The number of antisemitism cases has increased in the Czech Republic. Police dealt with 40% more cases compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the police handled a total of 30 cases of antisemitic hate speech. This represents a 40% increase compared to 2023, as reported by Czech Police spokesperson Ondřej Moravčík. He added that officers continue to pay increased attention to the security of Jewish sites.
The Federation of Jewish Communities in Czech Republic (FŽO) reported a sharp rise in incidents linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“In 2022, we dealt with 23 cases of antisemitic hate speech, 18 in 2023, and 30 in 2024,” said Moravčík.
“We are still in close contact with operators and owners of Jewish sites and carry out increased surveillance activities there,” Moravčík added.
Regarding hate crimes, the police stated that these typically involve incitement to hatred against a group of people, violence against a group, or the establishment, support, and promotion of movements aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms.
In 2023, the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic recorded a total of 4,328 antisemitic incidents, a 90% increase compared to the 2,277 incidents in 2022. The FŽO mentioned this in its annual report on antisemitism in August last year. “In the Czech Republic, as in other countries, there is an insufficient level of reporting hate crimes, often due to stigma, distrust in institutions, or concerns about personal safety,” the FŽO stated.
The themes, motives, and speed of spreading antisemitism in 2023 were influenced by several domestic and international events.
“A decisive turning point came on 7 October 2023, when Palestinian terrorist organisations led by Hamas attacked civilian and military targets in southern Israel. The unprecedented attack marked the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas. Immediately following 7 October, a global surge in antisemitism occurred, which strongly affected the Czech Republic,” the FŽO added.
Monthly statistics from the FŽO clearly show a massive increase in antisemitism during the last quarter of 2023. From January to September, 2,528 incidents were recorded, making up 58.41% of the total, while another 1,800 incidents from October to December accounted for 41.59%.
