2014 was a year of unprecedented explosions of antisemitic and
antiIsrael hatred. Our Top Ten this year shows how pervasive antisemitism has
become around the world. The ten examples selected by the Simon Wiesenthal Center are tragically indicative of burgeoning threats and challenges
to the Jewish people not encountered since the end of WWII.
2014 was the year of ISIS, of “Lone Wolf” terrorism, of targeted murder
and rape of Jewish citizens in European democracies, of pro-Hamas sentiment reverberating
on the streets of Europe and on American university campuses.
2014 was a year of increasing acceptance of Jew-hatred in the political and
social fabrics of societies. It was a year of unending genocidal threats against
the Jewish state from a nuclearizing Mullahocracy in Iran and continuing
efforts in Europe to criminalize age-old Judaic practices of Shechita (Kosher
slaughter) and Brit Milah (ritual circumcision).
2014 left Jews across Europe questioning if they have a future in their
native lands. Danny Cohen, director of BBC television summed up the feelings of
many:
“I’ve never felt so uncomfortable being a Jew in the UK as I’ve felt in
the last 12 months. And it’s made me think about, you know, is it our longterm home,
actually. Because you feel it. I’ve felt it in a way I’ve never felt before
actually.”
