Anti-Semitism Rises in Europe Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict

As Israel and Hamas continue to exchange fire, anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe, reports Melissa Eddy for the New York Times. “[E]ven as the police have clamped down on demonstrators, banning slogans that target Jews instead of Israeli policies, a spike in violence has spread fear among Jews, not only in Germany but also in other European countries,” Eddy reports. France has prohibited some pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Authorities suspect that far-right extremists are often behind hate crimes and threats, perhaps even more so than typical supporters of Palestine. Strong, official condemnation by government authorities and schools, especially in Germany which has firmly renounced Nazi history with its propaganda and genocide, has had little effect. The general public shrugs, and extreme hate speech is common in social media and other online sites – even among the educated middle class. Economic insecurity, unending conflict in the Middle East and the potential for terrorism contribute to extreme chatter and impulsive violence. – YaleGlobal