Report: Major anti-Semitic attacks triple in 2007

A Tel Aviv University report reveals alarming increase in number of violent attacks against Jews worldwide; study cites threefold rise in number of particularly violent assaults.

The number of severe violent attacks rose threefold in 2007.

According to the study, 632 incidents of racially-motivated violence against Jews have been reported in 2007, compared to 593 in 2006. Fifty-seven percent of the attacks in 2007 have been classified as "major attacks" – three times higher than in 2006, when the number of major attacks stood at 19.

The Institute's report for 2006 reflected an even more alarming growth in anti-Semitism worldwide, claiming attacks against Jews doubled during that year. (Source Ynet News).

The Anti-Defamation League's 2007 Survey of American Attitudes Towards Jews in America (a national telephone survey of 2,000 American adults conducted October 6 through October 19) found that 15% of Americans - or nearly 35 million adults - hold views about Jews that are "unquestionably anti-Semitic," compared to 14% in 2005. Previous ADL surveys over the last decade had indicated that anti-Semitism was in decline (graph). Nine years ago, in 1998, the number of Americans with hardcore anti-Semitic beliefs had dropped to 12% from 20% in 1992.

Anti-Jewish Stereotypes Remain Consistent

The survey found that 31% of Americans believe Jews are more loyal to Israel than America, down from 33% in 2005; in 2002 it was 33%; in 1998, it was 31%; in 1992; 35%. (graph)

More than one quarter – 27% of the American people – believe Jews were responsible for the death of Christ, down from 30% in 2005, up from 25% in 2002. (graph)

Fifteen percent (15%) of the general population believes that Jews have "Too much power in the U.S." -- unchanged from 2005; 67% for those who are the most anti-Semitic.

ADL surveys in 11 European countries released in May and July 2007 revealed that fully half of the Europeans surveyed believe Jews are not loyal to their country and more than one-third believe that Jews have too much power in business and finance.