So this article from last year is pretty illuminating:

https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/50-percent-of-swiss-jews-faced-antisemitic-abuse-in-past-five-years-study-633865

In your experience, how are Jews perceived in your country?

6 comments

  1. Never witnessed antisemitism jews is one among many other religious communities.

    Edit: some triggered attorney disputes my experience about antisemitism while I just wanted to answer “my experience” as it is mentioned in OP’s question. Because of this I have to clarify : yes there could be some different opinions out there, no need to make an internet grand debate about this!

    Edit2: another triggered individual surprised it isn’t more common to experience antisemitism in my life. This seem to be problematic. If any SVP or far right member goes to a nazi event please let me know so I can participate. Please know though that I hate antisemitism and I think it’s wrong. But apparently I need to say yes I experienced it to avoid further debate on reddit

  3. I don’t think I ever saw some openly antisemitistic behavior directly towards a Jewish person. However I’ve heard many people talking about how Jews occupy many powerful positions in society, media, etc, of course usually in a negative way.
    I think this is pretty common, but being openly racist towards Jewish people in front of them, my feeling is that it’s not happening so often. Well, I’m not Jewish so it’s just a feeling.

  4. I’ll answer. I’m not Jewish, but half of my family is so I can give you a *bit* of a “goy on the inside” perspective.

    Perception: in my experience, the Christian swiss majority is pretty ignorant when it comes to Judaism and look at me like I’m an alien if I mention anything Jewish (high holidays, etc…people just don’t seem to know much about them). And I feel like half the time the conversation devolves into something pro-Palestine, because people confuse Judaism with Israel…not every Jew is a pro-Bibi, pro-settlements, pro-apartheid Zionist, ffs, yet people seem to think they are.

    Antisemitism: that statistic doesn’t surprise me. Antisemitism is on the rise globally…probably also here in good old safe Switzerland. Wiedikon has been quasi-locked down several times in the last few years with police protection, so antisemitism and terror threats are definitely alive and kickin’. And last spring a dude was filmed carving a swastika into a tree in zurich. I also vaguely remember a guy following Hasidim around and threatening them with knives maybe two or three years ago.

    Lots of incidents like this happen, but the greater public just might not hear about it. But I know my cousins no longer feel comfortable wearing Hebrew / stars of David necklaces because it calls too much attention to being Jewish. You have to ask yourself: how many Christians here don’t feel comfortable wearing a cross due to personal safety?

  5. I’m Jewish. I lived in London before this and did experience genuine anti-semitism there. Mainly having to do with the Palestine situation as London is very liberal.

    I work at a large manufacturing plant in canton Bern and when one of my coworkers heard that I’m Jewish he goes “hey why aren’t you working in the finance or law department? Why you slaving away on the production floor with the idiots like me?” He’s a funny guy and he meant it lightheartedly but still… Stuff like that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Don’t like it.

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