Cyprus and Greece demonstrated the highest levels of antisemitic sentiment among European Union member states, according to data from the Global 100 survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
In Cyprus, antisemitic views are expressed by 58% of the adult population, the highest rate in the EU. Researchers estimate this represents approximately 627,000 people out of a total population of under one million. In the global ranking of 103 countries and territories, Cyprus ranked 82nd, while in the 'Western Europe' category—where the report's authors also included Southern Europe—it placed last, in 18th position.
Researchers note a high prevalence of specific stereotypes in Cyprus. In particular, 81% of respondents believe Jews have too much influence in the global economy, and 39% agree with the statement that Jews are loyal only to the State of Israel. One in five Cypriots (20%) believes the Holocaust happened, but that the number of victims was exaggerated. This is three times the regional average of 6%.
Cypriots' attitude toward Israel remains less favorable than toward Palestinians: 38% of respondents view Israel positively, 57% view Palestinians positively, and 6% view Hamas positively. At the same time, 81% of Cypriots favor maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel, and 90% support accepting Israeli tourists.
Greece ranked second among EU countries with an index of 50%, corresponding to approximately 4.3 million adult residents. About two-thirds of survey respondents in Greece expressed confidence that a small group of people secretly controls major world events (compared to the regional average of 39%). Third place in Western Europe was taken by Belgium with a score of 30%, where around 2.8 million people share similar views. However, the average figure for Western Europe is 17%, and the ADL calls it the region with the lowest level of antisemitism.
Outside the EU, Eastern Europe's regional index stood at 49%. The highest figures in this part of the continent were recorded in Russia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. Globally, antisemitic views are shared by about 2.2 billion adults—around 46% of the world's adult population. This figure is more than double the data recorded when the index was first launched about a decade ago.
Source: 9tv.co.il
