Anti-Semitic incidents: arson, graffiti, murder

The most important information about attacks on Jews comes together at the World Jewish Congress in New York. Over the past three years, the umbrella organization has collected data on thousands of incidents worldwide. A selection shows: Intimidation is everyday life. Police officers die too.

October 7, 2023 triggered a wave of anti-Semitic violence worldwide. In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attack, threats, attacks and property damage rose sharply in Germany, Britain and France, while authorities increased protection of Jewish institutions. This was followed by arson attacks, shootings, knife attacks and pogroms against synagogues, schools, cemeteries and individuals in many countries. The perpetrators often referred to Gaza, radicalized themselves online or acted in the context of extremist groups. The text shows how a sharp increase in 2023 to 2026 became a persistent international threat.

On the day of Hamas' attack on Israel, German authorities tightened their protection of Jewish institutions across the country. The Interior Minister will later explain that terror was cheered on German streets and the police were attacked. Since then, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has seen a “significant danger situation”: Extremist groups are exploiting the suffering in the Middle East for their own purposes. Under the guise of legitimate criticism of Israel, hatred and violence against Jews are being fomented.