Anti-Semitic attacks increase worldwide

There was a sharp increase last year in anti-Semitic attacks around the world, according to the annual report of the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism and Racism at Israel's Tel Aviv University. It reported 590 instances of violence or vandalizm against Jews last year, the highest since 2000. In Britain, there were 100 such attacks, the highest in 20 years. It said the attackers were primarily Muslim immigrants and extreme right-wing youths. It also said the physical attacks against Jews more than doubled over 2005, from 130 to 270: "Such assaults, which took place mostly in schools, at the work place and in streets near Jewish institutions, were usually randomly perpetrated when an opportunity presented itself."

Sources: UPI, April 15; annual report of Stephen Roth Institute.