By Imali Ngusale
Since Hamas assault in Israel, hate speech, pro-Palestine protests and cases of antisemitism have spilled all over the Europe and the United States of America. Seemingly, there is a growing antisemitism that is bound to generate more hate as the Israeli and Hams war ensues.
On the 13th of October 2023, France banned antisemitism protest and vowed to protect Jews living in France. The interior minister, Gérald Moussa Darmanin, ordered local authorities to ban all antisemitic demonstrations amid a rise in hate speech since Hamas attacked Israel over the weekend.
Additionally, President Emmanuel Macron urged French people not to allow the war in the Middle East erupt into tensions at home. He warned protestors not to pursue ideological adventures by imitating terrorist in Gaza
While addressing the state, he said, “The shield of unity will protect us (French) from hatred and excesses.” This came after a teacher was murdered and over 100 antisemitic speech recorded in Paris.
On Saturday the 14th of October, 2023 thousands of protesters took to the streets in New York to denounce Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip.
The protesters chanted “free Palestine” and also called for an end to “Israeli occupation” and the “liberation” of the Palestinian territories. They accused Israel of “genocide” and called for the US to withdraw support for its Middle Eastern ally.
In Illinois, State, a 6 year old, Palestinian American boy, was stubbed 26 times by a 70 year old man in an alleged anti-Muslim hate crime. The attack has been linked to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis who reportedly are from West Bank (the ancestral home of the deceased boy).
America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has expressed concerns of increased hate speech and threats the US amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East. The FBI has stated that they cannot discount the possibility that Hamas or other foreign terrorist organizations could exploit the conflict and call on their supporters to conduct attacks on our own soil. During a Press Conference, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of the possibility of “lone actors who may take inspiration from recent events to commit violence of their own.”
In the United Kingdom, antisemitic protestors carrying placards reading “Stop Bombing Gaza” and chanting “Free Palestine” converged on Marble Arch, near the British capital’s Hyde Park and marched towards the Israeli embassy. The organizers of the demonstration claimed that over 100,000 people had gathered for the demonstration.
Additionally 89 incidents on antisemitism were also reported in the United Kingdom and three Jewish schools were closed following a potential “Apprehension” by aggrieved parties.
U.K’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the antisemitism trend “disgusting” and reassured U.K’s support to Israel. As this ensues a surge in hate crimes continues to evolve in London ahead of an anticipated pro-Palestinian protest expected to draw thousands in London.
Reportedly, another antisemitism protest was held in Saturday from the Oxford Circus through Downing Street and also at the environs of the official residence and office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak .Many participants called out for the release of Palestine’s in Gaza. Some protestors waved the Palestinian flags and signs chanting “Free Palestine.”
Yesterday, the 16th of October, 2023 in Germany a large pro- Palestine mass was held in Berlin and Duisburg. A colossal number of attendees lauded antisemitism remarks. Some used Hamas symbols, others openly praises the murder and manslaughter of Jews while others openly burned the Israeli flag. Unsuprisingly, brutal acts of terror have been celebrated against the Jews in broad daylight.
Gérald Darmanin, German’s interior minister confirmed that twenty four people had been arrested after a spate of antisemitic incidents.
In Netherlands, three Jewish schools in Amsterdam will be closed to protect the safety of pupils and teachers. The decision was reportedly made after a former Hamas chief called for protests across the Muslim world on in support of the Palestinians.
In Africa, some pro-Palestine activists have broken the silence on social media. They have openly condemned Israel’s attack on Gaza. One activist wrote, “My fellow Africans, we must never side with oppressors, whoever and whenever they are. Leaders of the powerful nations have rallied around Israel as it annihilates Palestinians in Gaza.”
Another said, “There is a difference between Resistance and terrorism. Resistance is Palestine … Terrorism is Israel!”.
As the conflict deepens, Jews across Europe, Africa and across the world live in fear particularly because they could become a convenient target of unmoderated anger over Israel’s military assault in the Gaza Strip.
The writer is a renown journalist and an international relations scholar and currently works for the Africa Women and Development Network as a communication and knowledge management specialist. The picture used in this article was retrieved here