Following an attack on a young Jewish man in Davos, the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG/FSCI) is raising the alarm: “Incidents have multiplied tenfold in the past year; we need more security.”
The Secretary-General of the FSCI, Jonathan Kreutner, expressed deep concerns for the safety of Jews after the attack on a young man in Davos. “The situation is critical across Switzerland,” he stated.
“Antisemitic incidents of this nature have multiplied tenfold over the past year,” said Kreutner after meeting the victim in the Graubünden resort town. He believes these incidents should serve as a wake-up call and lead to enhanced security measures, similar to those already in place in major cities.
Davos has previously made headlines for another antisemitic episode: last winter, a restaurant owner refused to rent sleds to Jewish customers and was later given a suspended sentence for racial discrimination, along with a fine.
“But this time, the context is different,” Kreutner emphasised. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East appears to have been a triggering factor. The victim reported that his attackers shouted “Free Palestine.”
Kreutner’s visit to Davos also aimed to promote dialogue. Since 2019, the federation’s staff have regularly met with Jewish tourists to raise awareness of local customs through a prevention project called “Likrat Public,” which includes distributing leaflets and brochures.
Kreutner met a collaborator from Likrat Public at the Schatzalp mountain pasture, where many Jewish visitors in traditional dress were interested in a toboggan run. One of them recounted an incident at Zurich Airport, where he was shouted at that “all Jews should be burned.” Kreutner, who was unaware of this episode, noted that not all antisemitic acts are reported to the authorities, particularly when they involve foreigners.
A local tourism office representative stated that the situation in the Graubünden resort has significantly improved this year and that the atmosphere is good.
However, Kreutner attributed this partly to a decrease in the number of visitors: “Due to the war in the Middle East and the late date of a Jewish fast day, there are fewer Jewish clients in Davos this year,” he explained.
