Among the 12 countries where most Jews live in Europe, Jews feel the safest in Denmark and Hungary, and Hungary has seen the fewest anti-Semitic attacks on Jews.

According to research presented on Monday at the annual conference of the European Jewish Association (EJA) in Budapest, the quality of life of the Jewish communities in Hungary and Italy is the best in Europe.

The study by the EJA and the British Institute of Jewish Policy Research, based in London, weighted the surveys conducted in recent years and established the following order of quality of life for Jews: Hungary and Italy are the best, followed by Denmark, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden , Spain, France, Poland and Belgium.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, president of the European Jewish Association (EJA), said that according to the research, the sense of security of Jews is the highest in Denmark, followed by Hungary, Italy and Austria.

By contrast, Jews in Poland, Germany, Belgium and France feel much less safe.

He also pointed out that, based on the steps taken by European governments to support Jews, Germany, Austria, France and the Netherlands finished at the top of the ranking, while Poland, Denmark, Spain and Belgium did less for the Jewish community.

He added that the purpose of the study is not to argue with one or the other government, but to create a common set of tools for scientifically comparing the quality of life of Jews, and for governments to see what measures they should take.

According to the summary of the United Hungarian Israelite Faith Community - Hungarian Jewish Association, the study takes into account previous surveys on the sense of security of Jews, attacks on Jews and data showing antipathy towards Judaism.

The report examined the sense of security of European Jews, anti-Semitic attitudes and the steps taken by European governments against anti-Semitism, for the safety of the Jewish community and religious freedom, as well as how the given country votes on issues affecting Israel in international forums.

Among the 12 countries where most Jews live in Europe, Jews feel the safest in Denmark and Hungary, and Hungary has seen the fewest anti-Semitic attacks on Jews.

According to the study, Jews feel the least safe in France, but at the same time, France has taken the most necessary steps to preserve the Jewish community, so a positive shift is expected.

According to the report, Belgium is the country that takes the least measures to support Jewish life.

According to the assessment of Slomó Köves, the chief rabbi of the EMIH – Hungarian Jewish Association, the study uniquely integrates the data that show not only the extent of anti-Semitism, but also the level of violence against Jews.

In recent years, Hungarian Jews have felt that the public safety situation has improved, and, as he said, it is gratifying that the EJA's report also confirms this.

MTI

Cover photo: Participants at the annual conference of the European Jewish Association (EJA) at the InterContinental Hotel in Budapest on June 20, 2022 / Photo: Balázs Mohai / MTI