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The knife attack on a Jewish Orthodox man in Zurich shows that anti-Semitic violence is also a reality in Switzerland.
Every year the Swiss Association of Israelite Communities (SIG) publishes its anti-Semitism report. This year the results are particularly bleak. There has been a real wave of anti-Semitism in recent months, as the SIG, the umbrella organization of Swiss Jews, explains.
Anti-Semitic incidents were triggered by the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip. A large proportion of recent anti-Jewish incidents have a connection to Israel and the Middle East.
Anti-Semitic attacks are increasing sharply
What is particularly worrying is that anti-Semitic violence has increased sharply. While these were rare in previous years, they have increased significantly in 2023. Ten such cases were recorded in German-speaking Switzerland alone last year.
The knife attack on an Orthodox Jew the Saturday before last is an extreme example of assault. But there were also other cases in the previous months in which Jews were attacked because they were Jews: they were pushed, hit or spit on.
The “anti-Semitism of words” has become “anti-Semitism of action,” says Jonathan Kreutner, general secretary of the Swiss Association of Jewish Communities (SIG). This development causes him great concern. In addition, the number of anti-Semitic graffiti has also increased significantly. So slogans like “Death to the Jews” or Nazi symbols that were sprayed on house walls.
More anti-Semitism online too
In the reports of recent years, anti-Semitism on online platforms and in digital media has been a major topic. Anti-Semitism in the digital world will continue to increase in 2023 – although less sharply than in previous years. The majority of observed or reported online cases of anti-Semitism take place on Telegram.
In the real and digital world, anti-Semitism is and remains a major challenge. The Secretary General of the SIG emphasizes that anti-Semitism exists in various milieus: not only in Muslim, but also in right-wing, left-wing milieus and in the middle of society.
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Police forces are on duty at the Agudas Achim synagogue in Zurich Wiedikon to protect the Jewish population.
KEYSTONE / Michael Buholzer
Jonathan Kreutner emphasizes that the entire society is now challenged: politics, civil society and educational institutions. He sees a great responsibility especially in schools, i.e. where young people are. Because the fight against prejudice must begin at a young age.