Anti-Semitism in Europe the worst since the 1930s, says EU

Over the past three weeks a German synagogue has been firebombed, Stars of David sprayed on residential buildings in France and a Jewish cemetery desecrated in Austria.

Protesters gather at the Freedom Plaza during the National March on Washington for Palestine on Saturday. Picture: AFP

Jews across Europe are living in fear as anti-Semitic attacks and abuse hits levels not seen since the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, the European Commission has warned.

Following pro-Palestinian protests across Europe which saw “demonstrators chanting hate slogans against Jews”, there have been physical attacks targeting individuals and buildings.

“European Jews today are again living in fear,” the commission said.

“The spike of anti-Semitic incidents across Europe has reached extraordinary levels in the last few days, reminiscent of some of the darkest times in history. We condemn these despicable acts in the strongest possible terms.”

Over the past three weeks there has been the firebombing of a German synagogue, Stars of David sprayed on residential buildings in France and a Jewish cemetery desecrated in Austria.

On Saturday a Jewish woman was seriously injured after being stabbed twice in the stomach on her doorstep in Lyon, and a swastika was sprayed on her door.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Sunday France has recorded more than a thousand anti-Semitic acts since the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel.

“The number of anti-Semitic acts has exploded,” he told France 2 television, adding that 486 people have been arrested for such offences, including 102 foreigners.

On Saturday, in the US, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Washington demanding a ceasefire and condemning President Joe Biden’s backing of Israel.

Demonstrators held signs with slogans such as “Biden betrays us” and “In November we remember”, highlighting how the issue could harm the President’s re-election bid in 12 months’ time. Protesters smeared red paint on the gates of the White House, videos shared on social media showed.

In Amsterdam Jewish students and their families were forced to flee a graduation ceremony on Friday evening amid abuse and chants of “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

The commission is urging European governments to enforce legislation banning “public incitement to hatred and violence” while taking action to “continue to step up security measures”.

The Times