Spike in Antisemitic Incidents in Czech Republic Amid Gaza Conflict

Antisemitic incidents in the Czech Republic surged by 90% in 2023, peaking in the last quarter following the Gaza conflict ignited by Hamas attacks on Israel. The Federation of the Jewish Communities reported 4,328 incidents, mostly online, despite the country remaining largely safe for Jews.

A sharp increase in antisemitic incidents was recorded in the Czech Republic last year, reaching a peak in the final quarter of 2023. This surge followed the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, which triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, according to the country's Jewish community.

The Federation of the Jewish Communities reported 4,328 antisemitic incidents in its annual publication, marking a 90 per cent rise from the previous year. Notably, 1,800 of these occurred in the last three months of the year.

"October 7 caused a global wave of antisemitism that significantly impacted the Czech Republic," the report noted. The majority of the incidents, 98 per cent, were online, featuring false, dehumanizing, and conspiratorial content targeting Jews and the state of Israel.

(With inputs from agencies.)