The French government reported on Wednesday that the police have detained more than 20 people in connection with findings of antisemitic incidents that have occurred since Saturday, including bullying of Jewish students at school.
Reports indicate Europe’s largest Muslim and Jewish populations are in France. In the past, the Middle East conflict has frequently heightened internal tensions.
#France's interior minister on Thursday ordered local authorities to ban all pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid a rise in antisemitic acts since #Hamas attacked Israel over the weekend. https://t.co/NBMvkiDsM5
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) October 13, 2023
Rising Anti-Semitic Acts in France
Earlier this week, Hamas called for rallies across the Muslim world in favour of Palestinians. Chants from the protesters included “Israel murderer” and “Macron accomplice,” as French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the fatal incident carried out by the extremist Hamas organisation and expressed support for Israel.
President Macron urged the French to remain united and avoid bringing the Israel-Hamas crisis home as French police suppressed a banned rally in Paris on Thursday using tear gas and water cannons.
In a TV speech, Macron stated that “this event is an earthquake for Israel, the Middle East, and beyond.” “Let’s not pursue at home ideological adventures by imitating or projecting.”
“Let’s not add, through illusions or calculations, domestic divides to international divides. The shield of unity will protect us from hatred and excesses,” the French leader added.
Macron stated that there could be no justification for crimes, and that the government has taken action to increase police security of Jewish facilities, including schools and synagogues.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Education Minister Gabriel Attal visited a Jewish school outside of Paris; Darmanin remarked, “It’s important that all French people of Jewish faith know they are protected.” According to Darmanin, 10,000 police officers are guarding 500 locations.
Israeli defensive action against Hamas must not be used as an excuse to stir up hatred against Jews.
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) October 12, 2023
We’re giving @CST_UK an extra £3m to enhance the safety of the British Jewish community.
We stand against antisemitism. And we stand with Israel against Islamist terrorism. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/EqocopfUAC
West Witnesses Surge in Anti-Semitic Acts
Israel was dragged into a tragic situation on Saturday when Hamas terrorists launched a surprise offensive, killing at least 1,000 Israelis, injuring over 2,000, and detaining over 150.
While the Hamas attack has caused parts of the international community to express sympathy for Israel, it has also increased internet threats against Jews, intimidation of Jewish organisations, and outright displays of antisemitic symbols.
US:
According to the Anti-Defamation League, the oldest Jewish civil rights organisation in the US, anti-Jewish threats on Telegram, a social media platform popular with Islamic State militants and white supremacists, increased by an astonishing 488% in the first 18 hours of Saturday.
The American Jewish Committee reported a dozen pro-Hamas rallies in cities across the US, including New York, Washington, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Chicago.
UK:
Jewish organisations said that complaints of antisemitic acts in the UK have tripled since the weekend compared to last year. From 7-10 October, the Community Security Trust (CST) documented 89 “anti-Jewish hate” incidents.
Security Minister Tom Tugendhat stated he was “very concerned” about reports of rising anti-Semitism.
“Make no mistake: these are anti-Jewish racist incidents and hate crimes in which Jewish people, property and institutions are singled out for hate, including death threats and abuse.”
“In many cases, the perpetrators of these disgraceful incidents are using the symbols and language of pro-Palestinian politics as rhetorical weapons with which to threaten and abuse Jewish people,” the CST added.
Jewish schools in London and Manchester have also increased security as there are fears of a rise in antisemitism directed at children.
"We do not tolerate any support for Hamas in Germany."
— DW Politics (@dw_politics) October 12, 2023
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that Germany will take action against hatred of Israel, antisemitism, and support for Hamas using all means available. pic.twitter.com/ufYxspOeeP
Germany:
On Sunday, the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network shared photographs on Instagram showing pro-Palestinian activists sharing sweets in Berlin in honour of Saturday’s Hamas attack in Israel.
Reportedly, Samidoun, a pro-Palestinian organisation, will be banned in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Thursday, adding that its members were celebrating Islamist Hamas “terror” in Israel on German streets.
In a speech to the Berlin parliament, Scholz declared, “Our law governing associations is a sharp sword. And we, as a strong constitutional state, will draw this sword.”
Canada:
Following Hamas’ attack on Israel, Air Canada grounded a pilot who uploaded a series of unexpected antisemitic posts, including a photo of himself at a pro-Palestinian protest with a sign: “Israel, Hitler is proud of you.”
The airline tweeted on Tuesday, “We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9. We firmly denounce violence in all forms.”
Australia:
Pro-Palestine protestors marched from Sydney Town Hall to the Sydney Opera House, which was lit up in white and blue in solidarity with Israel on Monday evening. Canberra’s Parliament House was also lit up in the colours of Israel’s flag.
Australia’s PM, Anthony Albanese, and foreign minister, Penny Wong, criticised pro-Palestine protests caught on camera, wherein people were screaming anti-Jewish slogans in Sydney.
Wong claimed there was “no place for antisemitism in our society,” as concerns arose over why the rally on Monday night was permitted to take place and whether Jewish people were safe in the city.
Israel-Hamas War
The latest development in the Israel-Hamas conflict is that Israel has pledged a “complete siege” of Gaza, shutting off water, food, and electricity supplies. According to Israeli media, the death toll from Hamas attacks has risen to 900.
In response to the attacks, Israel has carried out air and sea attacks, killing more than 680 Palestinians in Gaza, a city of 2.3 million people with nowhere to go.