Anti-Semitism on the rise in the Czech Republic

The number of anti-Semitic incidents in the Czech Republic has been on the rise, though it is still low compared to other countries, according to the annual report for 2004 compiled by Forum Against Anti-Semitism. While in 2003 no physical attacks based on anti-Jewish sentiments were reported, last year five such cases occurred, while the number of attacks against property has also increased. Observers regard anti-Semitic behavior at rock concerts as particularly worrying. Israel's ambassador to the Czech Republic, Arthur Avnon, and European Commission director for Israel, Rijk van Dam, agreed at a joint press conference that the number of anti-Semitic manifestations in the central European country was relatively low, compared to fellow EU countries. Avnon, however, pointed out that statistics can register only visible manifestations of anti-Semitism, not hidden xenophobia and hatred towards Jews.