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On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tel Aviv University has published its annual report on the state of anti-Semitism in the world for 2024, which shows a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents in many countries, although some have seen a moderate decline. The report, released today (Wednesday, 23 April 2025), highlights that the level of anti-Semitism remains significantly higher than before the war, as reported by Israel’s Channel 12.
Key findings of the report:
- Global trend: The number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2024 decreased slightly compared to 2023, but remains significantly higher than before the war. The wave of anti-Semitism peaked in the period immediately after the 7 October 2023 attack.
- Countries with sharp growth: Australia has seen a particularly significant increase in the number of incidents, as well as the US, Italy, Spain, Canada, Argentina and Brazil.
- Low arrest rates: Only a small proportion of complaints of anti-Semitic attacks (less than 10 per cent) have resulted in arrests or charges. For example, in New York City, about a third of the initiators of anti-Semitic incidents were arrested, which is significantly lower than for other hate crimes. In Chicago, the arrest rate was 10 per cent, in Toronto 6 per cent, and in London only 4 per cent.
Regional overview:
- UNITED STATES: In New York City, home to the largest Jewish community in the country (1.5 million people), the number of anti-Semitic crimes increased to 344 in 2024 (compared to 325 in 2023 and 264 in 2022). Chicago, the third largest Jewish community in the United States, also saw an increase in incidents.
- France: The number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2024 decreased slightly to 1,570, but this is still significantly higher than the 436 incidents before the war. The number of physical attacks increased to 106 in 2024 (compared to 85 in 2023 and 43 in 2022).
- Canada: B’nai B’rith reported an increase in anti-Semitic incidents to 6,219 in 2024 (compared to 5,791 in 2023 and 2,769 in 2022).
- United Kingdom: In 2024, 3,529 anti-Semitic incidents were reported, a slight decrease from 4,103 in 2023, but a significant increase from 1,662 in 2022. Most incidents were classified as “offensive behaviour”, but there were 201 cases of assault and 37 cases of throwing objects at victims.
- Australia: The number of incidents rose to 1,713 in 2024 (up from 1,200 in 2023). Examples include threats and spit against a 77-year-old Jewish woman during a protest against anti-Semitism in Melbourne, the smashing of synagogue windows and vandalism at the home of the former president of a Jewish organisation.
Expert comments:
Dr Karl Jonker, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and Academic Director of the Erwin Kotler Institute, said: “Identifying the perpetrators of hate crimes presents unique objective challenges. However, much more can be done if there is a will. Education and legislation are meaningless without enforcement. The fight against anti-Semitism requires the determination of the police and prosecutors, not loud statements and ceremonies.”
The report’s editor-in-chief, Professor Uriah Shavit, added: “The level of anti-Semitism worldwide remains significantly higher than before the 7 October attack. However, contrary to popular belief, the report shows that the wave of anti-Semitism did not gradually increase due to the war in Gaza and the humanitarian catastrophe there. Incidents peaked in October-December 2023. The sad truth is that anti-Semitism reared its head when the Jewish state looked weaker than ever and was under existential threat.”
The Tel Aviv University report highlights the need to strengthen measures to combat anti-Semitism, including through more effective law enforcement and awareness-raising. Despite a slight decrease in the number of incidents in 2024, anti-Semitism remains a serious global problem that requires immediate action.
