The war between Hamas and Israel had far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the borders of the Middle East and into Europe. This expansion of hostilities had a direct impact on the safety and security of the Jewish community, leading to an alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents. Brian Levin, a distinguished researcher on extremism and a professor at California State University, San Bernardino, characterized the situation as "the worst one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust."
On the very same day that Hamas initiated its attack on Israel, an unsettling incident occurred in central Madrid. A synagogue became the target of vandalism, with anti-Semitic Nazi graffiti defacing its walls. The message, which included the words 'Free Palestine' alongside a desecrated Star of David, was swiftly removed. While the world's attention was drawn to the brutal assault by Hamas, it also triggered a disturbing surge in online threats against Jews, intimidation, and menacing actions towards Jewish institutions. Anti-Semitic symbols began to surface prominently.
I’ve been extremely active on Twitter/X for two and a half years. I post prolifically, and have amassed nearly 65,000 followers.
— Sarah Beth Burwick (@sarahbeth345) October 15, 2023
My bio has always included a mention that I am Jewish.
I have seen more antisemitism in the past week than I have in the rest of my life, combined.…
In the United States, the rise of anti-Jewish threats on Telegram, a platform known for its appeal to Islamic State militants and white supremacists, was nothing short of alarming. Within the first 18 hours of the Hamas assault on Saturday, such threats spiked by a staggering 488%, according to the Anti-Defamation League, the oldest Jewish civil rights organization in the United States.
Across the Atlantic in London, a kosher restaurant in the Golders Green area of the city fell victim to vandalism. Mayor Sadiq Khan made it clear that there would be no tolerance for hate. The data painted a grim picture: in the initial four days of the conflict, there was a shocking surge of over 300% in anti-Semitic incidents in Britain, as reported by the “Community Security Trust.”
As detailed in The Guardian, France was not immune to these disturbing trends. The French Minister of the Interior, GĂ©rard Darmanin, took swift action by calling upon regional authorities throughout the country to urgently bolster security measures at synagogues and Jewish schools. In his message, Darmanin emphasized the need for increased vigilance, security, and protection of the Jewish community's sites, given the ongoing terrorist attacks from Gaza against Israel. He also proposed deploying soldiers from Operation Sentinel in France, a specialized force responsible for patrolling streets and safeguarding key sites, to establish a "visible and systematic" security presence.
“We Muslims have one word for Jews.
— Muslims Against Antisemitism (MAAS) (@MAAS_UK) October 15, 2023
Shalom”.
Still as resonant today as it was in the national newspapers 4 years ago when we placed them in. #Muslims #Jews pic.twitter.com/ZBJcJq07Zn
Faced with a significant surge in anti-Semitic incidents since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the French government made a crucial decision. It was announced that pro-Palestinian demonstrations would be prohibited throughout the country. French Interior Minister GĂ©rald Darmanin expressed concerns that such demonstrations could disrupt "public order" and warned that foreign citizens violating this prohibition would face the prospect of deportation from France.
