ADL survey in ten European countries finds antisemitism at disturbingly high levels

Antisemitic attitudes in ten European countries remain at “disturbingly high levels,” according to a new poll from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released today, with large swaths of the population subscribing to classical anti-Semitic notions such as Jews having too much power in business, being more loyal to Israel than their own country, or “talking too much” about what happened during the Holocaust.

 Attitudes Toward Jews in Ten European Countries , an ADL opinion survey of 5,000 adults – 500 in each of ten European countries – revealed that pernicious antisemitic beliefs continue to be held by nearly one-third of those surveyed.

 

The poll was conducted between Jan. 2-31, 2012 in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.  The survey has a margin of error of between +/- 4.43 and +/- 4.85, depending on the specific country.

 

“The survey is disturbing by the fact that antisemitism remains at high levels across the continent and infects many Europeans at a much higher level than we see here in the United States,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  “In Hungary, Spain and Poland the numbers for antisemitic attitudes are literally off-the-charts and demand a serious response from political, civic and religious leaders.”

 

In France, where a shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse yesterday claimed the lives of three small children and a teacher, the overall level of anti-Semitism increased to 24 percent of the population, an increase from 20 percent in a previous ADL poll conducted in 2009.  In France, 45 percent of respondents attributed the violence against European Jews to anti-Jewish feelings, an increase from 39 percent in 2009.

 

Other findings for France include: 45 percent of the population responded “probably true” to the statement “Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country; 35 percent agreed that “Jews have too much power in the business world; and 24 percent believe that “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them during the Holocaust.

 

When asked for their opinion about antisemitic violence directed against Jews, and whether that violence is the result of anti-Jewish feelings as opposed to anti-Israel sentiment, overall, 39 percent of Europeans responded that it was the result of anti-Jewish sentiments.  “In France, you have a volatile mix,” Mr. Foxman said.  “France has seen an increase in the level of anti-Semitism. At the same time, more people today believe that violence directed against European Jews is fueled by anti-Jewish attitudes as opposed to anti-Israel sentiment.   “Those increases are all the more disturbing in light of the shooting attack at the Jewish school in Toulouse.”

 

In comparison with a similar ADL poll conducted in 2009, several of the countries showed dangerously high levels in the overall level of antisemitism, while other countries experienced more modest increases.

 

The overall findings among the countries for which comparison data is available:

 

 

Austria experienced a slight decrease, to 28 percent from 30 percent in 2009.

 

 

France: The overall level of anti-Semitism increased to 24 percent of the population, up from to 20 percent in 2009.

 

 

Germany: Antisemitism increased by one percentage point, to 21 percent of the population.

 

Hungary: The level rose to 63 percent of the population, compared with 47 percent in 2009;

 

 

Poland: The number remained unchanged, with 48 percent of the population showing deep-seated antisemitic attitudes.

 

 

Spain: Fifty-three percent (53%) percent of the population, compared to 48 percent in 2009.

 

 

United Kingdom: Antisemitic attitudes jumped to 17 percent of the population, compared to 10 percent in 2009.

 

 

Country by Country Findings on Antisemitic Attitudes

 

 

In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews are more loyal to Israel” than their own country, the 2012 survey found:

 

 

Austria – 47%, unchanged from 2009

 

 

France – 45%, up from 38% in 2009

 

 

Germany – 52%, down from 53% in 2009

 

 

Hungary – 55%, up from 40% in 2009

 

 

Italy – 61% in 2012

 

 

Netherlands – 47% in 2012

 

 

Norway – 58% in 2012

 

 

Poland – 61%, down from 63% in 2009

 

 

Spain – 72%, up from 64% in 2009

 

 

The United Kingdom – 48%, up from 37% in 2009

 

 

In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews have too much power in the business world,” the 2012 survey found:

 

 

Austria – 30%, down from 36% in 2009

 

 

France –  35%, up from 33% in 2009

 

 

Germany – 22%, up from 21% in 2009

 

 

Hungary – 73%, up from 67% in 2009

 

 

Italy – 39% in 2012

 

 

The Netherlands – 10% in 2012

 

 

Norway – 21% in 2012

 

 

Poland – 54%, down from 55% in 2009

 

 

Spain – 60%, up from 56% in 2009

 

 

The United Kingdom – 20%, up from 15% in 2009

 

 

In responding “probably true” to the statement “Jews have too much power in international financial markets,” the 2012 survey found:

 

 

Austria – 38%, up from 37% in 2009

 

 

France – 29%, up from 27% in 2009

 

 

Germany – 24%, up from 22% in 2009

 

 

Hungary – 75%, up from 59% in 2009

 

 

Italy – 43% in 2012

 

 

The Netherlands – 17% in 2012

 

 

Norway — 23% in 2012

 

 

Poland – 54%, unchanged from 2009

 

 

Spain – 67%, down from 74% in 2009

 

 

The United Kingdom – 22%, up from 15% in 2009

 

 

In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust,” the 2012 survey found:

 

 

Austria – 45%, down from 55% in 2009

 

 

France – 35%, up from 33% in 2009

 

 

Germany – 43%, down from 45% in 2009

 

 

Hungary – 63%, up from 56% in 2009

 

 

Italy – 48% in 2012

 

 

The Netherlands – 31% in 2012

 

 

Norway – 25% in 2012

 

 

Poland – 53%, down from 55% in 2009

 

 

Spain – 47%, up from 42% in 2009

 

 

The United Kingdom – 24%, up from 20% in 2009