Antisemitism remains a significant concern in Switzerland, with a marked increase in online incidents reported in 2025, even as instances of real-world harassment decreased.
Antisemitism continues to be a problem in Switzerland, according to a report released Tuesday by the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities and the Foundation Against Racism and Antisemitism. The report indicates that the wars in the Middle East have frequently served as a catalyst for antisemitic incidents.
Whereas reported antisemitic incidents in public spaces decreased, the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities registered a substantial increase in online antisemitism in 2025. The Antisemitism Report detailed nearly 2,200 incidents occurring online, compared to approximately 1,600 the previous year.
Before October 7th, we might have had a physical assault every few years.
The lives of Jewish people in Switzerland have changed since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip, said Jonathan Kreutner, General Secretary of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities.
“Before October 7th, we might have had a physical assault every few years. That was something very, very rare. Something that therefore also attracted great media attention,” Kreutner stated. Since October 7, 2023, there have been over two dozen physical assaults, representing a significant increase in attacks against Jewish individuals.
Insults, Statements, and Physical Assaults
This increase is causing significant concern and insecurity within the Jewish community. Last year, incidents occurred in Lucerne and Davos where Orthodox Jews were beaten and shoved. In Zurich, a Jewish Orthodox woman was struck with stones.
The Antisemitism Report recorded five such physical assaults for the past year. While this is fewer than the previous year, it is still considerably more than in the period before October 7th. More than 40 cases are documented where Jewish individuals were verbally abused in public spaces, often referencing the situation in the Middle East.
The development shows a clear increase of 37 percent in antisemitic incidents online.
Kreutner also expressed significant concern over antisemitic statements made online. “The development shows a clear increase of 37 percent in antisemitic incidents online.” He noted that increases have occurred in previous years, but this surge is particularly noteworthy.
Two-Thirds on Telegram
Telegram is particularly affected, with two-thirds of incidents being recorded there, but other social media platforms and online newspaper comment sections have also been implicated.
Kreutner emphasized that critical comments about Israeli policy are legitimate. However, a line is crossed when Swiss Jews are held responsible for the situation in the Middle East, when Israel is compared to Nazi Germany, or when Jews are portrayed as bloodthirsty.
