"European Jews today are again living in fear," European Commission says

The European Commission said Sunday that “European Jews today are again living in fear,” amid a spike of antisemitic incidents across Europe in the weeks since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

“The spike of antisemitic incidents across Europe has reached extraordinary levels in the last few days, reminiscent of some of the darkest times in history,” a statement published on the European Commission’s website read.

A spate of antisemitic assaults have shaken Jewish communities across Europe, since the war between Israel and Hamas began.

In its statement, the Commission pointed to this “resurgence of antisemitic incidents and rhetoric in the European Union and worldwide,” citing Molotov cocktails thrown on a synagogue in Germany, stars of David sprayed on residential buildings in France, a Jewish cemetery desecrated in Austria, Jewish stores and synagogues attacked in Spain, as well as demonstrators chanting hate slogans against Jews.

“In these difficult times the EU stands by its Jewish communities. We condemn these despicable acts in the strongest possible terms. They go against everything that Europe stands for. Against our core values and our way of life,” the statement read.

The Commission said the attacks were “against the model of society” it represents: “one based on equality, inclusiveness and the full respect of human rights. Jewish, Muslim, Christian – no one should live in fear of discrimination or violence because of their religion or their identity.”

“The EU is determined to protect the wellbeing of all its communities, ethnic, religious or other,” it added. “We have to push back against this rise in antisemitism, as well as the rise in anti-Muslim hatred that we have been witnessing over the past weeks – which has no place in Europe,” the statement read.

The Commission said it would “continue to step up security measures,” in cooperation with member states.