Over 40% of European Jews experienced antisemitism last year, survey finds

Nearly half of European Jews feel unsafe in their countries, but feel more connected to their Jewish communities than do North American Jews, Jewish Agency says

By Zev Stub

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20 April 2026, 6:47 pm

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Zev Stub is the Times of Israel's Diaspora Affairs correspondent.

More than two out of five European Jews experienced antisemitism personally or within the family last year, and only 45 percent of European Jews say they feel safe within their countries, according to a report published Sunday by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI).

French Jews feel the least secure, with only 22% of respondents saying they feel safe in their country.

However, Europeans feel more connected to their Jewish communities than do North Americans, the “One People” report found. Some 69% of European Jews, and 65% of Australian and South American Jews, said they feel connected to their local community, compared to just 49% of North American Jews, it found.

The survey was conducted by the Ipsos research institute between September 25 and October 10, 2025, before Israel reached a ceasefire in its war in Gaza. It was conducted using a representative sample of 1,428 Jewish respondents in Israel and 18 countries across North America, Europe, Australia and South America.

Antisemitism is the most significant challenge facing Jewish communities today, the survey found, with 69% of global Jews and 79% of Israeli Jews identifying it as a concern. About 43% of European Jews and 35% of North American Jews said they or their family members had personally experienced antisemitism within the past year.

Just 45% of Jews in Europe said they feel personally secure in their countries, compared to 71% of Israelis, 70% of Australians and South Americans, and 57% of North Americans. About 56% of Jewish women worldwide said they feel safe, compared to 70% of men.

About 43% of European Jews said they feel uncomfortable wearing Jewish symbols in public, compared to 31% of North Americans and 19% of Australians and South Americans, the report found. The most fearful group, however, was Israelis traveling abroad — 69% said they weren’t comfortable wearing Jewish or Israeli symbols publicly when they travel.

Illustrative: A Star of David gold necklace (iStock by Getty Images)

The second-biggest concern for Jews is Israel’s image, with 46% saying they were worried about the country’s global standing. This was followed by youth disengagement with Jewish life (40%), mixed-faith marriages (33%), religious extremism (25%), interfaith relations (17%), education and knowledge (15%) and lack of unity (14%).

Most Jews see Israel as a cornerstone of their religious identity, with 85% of respondents agreeing that the Jewish state is essential for a thriving Jewish future. About 56% of European Jews have discussed the possibility of immigrating to Israel within their households, and 64% of UK respondents said they have considered the move.

The survey found a sense of optimism among young Jews, with nearly three-quarters (74%) of Jewish young adults and two-thirds (67%) of young adults in Israel believing they can positively influence the future of their communities. Jews aged 18-28 express twice as much optimism about their community as those aged 60 and above, the survey found.

“The One People Report reminds us of a profound reality: As tensions rise around us, the Jewish people draw strength from their ability to hold one another up,” said JAFI chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog. “From this threat, we also see resilience, belonging, and hope emerge. These values call on us to stand as one people and to responsibly write the next chapter of our shared story; to choose community, mutual responsibility, and hope. This is the strength of the Jewish people.”