Are 14% of Australians really anti-Semitic?
A WORLDWIDE survey of more than 50,000 people in over 100 countries which found that more than a quarter of those polled harboured deeply anti-Semitic attitudes should be “viewed with caution”.
A WORLDWIDE survey of more than 50,000 people in over 100 countries which found that more than a quarter of those polled harboured deeply anti-Semitic attitudes should be “viewed with caution”.
That was the message from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry following the release last week of the US-based Anti-Defamation League’s global 100 index.
According to the study, the Middle East and North Africa constitute the most anti-Semitic region in the world, with 74 per cent of the population holding anti-Jewish views, followed closely by Greece, Malaysia and Armenia.
But Australia and New Zealand (Oceania) were classed as the least anti-Semitic region on the planet, with only 14 per cent of residents harbouring anti-Jewish feelings.
Poll participants were asked whether they agreed with a series of statements deemed anti-Semitic such as “Jews think they are better than other people”.
Of the 11 statements, the highest “probably true” response from Australians was 41 per cent to the assertion that “Jews are more loyal to Israel than to [this country/to the countries they live in]”
But only seven per cent of respondents – the lowest ratio of the 11 questions – agreed with the proposition that “Jews are responsible for most of the world’s wars”.
Other responses included “Jews have too much power in the business world” (11 per cent agreed), “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust” (26 per cent), “Jews don’t care what happens to anyone but their own kind “ (19 per cent) and “People hate Jews because of the way Jews behave” (21 per cent).
In total, 14 per cent of Australians polled answered “probably true” to a majority of the 11 statements.
Asked how they think Jews are treated in Australia, 58 per cent of respondents chose “good”, 32 per cent chose “excellent”, four per cent “not so good” and two per cent “poor”.
B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said that although he was heartened by Australians’ generally low rate of anti-Semitic sentiments and high level of knowledge about the Holocaust, he was concerned at other findings.
“Some of the results of this comprehensive poll are troubling, in particular the belief by 41 per cent of Australians polled that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to Australia. It is also distressing that 14 per cent of Australians answered ‘probably true’ to a series of classic anti-Jewish statements which demonstrates that anti-Semitic beliefs still endure and remain strong with a substantial segment of the population.
“It tells us that pernicious views about Jews die hard, especially those concerning Jewish power, control of businesses and financial markets, and money. I am also gravely concerned that 71 per cent were either fairly unconcerned or not concerned at all about violence against Jews, Jewish symbols and Jewish institutions,” he said.
Abramovich pledged the ADC would refocus and step up its efforts to reach out to groups to explain the dangers and harm in hate crimes and in building a more tolerant and accepting Australia.
However, not all communal leaders felt the poll results should be taken at face value.
Noting that the way questions in the survey were phrased encouraged negative rather than positive responses, ECAJ president Robert Goot said, “Last year, based on advice we had received, the ECAJ queried some of the polling and sampling methodologies that were adopted by ADL and the way in which certain questions were framed.
“Because of our concerns in respect of those matters, we believe that the results should be viewed with caution.”
AJN STAFF
B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dr Dvir Abramovich.
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