the situation was in Europe for Jewish communities, even before the conflict escalated.”

In 2024, the FRA gathered information from 12 Jewish organizations to evaluate the full impact of the October 7 Hamas attacks and their aftermath on antisemitism in Europe.

In addition to the data collected in 2024, the FRA report was mostly based on online survey conducted before the Gaza war broke out.

The poll revealed that 80% of the Jews surveyed believe antisemitism had increased in recent years. A smaller majority said they worry for their own safety (53%) and their family’s safety (60%). The most common negative stereotypes that Jews encountered were those accusing Jews of “holding power and control over finance, media, politics or economy.” In addition, many said that they had encountered denial of Israel’s right to exist as a state.

Around 37% of those surveyed said that they had been harassed over the past year, with 4% reporting they had experienced physical attacks specifically for being Jewish. This is double the number recorded in 2018, which was the last time FRA surveyed antisemitism.

The steep increase in antisemitism has led to Jews hiding their identity in public, the poll revealed. Some 76% of respondents reported hiding their Jewish identity “at least occasionally,” and 34% said they avoid Jewish events or sites “because they do not feel safe.”

About 75% said they feel non-Jews hold them responsible for whatever actions the Israeli government takes.

Notably, 60% said that governmental efforts to combat antisemitism were not enough.

“The spillover effect of the conflict in the Middle East is eroding hard-fought-for progress” in tackling anti-Jewish hate, Fundamental Rights Agency director Sirpa Rautio said, warning that “Jews are more frightened than ever before.”

“FRA’s consultation with national and European Jewish umbrella organizations in early 2024 shows a dramatic surge” in antisemitic attacks, Rautio added.

France was the most affected country, with 74% of Jews expressing concerns about their safety.

Leading community figures in France are reportedly urging young French Jews to leave the country. Earlier this month, Chief Rabbi Moshe Sebbag of the Grand Synagogue of Paris advised Jewish youth to move to Israel or “a more secure country.”

“It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France,” Sebbag said. “I tell everyone who is young to go to Israel or a more secure country.”