Anti-Defamation League, June 7, 2005.
Despite good faith efforts by government and the international community to
counteract the anti-Semitism plaguing Europe, millions of Europeans continue to
believe the classical anti-Semitic canards that have dogged Jews through the
centuries, according to a new poll released by the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) today.
A survey of 12 European countries revealed that a plurality of Europeans
believe Jews are not loyal to their country and that they have too much power
in business and finance.
The opinion survey of 6,000 adults – 500 in each of the 12 European
countries – found either minimal decline, no change or, in some cases, an
increase in negative attitudes toward Jews from its 2004 findings.
The survey, Attitudes Toward Jews in Twelve European Countries, was
released to coincide with the Conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms
of Intolerance sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE), in Cordoba, Spain June 8-9.
The countries surveyed were: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy,
Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and for the
first time, Hungary and Poland.
Respondents across the continent were asked a series of indicator questions
representing the most pernicious notions of anti-Semitism and whether or not
they thought the following four statements were “probably true” or “probably
false.”
- Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country.
- Jews have too much power in the business world.
- Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
- Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
Respondents were also asked whether they agree or disagree with the following
statement:
- The Jews are responsible for the death of Christ.Finally, respondents were asked:
- If their opinion of Jews was influenced by actions taken by the State of
Israel and whether they believed the violence directed against European Jews
was a result of anti-Jewish feelings or anti-Israel sentiment.
Findings Summary
- A plurality of those surveyed across Europe, 43 percent, believe that
Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their own country, with a majority of
respondents in Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain saying they believe that this
statement is “probably true.” - Alarmingly high levels of those surveyed across Europe still believe in the
traditional anti-Jewish canard that “Jews have too much power in the business
world.” Overall, nearly 30 percent of all respondents believe this stereotype to
be true. - Similarly, European respondents still adhere to the notion that “Jews have
too much power in international financial markets.” Overall, 32 percent of those
surveyed cling to the traditional stereotype. - Large portions of the European public continue to believe that Jews still
talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust. Overall, 42
percent of those surveyed believe it is “probably true.” In fact, a plurality of
respondents in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and Switzerland
believe this notion to be true. - Overall, 20 percent of those surveyed across Europe continue to blame
Jews for the death of Jesus. - Overall, 29 percent of those surveyed across Europe say that their
opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions taken by the State of Israel. - Of those respondents whose opinions are influenced, a majority, 53
percent, say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of the actions taken
by Israel.
“The findings of this survey demonstrate that individual governments, the EU
and the OSCE, who have condemned anti-Semitism and sought ways to
counteract it, are being challenged to find a formula that will break down the
old stereotypes that die hard,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.
“Millions of Europeans still accept a wide range of traditional anti-Semitic
stereotypes, including the charge that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to
their home country.
These attitudes help incite and legitimize anti-Semitism and, coupled with
an atmosphere where violence against Jews is still prevalent, give us great
cause for concern.”
Country by Country Findings
In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews are more loyal to Israel
than their own country,” the 2005 survey found:
Austria – 38%, down from 46%
Belgium – 41%, down from 46%
Denmark – 43% up from 37%
France – 29%, up from 28%
Germany – 50%, no change
Italy – 55%, down from 57%
The Netherlands – 36%, down from 44%
Spain – 51%, up from 48%
Switzerland – 38%, down from 46%
The United Kingdom – 38% down from 40%
Hungary – 38%
Poland – 52%
In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews
have too much power in the business world,” the 2005
survey found:
Austria – 24%, down from 25% in 2004
Belgium – 33%, down from 37%
Denmark – 11% up from 9%
France – 25%, down from 33%
Germany – 20%, down from 24%
Italy – 33%, up from 29%
The Netherlands – 18% no change
Spain – 45%, down from 47%
Switzerland – 26%, down from 35%
The United Kingdom – 14% down from 20%
Hungary – 55%
Poland – 43%
In responding “probably true” to the statement “Jews
have too much power in international final markets,” the
2005 survey found:
Austria – 33%, down from 36% in 2004
Belgium – 33%, down from 36%
Denmark – 21% up from 18%
France – 24%, down from 29%
Germany – 24%, down from 27%
Italy – 32%, up from 31%
The Netherlands – 19% no change
Spain – 54%, up from 53%
Switzerland – 30%, down from 38%
The United Kingdom – 16% down from 18%
Hungary – 55%
Poland – 43%
In responding “probably true” to the statement “Jews
still talk too much about what happened to them in the
Holocaust,” the 2005 survey found:
Austria – 46%, down from 54% in 2004
Belgium – 41%, up from 40%
Denmark – 35% up from 29%
France – 34%, down from 35%
Germany – 48%, down from 56%
Italy – 49%, up from 44%
The Netherlands – 34%, down from 39%
Spain – 46%, up from 41%
Switzerland – 48%, down from 49%
The United Kingdom – 28% down from 31%
Hungary – 46%
Poland – 52%
Regarding Poland and Hungary, the two countries added to the survey who are
now members of the EU, Mr. Foxman said, “We are not surprised to find that a
high percentage of the respondents hold negative views of Jews, given each
country’s history of animus towards Jews. However, we are hopeful that, along
with their other EU partners, they will take the necessary steps to make
anti-Semitism unacceptable in their societies.”
Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chair, added, “These findings will help
guide our deliberations on a European and country by country basis, as we
continue the effort to combat anti-Semitism.” We will be working with our
European colleagues on a variety of initiatives to educate against
anti-Semitism.”
The ADL commissioned First International Resources to conduct the survey.
Fielded in Europe by Taylor Nelson Sofres, which conducted a total of 6,000
telephone interviews – 500 in each of the 12 countries in the native language of
each of the countries — among the general population between April 11 – May
6, 2005. The margin of error for each country is +/-4.5% at 95% level of
confidence.
