Published: 3 November 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
Children have been threatened in LA and London, Star of David signs painted outside Jewish homes in Paris and a camouflaged mezuzah has become a hot item in the Netherlands.
In Los Angeles, a man screaming "kill Jews" attempts to break into a family's home. In London, girls in a playground are told they are "stinking Jews" and should stay off the slide. In China, posts likening Jews to parasites, vampires or snakes proliferate on social media, attracting thousands of "likes".
These are examples of incidents of antisemitism, which have surged globally since the attack by Hamas gunmen on southern Israel on October 7 and subsequent war on the Islamist group launched by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
"This is the scariest time to be Jewish since World War Two. We have had problems before, but things have never been this bad in my lifetime," said Anthony Adler, 62, speaking outside a synagogue where he had gone to pray in Golders Green, a London neighbourhood with a large Jewish community.
Adler, who runs three Jewish schools, temporarily closed two of them after October 7 because of fears of attacks on pupils, and has beefed up security at all three.
The FBI in America has responded to the spike, with its director warning of increased threat of attacks amid ‘historic levels’ of antisemitism in the US. Christopher Wray noted that while Jews account for less than 3% of the US population, around 60% of religious-based hate crimes target Jews.
In Paris, police are investigating dozens of Stars of David found spray-painted on the walls of buildings in the 14th arrondissement, the latest in a series of incidents tied to the Israel-Hamas war that have had French Jews on high alert since October 7.
Authorities announced the investigation on Tuesday, days after similar graffiti was found in the suburbs of suburbs of Vanves, Fontenay-aux-Roses and Aubervilliers. In the nearby town of Saint-Ouen, some graffiti was accompanied by slogans such as “Palestine will overcome.”
The rising antisemitism has seen a new invention becomne popular: The camouflaged mezuzah. Disguised to resemble an alarm sensor, "Camozuzah" is the brainchild of Ireland-based Chabad rabbi, who developed it in 1921.
So far, 75 Jewish families in the Netherlands alone have ordered the Camozuzah since October 7.
Worldwide and in Europe especially, orders are for the first time streaming in, according to the product’s developer.
Open hatred of Jews surges globally, inflamed by Gaza war (Reuters)
In Los Angeles, a man screaming "kill Jews" attempts to break into a family's home. In London, girls in a playground are told they are "stinking Jews" and should stay off the slide. In China, posts likening Jews to parasites, vampires or snakes proliferate on social media, attracting thousands of "likes".
In Europe, soaring antisemitism popularises a new invention: The camouflaged mezuzah
Disguised to resemble an alarm sensor, Camozuzah is brainchild of Ireland-based Chabad rabbi; it’s increased adoption underlines surge in hostility to Jews amid Israel-Hamas war
Stars of David spray-painted on Paris buildings remind Jews of 1930s, mayor says (JTA)
FBI director warns of increased threat of attacks amid ‘historic levels’ of antisemitism in the US (JTA)
Christopher Wray noted that while Jews account for less than 3% of the U.S. population, around 60% of religious-based hate crimes target Jews.
The Israeli flags outside his Greek diner prompted a boycott. Then Jewish eaters came to his rescue (Forward)
Business at the Golden Dolphin had dropped precipitously after its owner posted pictures of the hostages and flew Israeli flags outside the diner
