--- title: "Cyprus tops EU anti-Semitism ranking: sociologists' data and the Ukrainian context" description: "🇪🇺 Cyprus took 1st place in the EU for anti-Semitism (58%), while Ukraine shows a historical minimum of xenophobia (12-14%). We analyze sociologists' data and the political context of 2026. #Ukraine #Cyprus #Sociology" date: 2026-08-16T19:23:09.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/cyprus-tops-eu-antisemitism-ranking-sociologists-data-and-ukrainian-context tags: [cyprus, antisemitism, ukraine, social-politics, fpa-report, zelensky-rating] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Cyprus tops EU anti-Semitism ranking: sociologists' data and the Ukrainian context ![Man with beard and sunglasses on the background of Cyprus beach, reflection in glasses shows people discussing the topic of antisemitism.](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/16/kypir-zanyal-pervoe-mesto-v-es-po-antisemitizmu-dannye-sociologov-i-ukrainskij-kontekst/kypir-zanyal-pervoe-mesto-v-es-po-antisemitizmu-dannye-sociologov-i-ukrainskij-kontekst-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Cyprus leads the EU in anti-Semitism levels with a figure of 58%. - Ukraine demonstrates one of the lowest levels of xenophobia in Europe (12-14%). - Zelenskyy's approval rating in August 2026 stands at 62%. - The rise in anti-Semitism in Cyprus is linked to the migration crisis and geopolitics. On August 16, 2026, European sociological institutes published the results of a large-scale monitoring of xenophobia and ethno-political tolerance levels in European countries. The study recorded a deep rift in the public opinion of EU countries, provoked by the protracted crisis in the Middle East, and once again refuted key propaganda stereotypes regarding the internal situation in Ukraine. ### The Cypriot phenomenon and the European cross-section According to a verified report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Republic of Cyprus took first place in the European Union in terms of anti-Semitic sentiments — the indicator reached 58%. For comparison, the average index for Western European countries was recorded at 17%. Analysts emphasize that the explosive growth of negative sentiments in Cyprus is not religious, but purely geopolitical in nature. The island, which became the main logistical and migration hub for hundreds of thousands of refugees from Lebanon and Syria during the Middle East conflict of 2025–2026, was subjected to massive information pressure. Local political forces and social movements effectively extrapolated criticism of the Israeli government's actions to the entire Jewish population, provoking a crisis of tolerance. ### Fact-checking: Real indicators for Ukraine Attempts by some media to claim that similar studies have not been conducted in Ukraine are completely refuted by the long-standing practice of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). According to recent internal and international measurements (including an audit by the Anti-Defamation League), Ukraine demonstrates one of the lowest levels of anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe — within the range of 12–14%. More than 85% of citizens state an exclusively respectful attitude towards compatriots of Jewish origin. Synchronously, KIIS published a cross-section of political trust: against the backdrop of an ongoing intra-political crisis and protests lasting more than a month due to the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, the level of support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains at 62%. ### Analytics: The collapse of the "radicalism" myth International commentators note that over the years of existential war, Ukrainian society has made a tectonic shift towards the Western inclusive model. Civic identity: The election and retention in power of a leader with Jewish roots, as well as the current demonstrative self-irony of black deputies (as in today's case of Jean Belenyuk), prove that Ukrainian patriotism is built on the principles of citizenship, not blood. Immunity to information influence: Despite the colossal efforts of Russian special services to incite internal inter-ethnic conflicts on religious grounds, the Ukrainian rear demonstrates high consolidation. Military actions have united citizens of Armenian, Jewish, Georgian, and Crimean Tatar origin around the idea of defending sovereignty. ### Contradictory data There is a discrepancy in the interpretation of the reasons for the rise of anti-Semitism in Cyprus. Official FRA data links this to the geopolitical echo of the war and the migration crisis. However, some independent sociologists point out that part of the negativity may be related to traditional religious factors, which were highlighted as secondary in the FRA report. At the same time, in Ukraine, KIIS data on the low level of xenophobia (12-14%) is sometimes questioned by international observers, who note that in wartime conditions, sociological surveys may give a distorted picture due to respondents' fear. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What is the level of anti-Semitism in Cyprus? **A:** According to the FRA report, the level of anti-Semitic sentiments in Cyprus is 58%. ### Q: Are anti-Semitism measurements conducted in Ukraine? **A:** Yes, regular measurements are conducted by KIIS and international organizations (ADL). The indicators are low (12-14%). ### Q: What is Zelenskyy's approval rating in August 2026? **A:** According to KIIS data, the level of support is 62%.