Europe has seen a significant rise in anti-Semitic attacks since Israel’s operation in the Gaza Strip and the onset of the global economic crisis, a report said on Monday.

The Vienna-based European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) released its new report on “Anti-Semitism. Summary overview of the situation in the European Union 2001-2008”.

The study shows that the number of anti-Semitic incidents in EU countries declined in 2007 and most of 2008 only to see an upsurge since December.

“This recent surge in anti-Semitic incidents is reason for great concern,” said FRA Director Morten Kjaerum.

He added: “The Agency’s research shows that during 2007 and most of 2008, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the EU declined, but that it has been on the rise again since December of 2008. While it is too early to draw conclusions, there are indications that this rise could partly be affected by the situation in the Middle East, as well as by the global financial crisis.”

The EU agency noted an increase in attacks against Jewish people and synagogues in Belgium, Britain, France, and the Netherlands.

Two synagogues in Belgium — one in Brussels, the other in Charleroi — were attacked in January as well as the house of a Jewish family in Antwerp, the FRA said.

More than 130 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in France since December, including notable attacks on three synagogues, one in Toulon, another in Toulouse and the third in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.

Six synagogues and community buildings in Holland were attacked in January. There were 24 anti-Semitic incidents recorded in Britain in January, while other attacks were recorded in Spain, Sweden and Germany, the study said.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and protected, whatever religious belief or ethnic origin. Political and community leaders across the EU have an obligation to make it clear that intolerance and aggression in any form are completely unacceptable,” said Kjaerum.

In light of current events, the FRA has also collected as much information as possible on anti-Semitic incidents since the latest outbreak of hostilities in Gaza. The FRA said it will continue to collect the relevant data in 2009, to present an elaborated analysis in its next year’s update that will be published in early 2010.

(Chaim Charnes – YWN / FRA Report)