New survey reveals: Israelis' favorite destinations - the most anti-Semitic in Europe

A global ADL survey found that Cyprus leads Western Europe in anti-Semitism, with 58% holding heightened anti-Semitic attitudes. Greece follows at 50%, and Belgium at 30%. Despite this, 90% of Cypriots support welcoming Israeli tourists, and 81% support maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel.

A new global survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), based on the Global 100 index, found that Cyprus recorded the highest rate of anti-Semitic attitudes among the European Union countries surveyed. According to the findings, 58% of respondents in the country were classified as having an elevated level of anti-Semitic attitudes. The index is based on responses to 11 statements about Jews and anti-Semitic stereotypes. A participant is defined as having an elevated level if they agree that at least six of the 11 statements are "probably true" or "definitely true." Among other things, claims are examined regarding the alleged influence of Jews on politics, economics, and media, their power in the business world, and their responsibility for wars worldwide. The survey does not measure the extent of anti-Semitic incidents or crime in a country, nor does it determine whether those holding these views are likely to commit an anti-Semitic offense. Its purpose is to examine the prevalence of stereotypes and prejudices against Jews among the public. According to ADL data, the result places Cyprus 82nd out of 103 countries and territories included in the survey. In the report's regional breakdown, it recorded the highest figure among the 18 countries classified under "Western Europe." Based on the sample results, researchers estimated that about 627,000 adults in Cyprus hold heightened anti-Semitic attitudes. Some stereotypes received particularly wide agreement: 81% of respondents in Cyprus agreed with the claim that Jews have too much power in the business world, and 39% believed that Jews' loyalty is solely to the State of Israel. Additionally, about a fifth of respondents claimed that the Holocaust did occur but the number of victims was exaggerated – a rate significantly higher than the regional average of 6%. The survey also examined attitudes toward Israel and the Palestinians: only 38% of respondents in Cyprus expressed a positive attitude toward Israel, compared to 57% who expressed a positive attitude toward the Palestinians, and 6% expressed a positive attitude toward Hamas. However, 81% of Cypriots supported maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel, and 90% supported welcoming Israeli tourists to the country. Greece ranks second with 50% holding heightened anti-Semitic attitudes, about 4.3 million adults. In Greece, the rate of believers in conspiracy theories stood out: about two-thirds of respondents said they believe that a small group of people secretly controls major world events, compared to a regional average of 39%. Belgium is third with 30%, about 2.8 million people. The Western Europe average stands at only 17%. Eastern Europe recorded a much higher regional average of 49%, with high rates in Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The study included more than 58,000 adults in 103 countries and territories, home to about 94% of the world's adult population. According to the organization, 46% of respondents worldwide were found to have an elevated level of anti-Semitic attitudes, about 2.2 billion adults – the highest figure since 2014. Among those under 35, 50% met the threshold, compared to 37% among those over 50.