OVERVIEW
A sharp escalation in physical, verbal and visual manifestations of antisemitism was recorded in 2006, marking a peak since 2000. All in all, about 590 cases of violence and vandalism were registered worldwide (compared to 406 in 2005), including major attacks perpetrated with a weapon and intent to kill (19 compared to 15 in 2005) and serious incidents of violence and vandalism aimed at Jewish persons, property and institutions (574 compared to 391 in 2005). It should be noted that the decrease in antisemitic violence between 2004 and 2005 (501 in 2004, the highest number since 2000, versus 406 in 2005) gave rise to cautious hope that a variety of measures taken by national and international bodies against antisemitism had begun to bear fruit. Although the 2006 statistics belied this optimism, the efforts of these organizations continued throughout the year, motivated by their desire to diminish this phenomenon.
Perhaps the most alarming finding that emerges from the 2006 data is the number of physical attacks on Jews – 270 (double the amount compared to 2005 − 132). Such assaults, which took place mostly in schools, at the work place and in streets near Jewish institutions, were usually randomly perpetrated when an opportunity presented itself. While desecration of cemeteries and memorials remained roughly on the same level as in 2005, 50 percent more schools and community centers were attacked, and 94 synagogues were damaged, compared to 56 in 2005.
