London protesters supporting an anti-Israel BDS campaign, pictured. Photo: BICOM / khaled via Flikr.

Verbal and physical attacks against Jews in Europe increased “dramatically” in 2014 across the continent, the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance said in its annual report released on Thursday.

“In some countries the number of antisemitic attacks more than doubled in 2014 compared to the previous year,” said the report.

The ECARI — which functions under the Council of Europe — noted an increase in antisemitic trends in Muslim immigrant communities, particularly among the younger generation.

“Tensions rise in the wake of any renewed violence in the Middle East conflict and lead to sweeping generalizations against all Jews,” said the report, pointing to the surge in antisemitism throughout the 2014 Gaza war.

The report also said there was not enough emphasis in public discourse placed on distinguishing between criticism of Israel’s actions and manifestations of antisemitism and hatred of Jews in European countries.

The head of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Israel, Fulvio Martusciello, meanwhile claimed on Wednesday one reason for the surge in antisemitism was actually a lack of education on Israel.

He said that combating European antisemitism and improving relations with Israel were ultimately linked, the Jewish News reported.

“The solution for this is education. We must give a better image of Israel in institutions and make it better known, not only to the public but MPs and politicians as well,” he said.