The Coordination Forum for Countering Anti-Semitism (CFCA) released its 2009 Summary in which it stated that there were more anti-Semitic attacks in 2009 than in any year since World War II.
The CFCA's research also indicated there were more incidents of anti-Semitism in the first quarter of 2009 than in all of 2008. In France, there were 600 anti-Jewish incidents in the first half of 2009, compared to less than 500 in all of 2008. Similar ratios were also found in Britain.
According to the report, there was a record level of anti-Semitic activity in 2009, both in "the number of events (in excess of 1000 - equal to the average of an entire year) and in the level of their intensity". The report goes on to say that boundaries have become blurred between Israel, Judaism and Zionism.
The 2009 Summary also revealed a rise in violent attacks and public displays of anti-Semitism, reporting eight deaths. The increase of incidents in early 2009 was thought to be connected to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip. Many Jews have shown reluctance to wear Jewish symbols such as the yarmulke or the visible Star of David for fear of being targets of violence.
In a press release, the Institute on Religion and Publicv Policy called on governments around the world to protect not only Jewish people, but also Jewish religious sites and all other minorities within its borders. Those responsible for the attacks must be punished in order to send a clear message that anti-Semitism and violence against any group of people is not tolerated. The institute also called upon U.S. Anti-Semitism Envoy Hannah Rosenthal to speak out against incidents of anti-Semitism to demonstrate that the United States does not condone anti-Semitism in any form.
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