Cyprus records highest antisemitic attitudes among EU countries in ADL survey

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus recorded the highest level of antisemitic attitudes among European Union countries included in the latest Anti-Defamation League Global 100 survey, with 58 per cent of respondents meeting the study’s threshold.

Survey findings

The findings, released on Monday, placed Cyprus ahead of Greece, where 50 per cent of respondents recorded elevated levels of antisemitic attitudes. Belgium followed with 30 per cent, while the Western European average was 17 per cent.

The survey does not measure antisemitic crimes or assess whether respondents are likely to commit such offences.

Methodology

The study measures the prevalence of apparent antisemitic stereotypes through responses to 11 statements about Jewish people.

Respondents are classified as having elevated antisemitic attitudes if they consider at least six of the 11 statements to be probably or definitely true.

The statements examine beliefs and stereotypes including claims that Jews have excessive influence over politics, finance and the media, are responsible for most of the world’s wars, or have too much power in business.

The survey also examined attitudes towards Israel and other issues concerning Jewish people.

Global results

The ADL said the latest Global 100 study involved more than 58,000 adults in 103 countries and territories, representing locations where 94 per cent of the global adult population lives.

Globally, 46 per cent of respondents were found to hold elevated levels of antisemitic attitudes, which the ADL described as the highest level recorded since the Global 100 was launched in 2014.

The ADL said younger respondents globally showed higher levels of antisemitic attitudes, with 50 per cent of those under 35 meeting its threshold, compared with 37 per cent of respondents aged over 50.