Study: Anti-Semitism in Europe hit new high in 2009

[Behind the Aegis]

The worldwide increase in anti-Semitic attacks following Israel's 2009 incursion into Gaza hit the U.K. and France the hardest compared to all other European countries, according to Tel Aviv University's watchdog on anti-Semitism.

In 2009, the U.K. saw 374 manifestations of violence against Jews compared to 112 in 2008, according to the Stephen Roth Institute for the study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism. France was a distant second, with 195 violent attacks compared to 50.

The total number of anti-Semitic incidents - as they are defined by the institute - was a record number of 1,129 in 2009, compared to 559 in 2008. The institute recorded 566 incidents of vandalism targeting Jewish property worldwide in 2009, constituting 49 percent of all incidents.

Four percent of incidents - or 41 instances - were armed assaults against Jews because of their religion, and 15 percent were weaponless assaults. Arson accounted for three percent, or 34 instances. Threats of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions accounted for 29 percent.

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[rpannier]

1. Apalling and Depressing at the same time

I've said it before, "Diamonds aren't forever. Stupid is forever. And it has a bigger following."

Worldwide increase following the incursion into Gaza.

I'm guessing 99% of these crimes were opportunity crimes, rather than done by people who gave a damn about the people in Gaza.
There are racists and anti-Semites out there who wait for something to happen then jump on it to provide cover for their hatred of other peoples

I'm sure the Brits who committed these crimes would outraged if one of their own was assaulted by some dim-wit over the British involvement in Iraq.

My sister-in-law (She's from Moscow) has talked about the neo-Nazi's in Russia who fawn over Hitler.
Yet, Hitler despised Slavic people. Finding them to be one of the lowest lifeforms on Earth.