Antisemitism in Switzerland reached ‘unprecedented level’ in 2024, study finds

Antisemitic incidents in Switzerland have reached an “unprecedented level,” rising 43 percent in 2024, according to a new report by the Swiss Federation of Israelite Communities (SIG) and the GRA Foundation against Racism and Antisemitism.

Some 221 antisemitic incidents were recorded during the year, compared to 155 in 2023 and 57 in 2022, the report says.

The report notes a sharp rise in physical violence during the year, including an attempted arson attack on a synagogue and 11 cases of assault.

A knife attack in Zurich by a teen who is said to have shouted “Death to Jews” nearly killed a 50-year-old man, the report notes.

Another 1,596 incidents were recorded online, with over 55% found on the Telegram platform. The figure is based on new software used for monitoring online media, and cannot be compared with previous figures, SIG says.

The rise in antisemitism since Hamas launched its war against Israel on October 7, 2023, has significantly affected the Jewish community’s sense of security, with many now avoiding displaying religious symbols in public out of fear of harassment or violence, the report says.

The SIG and GRA call for stronger government action, including increased security for Jewish institutions and legal measures to combat online hate speech.