Xenophobia On The Rise In Europe; Anti-Semitism Approaches 100% In Arab Countries Surveyed

95% or more in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt say they have an unfavorable opinion of Jews.

Anti-Semitism and xenophobia are on the rise throughout Europe according to a recent Pew Research Center — Global Attitudes Project and polls by the Anti-Defamation League. Negative views of Israel, sympathy with the Palestinian cause, rising anti-Americanism, and a backlash against globalization and immigration all play a role in this trend.

This rise in negative attitudes toward Jews has for the most part been modest, and anti-Jewish sentiments in Europe remain much less common than anti-Muslim views. In fact most Europeans continue to hold favorable opinions of Jews and, compared with other regions of the world, Europeans remain relatively tolerant. For instance, anti-Jewish sentiments are almost universal in the three Arab nations surveyed–95% or more in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt say they have an unfavorable opinion of Jews.

Spain, Poland and Russia recorded the highest anti-Jewish sentiments with Spain posting the highest unfavorable opinion at 46%. The project report editorialized that even these modest trends, in light of the dark history of anti-Semitism in Europe, any uptick is surely troubling. Moreover, rising anti-Jewish views are part of a broader pattern of increasing xenophobia; European attitudes toward Muslims have also turned more negative over the last few years.