Suffering a backlash from Israeli policies

European Jews, including those living in Switzerland, have suffered an increasing amount of abuse as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)

According to Mic, a New York based youth news service, the number of anti-Semitic attacks around the world spikes during flash points between Israelis and Palestinians.

This summer’s Gaza operation led to violent anti-Jewish demonstrations in France and attacks on synagogues.

Security had to be stepped up at Swiss synagogues ahead of Jewish New Year celebrations in September, as the number of threats and anti-Semitic slogans on social media sites increased.

But being Jewish – wherever you live – is not akin to supporting Israeli politics.

Swiss-Israeli artist Marina Belobrovaja wanted to find out what it means to be Jewish in Switzerland, Germany, Israel and Ukraine.

She included her findings in a book called ‘The DNA Project’.

Swiss public television, SRF, also interviewed prominent Jews living here about their cultural and religious identity.

Approximately 17,000 Jews are resident in Switzerland, about half of them in the Zurich area.

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