The Danish government has unveiled a new action plan against antisemitism, featuring 17 initiatives and funding of DKK 120 million.
Denmark has seen a massive increase in antisemitic bullying, violence, and death threats since October 7, 2023, according to the latest report by the Jewish Community’s Department for Mapping and Knowledge Sharing of Antisemitic Incidents (AKVAH).
Recently, several people in both Denmark and abroad have been charged with planning terrorist attacks against Jewish and Israeli interests.
AKVAH recorded 207 antisemitic incidents that took place in 2024 and 121 incidents in 2023, compared to just nine in 2022. As such, the Danish government decided to create a new action plan, given the current one expires at the end of 2025.
New action plan will replace plan expiring at the end of 2025
The new plan will last from 2026 to 2029 and contains some existing initiatives as well as new ones.
The existing initiatives cover a broad spectrum of categories, including ‘safety and security,’ ‘research and information,’ ‘children and young people,’ ‘prevention of antisemitism,’ and ‘combating hate crimes against Jews.’
The two new ones are as follows: the government will appoint an antisemitism coordinator for the school and youth education sector and it will also provide support for the establishment of a new association against antisemitic hate crimes.
As part of the initiative to combat antisemitism in schools, all upper secondary education programs can apply for a study trip pool that educates students about the Holocaust and antisemitism.
In addition, through the Finance Act, an extra DKK 20.1m. has been allocated in 2026 toward increasing security at Jewish institutions, as well as funds for existing projects such as mapping online antisemitism, and DKK 12m. for researching antisemitism.
“Jews in Denmark should not feel persecuted, harassed, or receive death threats,” said Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard.
“Danish Jews are part of our common culture, history, and soul, and we as a society have a responsibility to surround our Jewish fellow citizens when antisemitism rears its ugly face.
“This must be done through information and prevention, as well as harsh consequences against those who spread antisemitism and hatred against Jews,” he added.
Church Affairs Minister Morten Dahlin praised the actions being taken so that Danish Jews “can live free and safe lives in Denmark” and expressed hope that future generations do not “have to live with an evil that should be parked in the dustbin of history.”
There are between 6,000 and 7,000 Jews living in Denmark.