The already massive spikes of antisemitism across Europe since October 7th, up by 1000% in some countries, still only represents “the tip of the Iceberg,” said European Jewish Association (EJA) Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin.
‘’If you want to know the real situation, make online reporting possible”, he urged in a letter sent to every Equropean Minister of the Interior.
Rabbi Margolin wants to see a simplified procedure for reporting and suggests an online reporting form available that Jews who are subjected to an antisemtic act can file a report on, and that police can monitor and follow up on.
In his letter, Rabbi Margolin said: “It is a regrettable truth, but a truth nonetheless that most Jewish people who have been subjected to an antisemitic incident, do not bother to report it. There are a number of reasons why this is the case. In many instances, antisemitism, particularly vocal, is an everyday occurrence.’’
“There is often little hope of any meaningful outcome either, meaning that many of those affected see little point in reporting it,’’ he added.
“Finally, and perhaps most importantly, reporting antisemitism means taking the time to go to the nearest police station, sitting down for an interview and filling out lengthy paperwork. Combined, these factors are masking what we at the European Jewish Association believe is the tip of the antisemitic iceberg.’’
“I urge you to expedite a simplified procedure for reporting antisemitism. The most obvious solution is an online form where victims can report, leave all the necessary details, then allow the forces of law and order to follow up.
“We believe that the real levels of antisemitism across Europe are much,much worse than are being reported. To get a proper handle on it, we need to first understand the scope and scale of what we are dealing with. Just like an iceberg, antisemitism in Europe today is only partly visible on the surface”, Rabbi Margolin concluded.
