The conflict surrounding Gaza and Israel is fuelling a significant wave of antisemitism in the Czech Republic and across wider Europe, stresses Petr Papoušek, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic.
Antisemitism continues to grow and is increasingly penetrating universities. “These manifestations have nothing to do with academic freedom,” Papoušek said in an interview with Seznam Zprávy, warning of failures in prevention and education.
Although its rise is slower, antisemitism in the Czech Republic remains alarming, according to Jewish community representatives. The vast majority of incidents occur online, where hatred increasingly spills over into reality. “In 2025, it has sadly become clear that online hatred is transforming into physical attacks,” Papoušek noted. There has also been a sharp rise in public expressions of hatred, with incidents now coming not only from far-right extremists but increasingly from far-left circles.
A worrying development is occurring at universities, where acts of antisemitism are being carried out under the guise of academic freedom. The display of Palestinian flags and anti-Israel banners, Papoušek argued, “has nothing to do with academic freedom — it is simply antisemitism.”
According to the Federation, antisemitic attitudes on campuses are now more often propagated by academics than by students, creating a tense environment where cases of bullying against Jewish lecturers have been reported.
Several artists and twenty-one senators have also spoken out against the display of Palestinian flags on campuses. “It is a clear expression of antisemitism, which our society cannot tolerate,” said Jiří Oberfalzer, Deputy Speaker of the Senate. “This reflects a failure to teach critical thinking at these prestigious institutions.”
Papoušek warned that education about the Holocaust is no longer functioning as an effective form of prevention. “Education about the Holocaust and Jewish history, once considered the cornerstone of preventing antisemitism, is clearly failing. We must acknowledge this and seek more effective and comprehensive solutions,” he stated.
In 2025, antisemitic incidents continued to rise, though at a slower pace. After year-on-year increases exceeding 90% between 2021 and 2023, growth slowed to 8% in 2024 — still a record high. More than 95% of incidents occur online, particularly on social media, which account for about 75% of all cases.
Public acts of hatred rose by nearly 200%. While far-right extremism remains the dominant source, antisemitism from the far left grew by more than 200% in 2024. There was also a marked rise in “new antisemitism” — mainly anti-Israel hatred — which became the most common category, increasing by nearly 50%. Cases of Holocaust denial and distortion also grew significantly.
Palestinian flags and anti-Israel placards have been appearing at Czech universities since late 2023. Some of these actions, Papoušek said, coincided with the anniversary of Hamas’s 7 October terror attacks. “We fully agree with the critical voices, including FAMU alumni who signed a petition. Such displays are not academic freedom — they are antisemitism.”
According to Papoušek, the Initiative for a Critical Academy (IZKA) — a group of academics — has coordinated many of these actions. “Data show that academics are now more likely than students to spread antisemitic views, which is especially concerning given their influence on young people,” he said.
While not always a direct security risk, the psychological and professional impact on Jewish students and staff is significant. “We are aware of cases of harassment against teachers. The atmosphere at many faculties is tense and conflictual.”
Papoušek confirmed that the line between online and real-world antisemitism is blurring. “We are seeing a rise in physical attacks and vandalism motivated by hatred,” he said, recalling a January 2024 incident in Brno — an attempted arson attack on a synagogue later investigated as Islamist terrorism.
He urged digital platforms, the state, and educational institutions to take stronger preventive measures, including full enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) to ensure active content moderation and rapid removal of hate speech.
The Federation has recorded a marked increase in antisemitic incidents linked to criticism of Israel. “For the first time, hatred directed at Israel has become the largest category of antisemitic incidents,” Papoušek said. “The conflict around Gaza and Israel has triggered powerful waves of antisemitism in the Czech Republic and across Europe.”
According to a survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) conducted just before 7 October 2023, 54% of Czech Jews at least occasionally hide their Jewish identity, while 95% reported experiencing antisemitic behaviour in the past year. “After 7 October, the situation has undoubtedly worsened,” Papoušek said.
He also spoke about personal experiences: “Recently, graffiti appeared at a Jewish cemetery accusing me of supporting ethnic cleansing. I also receive hateful messages on social media and even anonymous letters at home. Fortunately, these remain the actions of a small minority.”
Despite the troubling rise in antisemitism, Papoušek emphasised that the Czech Republic remains one of the safest countries in Europe for Jewish life. “Although antisemitism exists here, the situation is far less severe than in many neighbouring or Western European states. Jewish communities in the Czech Republic generally feel secure, which is reflected in the strong interest of Israeli tourists.”
The Czech government recently approved a National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism (2025–2030), focusing on democratic values, community safety, education, and online hate. Key goals include improving institutional coordination, enhancing incident monitoring, and preserving Holocaust remembrance.
Parliament’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2019 remains an essential foundation for recognising modern forms of antisemitism, including those disguised as criticism of Israel. “However,” Papoušek concluded, “there is still much work to be done in ensuring the definition is properly applied, prevention strengthened, and cooperation between institutions improved.”
Papoušek encouraged citizens to report any antisemitic remarks, signs, or incidents. “Only about a third of cases are ever reported. People should contact the police in serious cases, or our Federation via the email [email protected] if they are unsure. Every report helps us protect the community and shape more effective policies against antisemitism.”
