The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 with a mission to combat anti-Semitism. Even at that time we took upon ourselves the responsibility to stand up against all forms of bigotry, but the primary purpose of the organization to this day is the struggle against anti-Semitism.
That is why the release of the ADL Global 100 Index of Anti-Semitism -- the broadest public opinion survey of attitudes toward Jews around the world ever conducted -- is one of the most important efforts we have undertaken in our history as an organization.
The survey was conducted in more than 100 countries and territories, and 53,100 people were interviewed, representing 4 billion adults around the world.
Our basic findings were sobering: More than one-quarter of the people surveyed (26 percent) harbor anti-Semitic attitudes. The stereotypes receiving the most support worldwide were those that generate dangerous political anti-Semitism, those questioning the loyalty of Jews and those asserting excessive Jewish power and influence. And, despite decades of efforts to promote Holocaust awareness, only 33 percent of those surveyed are aware of the Holocaust and believe that it is accurately described by historians.
We approach this project with a sense of pride, but also humility, knowing that it provides direction rather than definitive answers. The ADL Global 100 survey will form a baseline for further consideration of anti-Semitism and Holocaust awareness.
Most importantly, the survey will, we hope, begin conversations among governments, scholars, NGOs and others around the world on the whys and wherefores of attitudes toward Jews, and lead to new initiatives to counteract these pernicious attitudes. In this regard, a few comments are in order.
First, we recognize that polling public opinion, however important a barometer of the state of anti-Semitism in a particular country, is only one factor. Other indicators, such as how many anti-Semitic incidents there are, how secure the Jewish community feels, how anti-Semitism plays out in politics, culture, entertainment and religion, are all elements in assessing the extent of anti-Semitism in a particular society.
In polling anti-Semitic attitudes, this survey plays an important role in setting the stage for the broader discussion of anti-Semitism in varying societies, providing important context for offensive and violent expressions of anti-Semitism.
Second, as the organization primarily responsible for dealing with anti-Semitism, ADL frequently encounters comments suggesting we have a vested interest in finding anti-Semitism. With this global survey we do not seek to exaggerate how much anti-Semitism there is in the world; rather, we want to document empirically how things actually are.
Indeed, one of the many fascinating aspects of this poll is the positive side of the story, highlighted by countries where anti-Semitic attitudes are absent or relatively minor. We see that in several Asian countries like Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines. We see lower numbers in several West European countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands. And, in general, English speaking countries have significantly better attitudes toward Jews than the world at large.
These positive findings are important for two reasons. First, they show how varied attitudes are toward Jews. Second, they suggest the need for further investigation to determine what the common factors are that may bring people of some countries to have more positive attitudes toward Jews than other countries.
Third, over the years questions have been raised about ADL’s methodology in assessing anti-Semitic attitudes through similar polling. ADL polling is based on an index of anti-Semitism developed by University of California at Berkeley academics back in the 1960s. They looked at 11 classic stereotypes about Jews –statements about Jewish power and influence, Jewish loyalty and personal traits.
The index we used in the ADL Global 100 is based on these 11 stereotypes, and rests on the idea that if an individual agrees with six or more of these stereotypes, he or she is deemed to have anti-Semitic attitudes. The strength of this methodology is its high bar: It does not rest on agreeing with any one question, but agreeing to six or more of these age-old anti-Semitic assertions makes clear one’s biased attitude toward Jews.
Moreover, these 11 statements are not random. These are classic stereotypes that represent the main anti-Jewish canards through the millennia. The fact that we have seen such varying responses from around the world demonstrates that the 11 statements do not, in and of themselves, elicit anti-Semitic responses, but that some have clearly internalized these stereotypes.
Fourth, there is the question of the relationship between attitudes toward Israel and attitudes toward Jews. It is evident that the Middle East conflict matters with regard to anti-Semitism. However, from our findings in the survey, it is just not clear whether the Middle East conflict is the cause, or the excuse, for anti-Semitism.
When it comes to religious factors affecting anti-Semitic attitudes, those who are Muslims overall have significantly higher anti-Semitic attitudes than other religions. If, however, we only look at the countries outside of the Middle East and North Africa, the numbers for anti-Semitic attitudes for Muslims are still higher than those among Christians, but not significantly so.
A particularly disturbing finding was that four out of ten people around the world question the loyalties of Jews to their own country.
Many people believe that hostility toward Israel is really a camouflage for hostility toward Jews.
Either way, the high numbers of those who harbor anti-Semitic attitudes in the Middle East and North Africa are a challenge to the region -- and the international community -- going forward.
Finally, there was much about this landmark study that did not surprise us. The fact that anti-Semitic attitudes were highest first in the Middle East and North Africa, followed by Eastern Europe, was predictable.
For ADL, therefore, this survey is an important beginning. The conversations that will ensue, in governments and in civil society, will ultimately be the test of the impact of this worldwide poll. We trust it will provide a better understanding of global anti-Semitism and its global reach, and will lead to serious efforts to address this worldwide problem -- the true purpose of this unique initiative.