Published: 24 June 2022
Last updated: 5 March 2024
A new survey has ranked all the countries in Europe for the quality of their Jewish life
Italy is the best country in Europe for Jewish life, according to a landmark new study.
Compared to its neighbours across the continent, it scores highly on communal security, the fight against antisemitism, and freedom of religion.
The UK came in joint third in the report commissioned by the European Jewish Association (EJA), behind Hungary and Italy and tied with Denmark and Austria.
Hailing Hungary’s second-place finish, Shomo Koves, the country’s Chief Rabbi, said: "This study uniquely combines various data that represents not just the level of antisemitic views among the population, but also the amount of violence against Jews.
“Over the past few years Hungarian Jews have felt the situation improve, and we are glad to see that the EJA study supports our feelings.
“Rigorous cooperation between the Jewish community and the Hungarian government in recent times has yielded immediate and direct improvements in security, including constitutional and legislative changes and a police focus on handling antisemitic incidents, among other measures.”
Taking the wooden spoon is Belgium, which in recent years has adopted a ban on kosher slaughter in two of its three regions and where the government has yet to appoint a national coordinator against antisemitism.
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The best place in Europe to be Jewish in 2022 (Jewish Chronicle)
Photo: Map of Europe (Creative Common/ Pxhere)
