State Department tells Congress anti-Semitism is on the rise

Associated Press/January 6, 2005

The State Department says global anti-Semitism is on the rise, partly due to the growing number of poor, uneducated Muslims in Western Europe.

In eastern Europe, skinheads and other far-right radicals are responsible for most attacks on Jews and Jewish property. The report says anti-Semitic acts in Europe have increased both in frequency and severity since 2000.

In Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union, anti-Semitism remains a serious problem. Ultra-nationalists and other far-right elements are behind most incidents.

The report to congressional foreign relations committees says the problem in Syria is the government itself, which supports a "virulent" anti-Semitism. The condition is similar in Pakistan, which has no Jewish community.

But the report says other governments, such as those in France, Belgium and Germany, are acting against anti-Semitism.