Holocaust Distortion in Europe: Documentation and Analysis from Five Countries
Towards a common framework

While public antisemitism after 7 October prominently features references to Israel, forms of Holocaust denial and distortion remain very relevant and are deeply intertwined with other forms of antisemitism.

Acts and manifestations of Holocaust denial and distortion appear in various forms and are adopted by different milieus and groups to serve their own political or religious agenda, regardless of societal and country-specific context.

Our publication „Holocaust Distortion in Europe“ examines the alarming prevalence of Holocaust denial and distortion in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and Poland; demonstrating how antisemitic narratives adapt to societal crises, are exploited for political gain, often evade legal accountability, erode historical truth—with harmful consequences for Jewish communities, Holocaust survivors, and their descendants—and highlights the urgent need for coordinated action.

Reports 2025

Antisemitic Incidents in Austria 2024
Annual Report

The Jewish Community Vienna (IKG) recorded 1.532 antisemitic incidents in 2025. It is the highest number since records began.

Antisemitism no longer manifests itself solely in isolated, clearly identifiable incidents. It has coalesced into an atmosphere that is constantly felt by those affected. The term ‘ambient antisemitism’ has now become established to describe this phenomenon; it was coined by the British sociologist Jonathan Boyd and quickly found its way into European discourse.

This phenomenon is not solely defined by individual incidents, but by its ubiquity. In the public sphere, it manifests itself in graffiti, stickers or leaflets glorifying violence and terror on the streets, in regular anti-Israeli demonstrations featuring, in some cases, openly antisemitic slogans, in media coverage of the conflict increasingly perceived as one-sided, and in a toxic climate on social media. In personal lives, it takes the form of casual relativisation in everyday professional or university life, a lack of empathy towards the victims of 7 October, and the silencing of solidarity among our circle of acquaintances.”

Antisemitic Incidents in Germany 2025
Annual Report

The very high level of antisemitic incidents has become entrenched in the second year following October 7, 2023, and the start of the war in Gaza. Nationwide, RIAS received reports of 8,725 incidents.

Once again, the war in the Middle East served as a pretext for many to make antisemitic remarks or to harass Jewish people. Israel-related antisemitism was documented in two-thirds (68%) of all incidents. At the same time, there were significantly more incidents unrelated to Israel than before October 7, 2023.

The persistently high level of antisemitic incidents has continued to restrict Jewish life since October 7, 2023. In 2025, 178 attacks and 257 threats were recorded. Visible Jewish life and activism against antisemitism served as the trigger for such acts:

In 2025, four cases of extreme violence were also documented; including an Islamist-motivated attack at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. The perpetrator had assumed there were Jews there and attacked a non-Jewish tourist with a knife. The victim’s life was saved by emergency surgery.

Incidents with a far-right extremist background reached an all-time high and took overtly violent forms. A far-right extremist group shouted “Jews to the wall” on a bus, threatening refugees and other passengers. They also mocked the Holocaust by claiming that six million murdered Jews were— quote —“not enough.”

Antisemitic Incidents in Italy 2025
Annual Report

The CDEC Foundation’s Antisemitism Observatory documented 963 distinct antisemitic incidents in 2025, marking an increase from the 877 incidents recorded in 2024.

Once again, geopolitical developments served as a primary catalyst. Israel-related antisemitism emerged as the main ideological driver in 66.8% of all recorded incidents in 2025, projecting traditional anti-Jewish myths – such as blood libel – onto the State of Israel and Zionism.

At the same time, multiple ideological variants of anti-Jewish hatred were documented, including neo-Nazism, anti-Judaism, and Holocaust distortion and denial.

The persistently high level of hatred has led to a normalisation of hostility toward Jewish people. In 2025, this manifested through an unprecedented volume of graffiti, the vandalism and desecration of synagogues and Jewish symbols, as well as discrimination, intimidation, threats, and physical assaults.

Visible Jewish life is being alarmingly restricted across Italy, shrinking the social spaces in which Jewishness can be expressed openly. In 2025, Jews faced severe difficulties freely expressing their identity in everyday environments.

