Increase in antisemitic incidents in Switzerland

According to the annual report of the Federal Commission against Racism, antisemitic incidents slightly increased in Switzerland in 2021.

Swissinfo.ch reported on Sunday the result of the annual report of the Federal Commission against Racism, according to which there was a slight increase in antisemitic incidents in Switzerland in 2021.

The report states that the most common types of discrimination were xenophobia with 218 cases, closely followed by racism against black people with 207 cases. There were 53 cases of anti-Islamic discrimination, 51 cases of anti-Arab discrimination and 41 incidents of anti-Asian racism.

Regarding antisemitism, 31 incidents were flagged. The Federal Commission against Racism added that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in anti-Jewish ideas, including Holocaust denial and trivialization.

Moreover, in February 2022, Jewish organisations warned about an increase in COVID-19-related antisemitic conspiracy theories and attacks targeting synagogues in the country.

According to the Swissinfo.ch, the Swiss government announced an increase in funding for security at Jewish and Muslim places of worship, reports The Jerusalem Post.