Antisemitism in Switzerland is taking root at an unprecedented level

2024 has again produced an extremely high number of antisemitic incidents. The main driver was the war in the Middle East. The wave of antisemitism unleashed by 7 October 2023 did ease slightly. However, the findings of the Antisemitism Report of the SIG and the GRA Foundation Against Racism and Antisemitism clearly show that antisemitism has taken root at a much higher level than before. Jewish people in Switzerland experienced antisemitism more directly and openly than before. Comments and attacks increased sharply. An arson attempt on a synagogue and 11 physical assaults illustrate this dynamic. The stabbing of a Jew in Zurich in March 2024, which almost ended in his death, represents a frightening escalation.

See the figures and categories for 2024

In the real world, antisemitic incidents were consistently and massively more frequent over the course of the year than before the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023. During the year under review, 221 cases were recorded (2023: 155, 2022: 57), which corresponds to an increase of 42.5% – compared with 2022, this figure is as high as 287%. During the whole of the year under review, there were 11 physical assaults (2023: 10, 2022: 1), whereas before 2023, there were only one or zero physical assaults per year. There has also been a huge increase in the category of antisemitic comments, with 103 versus 38 (2023: 38, 2022: 6). At 42, the number of verbal abuse cases fell slightly from the previous year (2023: 47, 2022: 16). The number of offensive graffiti remained stable at 44 incidents (2023: 42, 2022: 9), as did the number of public acts (2024: 10, 2023: 8, 2022: 1) and posters/banners (2024: 9, 2023: 10, 2022: 1). After a longer period of time, two property damage cases were reported to the SIG in 2024 (2023/2022: 0). In all categories, exponential increases can be observed compared to the years prior to 7 October 2023.

Since the start of the 2024 year under review, a new search software has been implemented for digital monitoring.. It searches publicly available social media platforms, comment sections of online media and websites for specific terms and also detects whether the posts originate from Switzerland. Thanks to this search software, more incidents can be recorded. However, as a result, it is not possible to adequately compare online incidents with previous years.

In 2024, a total of 1,596 online incidents were recorded using this methodology and through external reports. Telegram continued to account for the majority of observed and reported incidents, with 890 cases representing 55.7% of all online incidents. The proportion of incidents in the comment sections of online newspapers was remarkably high: 300 incidents, spread across sixteen different media, were counted. This shows an urgent need for action in comment moderation, especially because of the sometimes serious antisemitic content spread in this way. Among traditional social media platforms, the report was now also able to include a focus on TikTok, which generated the most incidents in this group at 103. Overall, a total of 1,817 antisemitic incidents were reported or observed.

The trigger of October 2023 had an impact throughout 2024

Hamas’s terrorist attacks and the resulting Gaza war triggered a veritable wave of antisemitism starting in October and continuing into 2024. However, this massive trigger for antisemitic incidents had a lasting effect throughout the year under review. This is demonstrated by the fact that 44.8% of real-world incidents were directly linked to the war in the Middle East. This number is likely to be much higher, but the perpetrators’ motives are not known in all cases. Above all, the verbal abuse and comments reveal the strikingly persistent narrative that Swiss Jews are responsible for the war and for the actions and policies of Israel. This also includes the demand for Jews to justify themselves for those policies or distance themselves from them.

Online incidents can often be categorised more precisely in terms of content. For example, 28.3% of the incidents online had a direct connection to the war in the Middle East, with a corresponding number of them categorised as «Israel-related antisemitism». In general, however, similar cases also appear in other categories. For example, the categories «conspiracy theories» and «Shoah denial» also include cases related to Israel. If Swiss Jews are held responsible for the war or Israel’s policies, or are generally described as Israelis, this again falls into the category of «general antisemitism».

As far as categorisation was possible, incidents happening in the real world could be assigned to more or less equally well-known milieus: right-wing extremists, left-wing extremists, Islamists, «mainstream society», the conspiracy-theory and anti-state subculture, and the radical pro-Palestinian camp where left-wing and Muslim milieus meet. Across all milieus, a slight overlap was noted in the radical pro-Palestinian camp. Online, categorising incidents is much more difficult. However, the few clear categorisations point to the same milieus as above.

The SIG and GRA demand that the safety of Jews in Switzerland be guaranteed

Antisemitism in Switzerland is no longer at a crossroads; it has visibly prevailed against all resistance and taken a frightening turn. What was thought and discussed in secret before 7 October 2023 has been washed to the surface, fuelled by the war in the Middle East and the shift in social norms. This is resulting in significant changes for the lives of Jews in Switzerland. Whereas attacks such as verbal abuse, spitting, physical assault and even brutal attacks on life and limb were previously only distant occurrences happening abroad, they are now a reality here, too. The sense of security felt by many Jewish people has deteriorated considerably. A survey of the Jewish population in Switzerland conducted by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW in late 2024 confirms this. Many hide religious symbols such as Star of David necklaces and kippahs. They avoid revealing their identity openly at school, work and university. For many people today, being identified as Jewish is too high a risk. The tension and heightened attention surrounding Jewish institutions are noticeable everywhere.

Society and policymakers have the duty to guarantee the security of Jewish life in Switzerland. There is not only a need for action, but also a clear need to catch up. The security of Jewish institutions must be ensured for the long term through police action and active support for local security measures. The antisemitism strategy currently under discussion is urgently needed at this time. It must also contain a strong and sustained commitment by the state to monitor antisemitism and racism. Effective measures by the federal government are also needed in the area of prevention and awareness. Here, we also call on schools themselves, the cantons, the Conference of the Cantonal Governments and the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education to take action. In addition, an effective legal mechanism for dealing with online hate speech must finally be put in place, including decisive action on social media platforms and messenger services to stop the spread of hate. The GRA and the SIG have already stated these demands several times. The findings of the Antisemitism Report show that the situation is no less urgent than it was before – on the contrary.