Nearly 2,000 antisemitic incidents were reported in the French-speaking area of Switzerland in 2024, according to a new report by the Intercommunity Coordination against Antisemitism and Defamation (CICAD).

The 1,789 cases mark the highest number of incidents recorded since 2014 and represent a 90% increase compared to 2023.

More than half of these (52.5%) were categorized as “traditional” forms of antisemitism, while 14.4% were related to anti-Zionism.

This dramatic increase is largely attributed to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. The number of cases rose significantly in May, corresponding with the beginning of the IDF offensive in Rafah on May 6, 2024.

More than two-thirds (72.1%) of reported incidents of antisemitism in 2024 came from social media – specifically, Instagram, Telegram, and X/Twitter – aligning with patterns observed in previous years, according to data from the CICAD, the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG), and the Foundation against Racism and Antisemitism.

The development of artificial intelligence has further fueled concerns surrounding the spread of antisemitism online due to the generation of ultra-realistic videos, which have made it more difficult to distinguish fact from fabrication.

A Swiss flag is pictured during the sunrise on the Commercial and Financial District in Geneva, Switzerland, November 23, 2017 (credit: REUTERS/DENIS BALIBOUSE)
A Swiss flag is pictured during the sunrise on the Commercial and Financial District in Geneva, Switzerland, November 23, 2017 (credit: REUTERS/DENIS BALIBOUSE)
The CICAD reported an “alarming increase” in the number of antisemitic acts directly targeting Jewish students. There was a notable increase in the number of incidents involving hate speech, acts of intimidation, and aggression targeting Jewish students. Reported cases included students being told, “Go back to Auschwitz” and “You’re bad at school because you’re Jewish.”

Posters with the slogan “Intifada jusqu’à la victoire” (Intifada until victory) were hung up around the University of Geneva campus beginning on October 16, 2023, not even two weeks after the October 7 attacks. Similar slogans have appeared across other universities in the French-speaking cantons.

In public spaces, widespread reports of antisemitic graffiti, posters, and symbols were made, especially in the cities of Geneva and Lausanne. Inscriptions such as “Death to Jews” were found in several city centers and green spaces. The spread of explicit hate messages against Jews was similar to cases seen in other European cities, like Amsterdam.

Geneva saw an important legislative advancement when 85% of its citizens voted in favor of banning Nazi symbols in public spaces in June. However, experts insist that rigorous enforcement is needed to guarantee its efficacy.

One demonstration in Geneva attracted particular attention, not only because of its size (around 2,000 protesters) but also due to the appearance of several political figures who took part alongside Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement members. Balancing freedom of expression with the need to prevent antisemitism and the incitement of hatred has been a challenge facing the authorities.

A concerning change in the characteristics of antisemitism in French-speaking Switzerland is the increase in the number of targeted incidents. While incidents in recent years mainly focused on online hate speech, 2024 marked a dangerous escalation in physical aggression and threats against Jews, as well as direct attacks on property, including homes, businesses, and synagogues.

According to the CICAD, security within Jewish communities in Switzerland, which are some of the oldest in Europe, is becoming a national challenge that needs to be addressed quickly.

The organization’s recommendations for combating antisemitism included educational programs for students and teachers, increased police vigilance regarding the documentation and prevention of antisemitic incidents, and more collaboration between the police and institutions like the CICAD.

International context

The Center for Research and Information on Antisemitism reported an increase of more than 200% in antisemitic incidents across Europe, mostly consisting of hateful demonstrations, online propaganda, and acts of antisemitism. In France, which is home to the largest Jewish community in Europe, there was a 350% increase in antisemitic incidents.

The SIG published its report on antisemitism for 2024 in March, reporting a 42.5% increase in antisemitic incidents from 2023 to 2024, steadying after a post-October 7 massacre peak that was significantly higher than before the Hamas-led attack. This included antisemitic incidents in the German, Italian, and Romansh areas of Switzerland.

Ralph Friedländer, president of the SIG, pointed to the war in Gaza as a major catalyst but also stressed that antisemitic acts began spiking immediately after October 7, even before the Israeli response.

Despite the bleak statistics, Friedländer underlined that Switzerland remains safer than many other European countries – a fact reflected in the growing number of Jews relocating there, especially from France.

However, he emphasized that tackling antisemitism must be a shared responsibility: “This is not an issue for the Jewish community alone. It is a challenge for all of Swiss society.”