New York Times probes anti-Semitism in Hungary

Online survey asks Hungarian Jews to describe their experiences, after EU poll shows that half have considered emigrating

The New York Times is conducting a survey of Hungarian Jews to help deepen its coverage of anti-Semitism in that country.

The survey, published online Tuesday, asks respondents whether they experienced anti-Semitism and considered emigrating as a result, among other questions.

“An openly anti-Semitic political party has gained power in Hungary’s Parliament in recent years, fueling fears that the Eastern European nation is experiencing a rise in anti-Jewish sentiment,” the paper wrote in an introduction to the online survey form.

“The Times will be taking a deep look at anti-Semitism in Hungary this coming year. As we report on this issue, we are hoping to hear from Hungarian Jews on their experiences,” the paper wrote.

Questions include: “What if anything are authorities in your community doing to curb or encourage anti-Semitism?”

Ninety percent of 517 Hungarian respondents to an EU survey on anti-Semitism conducted last year said anti-Semitism was either a “fairly big problem” or a “very big problem.”

Hungary, which is believed to have 100,000 Jews, also led in the number of Jews who said they had considered emigrating because of anti-Semitism, with 48 percent of Hungarian respondents replying in the affirmative, compared to 18 percent in Britain and a 29-percent average overall.

comments