Data Reveals Italian Antisemitism
BREAKING: 18% of Italians Believe Anti-Jewish Vandalism is 'Legitimate'
New poll reveals concerning levels of antisemitic sentiment in Italy, with significant percentages justifying violence and discrimination against Jewish people amid Israel-Hamas conflict.
A new national survey from Italy reveals alarming public tolerance for anti-Jewish hostility, with 15% of respondents considering physical attacks on Jewish people to be “entirely or fairly justifiable.”
The poll, conducted by the research firm SWG between September 24-26 among a national sample of 800 adults, underscores a worrying spike in antisemitic sentiment across the country, linked primarily to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Tolerance for Hostility Extends Beyond Violence
The data indicates that the normalization of anti-Jewish sentiment is not limited to physical violence.
Key findings of the SWG survey include:
The survey figures reflect a broader public mood where anti-Zionist protests over Israel’s Gaza offensive appear to be crossing into overt hostility toward Jewish individuals and institutions.
The findings have raised concerns among Jewish community leaders and anti-discrimination watchdogs, suggesting that a significant segment of the Italian public is prepared to rationalize forms of antisemitism in the context of the Middle East conflict. Italy, like many European nations, has seen a rise in reported antisemitic incidents following the outbreak of the war.
The full report is expected to prompt further national debate regarding the distinction between political criticism of Israel and the growing acceptance of outright antisemitism in public life.