“Anti-Semitism is in the air”: Europe steps up measures against praise of Hamas

Officials across Europe are scrambling to limit any spread of tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas, with Germany declaring “zero tolerance” for anti-Semitism and France banning pro-Palestinian protests over fears for public order, The Guardian writes.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the Bundestag on Thursday that while thousands of people rallied in support of Israel, the country also saw “shameful images on our streets in which the most brutal acts of terror were committed in broad daylight.”

The remarks came after demonstrations in Berlin and Duisburg, where participants were given sweets and cakes while some danced and cheered in apparent joy at Hamas’ actions in Israel.

Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, warned that anti-Semitic acts and advocacy of terrorism would be “severely dealt with” in France, which has a large Jewish and Muslim population, in a televised address on the crisis between Israel and Hamas on Thursday evening

The French President said the country should not succumb to “any form of hatred” but must remain united. “Let’s not add national divisions to international ones,” he said.

In recent days, 24 people have been arrested in France after a series of anti-Semitic incidents, the country’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

Scholz announced a ban in Germany on any activity that glorifies Hamas’ crimes in Israel, including the use of its symbols or glorification of murder and manslaughter, as well as the burning of the Israeli flag. According to him, anyone caught doing this will be held accountable.

In announcing the measures, Scholz pointed to Germany’s special responsibility to Israel because of its previous role as perpetrator of the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews were killed.

“Our law governing associations is a sharp sword. And we, as a strong constitutional state, will draw this sword,” said Scholz. There must be “zero tolerance for anti-Semitism,” the German Chancellor added.

Three Jewish schools in Amsterdam said they planned to close on Friday to ensure the safety of students and teachers. The decision reportedly came after the former head of Hamas called for protests across the Muslim world on Friday in support of the Palestinians.

In France, Macron said that the conflict is not between Israel and Palestine, but between “terrorists and a country with democratic values.” He offered his “firm and complete” support to Israel, which he said had every right to respond, but said the response must be “strong and fair.”

“Israel has the right to defend itself… but with targeted actions that preserve the civilian population. This is the duty of democratic countries,” he said.

Thirteen French citizens were killed in Hamas attacks on Israel over the weekend. Another 17 people, including children, are still missing. Several people are believed to be held hostage in Gaza.

“My thoughts are with the families tonight. “I want to tell them that France is doing everything possible, together with the Israeli authorities and our partners, to return them safely to their homes,” Macron said. “France will never abandon its children.”

The president’s address came after French Interior Minister Darmanin banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the country on the grounds that they pose a threat to public order.

On Thursday, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his country was strengthening the security of its Jewish community, adding in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that there was “increased vigilance against anti-Semitic attacks.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged £3m of extra funding to protect Jewish schools and synagogues in the country after the Community Security Trust, a body that provides security advice to Jewish communities, said there had been a 324 increase in reports of anti-Semitic incidents % from the weekend compared to the same period last year.

There was turmoil in Spain and Portugal after two synagogues were vandalized with pro-Palestinian graffiti.

The Jewish community in Porto said the Kadoorie Mekor Chaim synagogue was spray-painted with graffiti on Wednesday including slogans like “Free Palestine” and “end Israeli apartheid.”

Last weekend, a synagogue in Spain was also covered with “free Palestine” messages. These incidents put members of the Jewish community on high alert. Barcelona’s Jewish Community Synagogue said it had canceled several weeks of upcoming events due to safety concerns.

“We are afraid, especially for our young sons and daughters,” Sarah Hasson told El Periódico newspaper. “Anti-Semitism is in the air.”