The US Department of State has released a report that points to the rise of discrimination against Jewish and Muslim people around the world.
The International Religious Freedom Report is put together every year. The findings for 2012 demonstrate an increase in anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe and Asia. The report specifically mentions Belgium, wich has banned face-covering religious attire in classrooms, and India, which has also imposed restrictions on headscarf wear in schools.
Venezuela, Egypt, and Iran were mentioned as countries with growing anti-Semitism. According to the report, on October 19, in response to a religious leader’s call to “destroy the Jews and their supporters”, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said “amen”.
The report was unveiled by John Kerry, following which the US Secretary of State appointed Ira Foreman the new special envoy on anti-Semitism. Foreman was in charge of appealing to Jewish voters as part of Barack Obama’s pre-election campaign last year.