Switzerland saw a sharp increase in online antisemitism in 2025 despite real-world incidents dropping by 20%. This was revealed by the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities SIG and the GRA Foundation Against Racism and Antisemitism in their Antisemitism Report 2025.
The overall level in Switzerland remained significantly elevated throughout 2025, with no sign of a return to the situation before October 7, 2023. This puts a lasting strain on the Jewish community in Switzerland.
In total, 2,185 antisemitic incidents were registered online in 2025, in contrast with 1,596 in 2024, representing an increase of 36.9%.
With 1,445 cases, Telegram accounted for by far the largest proportion of online incidents (in 2024: 890). The comments sections of online newspapers accounted for the second-highest number of incidents, at 380 (in 2024: 300).
In terms of content, antisemitic conspiracy theories dominated, accounting for 42% of online incidents (in 2024: 42%). In total, 39.3% were classified as general antisemitism, 12.4% as Israel-related antisemitism (in 2024: 16.7%), and 6.3% as Holocaust denial or trivialization (in 2024: 6%). At least 24% of online incidents were directly related to the war in the Middle East (in 2024: 28.3%).
In the real world, 177 antisemitic incidents were recorded, including five physical assaults, 42 instances of verbal abuse, 80 antisemitic comments, and 28 cases of offensive graffiti. Among the most serious physical assaults were in February 2025, when a man in Lucerne punched a recognizably Jewish man in the face, and in July, when an attacker pushed and spat on Jewish Orthodox tourists in three different places in Davos.
The key trigger? - war in the Middle East
The war in the Middle East remained the most important trigger, accounting for 37.3% of cases. The data shows significant spikes following relevant events, particularly in June 2025, in connection with the war between Israel and Iran.
SIG and GRA reflected that antisemitism in Switzerland is “not just a temporary crisis-related phenomenon,” making it clear that this is a structural problem that goes beyond individual events and requires long-term responses.
The organizations also warned of a reduction in the quality and freedom of Jewish life in Switzerland, with Jewish people avoiding wearing religious symbols in public or going to certain places and events.
“This indicates a gradual curtailment of Jewish life in the public arena,” they noted. The GRA and the SIG also warned against the acceptance of a certain amount of antisemitism as “normal” or “inevitable” by politicians and society, which they said would undermine the foundations of a democratic state.
Against this backdrop, the GRA and the SIG demand that the protection of Jewish life in Switzerland be guaranteed in the long term. They commended the National Strategy Against Racism and Antisemitism adopted by the Federal Council, but pressed that this must be backed up by decisive action, binding measures, and sufficient financial and human resources.