The year 2024 will be remembered as a dark year in the fight against antisemitism. Hate spread through physical attacks, polarizing speeches and the manipulation of international systemsrevealing a phenomenon that not only affects the Jewish community, but also the societies where these hate narratives are normalized.
In a report, the Simon Wiesenthal Center highlighted ten significant cases that it considers emblematic of this global problem.
Synagogues in countries like Germany, Australia, Canada y France They were targets of vandalism and attacks. Anti-Semitism also infiltrated the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Israel was accused of genocide. The issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders such as Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted a worrying politicization of global justice.
In addition, presidents such as Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkey), Michael Higgins (Ireland) and Gustavo Petro (Colombia) were highlighted by the Simón Wiesenthal Center, as well as opinion leaders such as Greta Thunberg and Candace Owens, who contributed to the normalization of hate. , whether linking Israel to environmental crimes or trivializing the Holocaust. These positions, amplified on social networks, consolidated their toxic impact.
In that sense, Ariel Gelblung, director for Latin America of the Center, pointed out: “It is regrettable to have a democratically elected Latin American president on such a dishonorable list.. Petro does not miss the opportunity to make highly anti-Semitic statements with unusual frequency. Other regional leaders carried out actions that were highly condemnable from our point of view, but none went to the extent of break relations with Israel, contrary to a historical friendship between the Colombian People and the Jewish State”.
The worst anti-Semitism events of 2024:
In 2024, Iran intensified its war against Israel by launching hundreds of drones and hypersonic missiles, neutralized with the support of allies such as the United States. Despite Israel’s military achievements, including the elimination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, Iran continued to finance attacks from Yemen and sponsor terrorist cells in Europe. Furthermore, the Persian regime’s anti-Semitic rhetoric spread to social media and international university protests, exacerbating hatred against Israel and Jews.
The report denounces the involvement of the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) with Hamas, documenting the participation of at least 2,440 employees affiliated with the terrorist group. It also accuses UNRWA of allowing the construction of tunnels under its facilities and of promoting anti-Semitic narratives in its educational materials. Countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands have suspended their funding to this agency.
Synagogues in cities such as Sfax (Tunisia), Oldenburg (Germany), Los Angeles (United States), La Grand Motte (France) and Melbourne (Australia) were targets of attacks during 2024. Faced with this wave of violence, the Simon Wiesenthal Center issued warnings travel for countries like the Netherlands and Australia. Local authorities have been urged to investigate these events as possible terrorist acts.
Both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have been singled out for being used as tools against Israel. The ICC issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, while the ICJ accepted complaints seeking to redefine the concept of genocide to apply it to the Jewish State. These actions have limited the international mobility of figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The report highlights the role of figures such as Greta Thunberg y Candace Owens in the spread of anti-Semitic narratives. Thunberg linked environmental policy to accusations of genocide against Israel, while Owens questioned historical facts about the Holocaust. Social media platforms have been criticized for allowing the spread of anti-Semitic content and facilitating the organization of attacks.
Universities in the United States and Europe faced criticism for failing to curb the rise of anti-Semitism on their campuses. Investigations revealed that administrators and teachers did not act in response to attacks on Jewish students. Institutions in countries such as Germany, Spain and Norway voted in favor of academic boycotts against Israel.
The UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanesewas singled out for comparing Israeli actions in Gaza to the Holocaust and for downplaying Hamas atrocities. Leaders such as US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield have demanded her removal, calling her “unfit for her position.”
NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch were accused of disseminating reports that amplify anti-Semitic narratives. Amnesty called Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide, while HRW attributed thousands of deaths in Gaza to an alleged deliberate policy of water deprivation.
The Colombian president, Gustavo Petrobroke relations with Israel and accused it of genocide, according to the report. Petro was included on the list along with other leaders such as the Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdoganwho compared Prime Minister Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, and the Irish Michael Higginswho advocated redefining the term genocide to apply it to Israel.
International sporting events were the scene of anti-Semitic incidents. In the Olympics In Paris, Israeli athletes faced Nazi threats and gestures, while in Europe, teams such as the youth team TuS Makkabi from Berlin were attacked by crowds. Amsterdam authorities were criticized for their insufficient response to attacks on Israeli fans.
The report reflects a worrying intensification of anti-Semitism on multiple fronts, from battlefields to university classrooms and digital platforms. Ariel Gelblung concluded that these events show “a serious setback in the fight against intolerance and hatred.”
