The number of recorded anti-Semitic acts in French-speaking Switzerland increased by 28% in 2011 from the previous year, CICAD, a Geneva-based body that coordinates the fight against anti-Semitism and defamation, announced in its annual report.
This increases is a cause of concern for the Jewish community, said CICAD President Alain Bruno Levy during the presentation of the report.
A total of 130 anti-Semitic acts (against 104 the previous year), of which 6 are considered “serious” and 5 “grave” were recorded. 2011 is the year that recorded the highest number of serious incidents since the beginning of the census in 2003.
Beyond the figure increase, it is more the nature of these acts that is of of concern to the CICAD, because it they are primarily physical attacks or death threats and insults.
In Lausanne, the assistant of a rabbi was beaten by three men while in Geneva an Orthodox Jew was stabbed in the street as he was visiting the Natural History Museum with his family.
The increase of anti-Semitic acts also corresponds to a growing use of new communication tools.
Bruno Alain Levy also noted the resurgence of prejudice toward Jews. "The conspiracy theory resurfaced, especially via the internet. the conflict in the Middle East also fuels anti-Semitism," he said, also stressing the increaing presence of extreme-right groups in French-speaking Switzerland.
According to the association, "Internet users are ore creating their blogs and comments on articles to vent their anti-Semitic hatred. Using the pretext of freedom of expression, activists intend to impose a "right to discriminate and to defame."
"The release of anti-Semitic speech is somewhat alarming," said Johanne Gurfinkiel, CICAD Secretary General, who stressed the importance of educating publishers of social networks or online media not to trivialize anti-Semitism and defamation.
In its report, CICAD made a series of recommendations regarding the fight against anti-Semitism for the education world, elected officials and the media.
Around 18,000 Jews live in Switzerland, mostly in Geneva and Zurich.