Opinion: Why 2022 will be critical for Jews in Europe – Jewish traditions and rites are under threat as European society becomes ever more secular. But protecting them is part of safeguarding democracy, says Daniel Höltgen from the Council of Europe. | DW

The year 2021 was alarming for Jews in Europe. In May, there was an escalation of antisemitism as violence flared in the Middle East. Synagogues in Germany were vandalized and Israeli flags burnt.
Similar antisemitic incidents were seen elsewhere, and online threats surged. Another dangerous trend has been the rise in antisemitic conspiracy theories during the pandemic. The narrative that Jews have benefited financially from the crisis continues to spread on social media.