Argentina added to list of countries seeing spike in antisemitism following Oct 7

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Argentina is the latest in a long line of countries to report an increase in antisemitism following October 7, 2023. The Jewish umbrella organization Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA) in Argentina has reported a 44% increase in reported incidents, most of which came after the large-scale attack on southern Israel by Hamas last year.

Marisa Braylan, director of DAIA’s Center for Social Studies, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “On Oct. 7, a latent antisemitism was dusted off.”

“The attack did not generate empathy towards the victims. There was silence, there were justifications, and in the worst cases, there was admiration,” she added.

The DAIA report revealed that the majority (57%) of antisemitic incidents in Argentina during 2023 happened after Oct. 7. The State of Israel was also highlighted as a factor in antisemitic attacks in the report; while previously only 11% had involved Israel in 2022, now 40% were linked to the Jewish state.

Most recorded incidents took place online, however, the number of in-person attacks has more than doubled. Before Oct. 7, there were 72 in-person incidents, and three months later 150 were recorded.

The JTA reported that one in-person incident involved the word “Hamas” and a crossed-out Star of David being drawn on a student’s desk, and in another, a sign was hung on a building with the message, “Zionists out of Palestine. This did not start on 7/10. Hitler fell short.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) provided the following data on the rise of antisemitism around the world:

Argentina: In January 2024, there were more than 100 reported antisemitic incidents, representing a 600% increase compared to January 2023.
Australia: According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, as of Dec. 15, there has been a 738% increase in antisemitic incidents.
Austria: From Oct. 7 to Dec 31, antisemitic incidents were up 500% compared to the same period in 2022. For all of 2023, there was a 60% increase in antisemitic incidents compared to 2022.
Brazil: According to the CONIB, which tracks antisemitism in Brazil, there was a 961% increase during October 2023 over the previous year.
Denmark: In 2023, there were 121 antisemitic incidents, an increase of 1244%.
France: According to the Minister of Interior, there were 1,242 antisemitic incidents from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, a 1000% increase compared to prior months.
Germany: In 2023, police registered 5,154 antisemitic incidents, marking a 95% increase.
Italy: According to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, authorities registered 135 incidents of antisemitism between Oct. 7 and Dec. 31.
Netherlands: In 2023, there were 379 antisemitic incidents reported, an increase of 245%
New Zealand: In a survey of Jewish parents of children aged 9-18, as of Dec. 14, 50% of those who completed the survey said their children experienced antisemitism in schools.
Poland: In 2023, there were 894 antisemitic incidents, marking a 91% increase.
South Africa: According to the Jewish Board of Deputies, there were 41 antisemitic incidents in October 2023, a significant increase compared to previous years.
Switzerland: Antisemitic incidents increased by 68% in French-speaking Switzerland last year, with almost half of all incidents occurring post-Oct. 7.
United Kingdom: In 2023, CST recorded 4,103 anti-Jewish hate incidents across the UK, by far the largest-ever total recorded in this country.

Even before Oct. 7, Argentina had witnessed disturbing instances of antisemitism, including a restaurant that offered an "Anne Frank" hamburger and "Adolf" fries on its menu. There was much criticism of the menu for trivializing the Holocaust. Following pressure from the Jewish community and the DAIA, the restaurant revised the menu.

Like the ADL, DAIA exists to fight against antisemitism and discrimination and to promote human rights, interreligious dialogue and respectful coexistence. The organization also denounces terrorist groups and works to guarantee the security of the Jewish community in Argentina.