Incidents occurred in university classrooms, on public transport, in healthcare facilities, at sports events and in restaurants and hotels. Wearing a kippah, speaking Hebrew, wearing a Star of David necklace, or having an identifiable surname frequently triggered marginalisation, denial of services, and targeted acts of aggression.

Reports 2024

Antisemitic Incidents in Austria 2024
Annual Report

The Reporting Centre for Antisemitism of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG Wien) recorded an increase of antisemitic incidents by 32.5% compared to 2023, marking yet another negative record.

The year 2024 continued to be shaped by the aftermath of the genocidal large-scale attack by Palestinian terrorist organisations on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the resulting war in Gaza.

The rising antisemitism resulted in a persistent fear in everyday life — whether at university, at work, at home, or generally in public spaces—remain present. This leads Jews to adopt conscious and unconscious precautionary behaviour in many areas of life.

Antisemitic Incidents in the Czech Republic 2024
Annual Report

The Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic recorded a total of 4,694 antisemitic incidents in 2024. This represents an 8.46% increase over the 2023 total of 4,328 incidents.

An analysis of the statistical data shows that the severity of antisemitic incidents increased dramatically following the events of October 7, 2023. The subsequent war in Gaza had a fundamental impact on both the number and the content of antisemitic manifestations in 2024 and significantly contributed to the polarisation of Czech society.

Antisemitic Incidents in Germany 2024
Annual Report

The Bundesverband RIAS e.V. annual report on antisemitic incidents in Germany shows a sharp rise in 2024, with cases up nearly 77% compared to 2023. Antisemitism manifested in violence: RIAS documented eight incidents of extreme violence, including Islamist terror attacks in Munich (February) and Solingen (August), alongside an increase in assaults and threats.

Of the 300 threats recorded, 62 combined antisemitism with sexism—typically targeting women with threats of (sexual) violence. This level and intensity of misogynistic violence fantasies had not been observed before 7 October 2023.

Israel-related antisemitism was the most common form. Many of the stereotypes used are not new, but were adapted and applied to the war between Israel and Hamas. Public assemblies played a notable role: 1,800 gatherings featured antisemitic expressions—around 35 events per week, more than double the number in 2023.

Antisemitic Incidents in Italy 2024
Annual Report

The CDEC Foundation’s Observatory on Antisemitism reports a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents in Italy in 2024, both online and offline. It also describes a troubling social climate of hostility, indifference, and ambivalence that leaves many of the Jewish Communities feeling isolated and insecure.

The publication opens with a sociological overview of Italy, including statistical data on public perceptions of security and well-being. It situates current developments in the context of the Arab–Israeli conflict, showing how moments of escalation can reactivate antisemitic stereotypes and rhetoric in public discourse. The report highlights persistent social anxiety, fears linked to war and its consequences, and limited knowledge of the Italian society about the Arab-Israeli conflict, which can foster simplified narratives and hostility toward Israel and Jews.

Alongside its analysis, the report features an annotated compilation of social media posts, an overview of best practices to counter antisemitic hatred implemented in 2024, and bibliographic recommendations for further reading.

Antisemitic Incidents in Poland 2024
Annual Report

The Jewish Association Czulent’s 2024 annual report shows that antisemitism in Poland not only remained present in public life but intensified in the wake of national and international events. Most documented cases fell under the category of offensive behaviour while vandalism and property damage underscored that “classic” antisemitism continues in physical public spaces.

Incidents were frequently intertwined with different forms of antisemitic stereotypes and Holocaust denial. Social media and other online platforms played a central role in spreading hateful content, often fueled by false historical narratives and conspiracy myths.

The analysis identifies key trends and the risks faced by the Jewish community in Poland. Alongside statistics, it includes thematic chapters on rising online patterns such as sexist attacks on women identified as Jewish, Holocaust denial and distortion, correlations with national and international events, and developments linked to the presidential elections.