Denmark records highest number of antisemitic incidents since WWII, part of a grim European trend
The head of the Jewish Community in Denmark says the number of antisemitic incidents registered since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that ignited the war in Gaza has reached levels not seen since World War II
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The number of antisemitic incidents registered in Denmark since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that ignited the war in Gaza has reached levels not seen since World War II, the head of the Scandinavian country's small Jewish community said Thursday.
“We have seen the the biggest antisemitic wave in Denmark since 1943,” when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, Henri Goldstein, head of the 1,800-strong Jewish Community, told The Associated Press on Thursday. That was the year some 7,200 Danish Jews were evacuated to neutral Sweden to prevent their deportation to a Nazi concentration camp, leaving almost no Jews in Denmark.
The figures, compiled by the community's security organization, were on a par with reports in other European countries. Goldstein said that "after Oct. 7, we have seen antisemitism on steroids.”
“We have seen a violent escalation, not least fueled by the uncontrolled spread of hatred on social media,” he said, adding that in 2023, “all 121 incidents were Jew-hatred - and not 'just criticism of Israel.'”
