Europe’s Rising Antisemitism and Tensions Amid the Gaza Conflict

Rising Tensions in Europe: Jews and Israelis Facing Backlash Amid Gaza Conflict

Over the past few weeks, Europe has been witnessing a disturbing uptick in incidents targeting Israelis and Jewish communities — both Israeli and non-Israeli Jews alike. These troubling events come amid heated international debate over the Gaza war, and as images of starving Palestinians flood global media, emotions are running high everywhere. The backdrop: mounting accusations of anti-Israeli bias blending into outright antisemitism.

Why This Matters Right Now

Jewish organizations across Europe have been sounding the alarm for years about growing antisemitism — and since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which triggered the Gaza conflict, this issue has intensified dramatically. Many of these groups warn that what starts as criticism of Israeli policies is increasingly spilling over into hateful rhetoric, threats, and sometimes violent actions against Jewish people.

Meanwhile, Europe’s stance on the Gaza war is hardening. Israel is openly criticizing some European governments, and tensions between Israel and various European states have grown noticeably sharper. The divide runs deep: while some European countries push for stronger condemnation of Israel, others refrain from imposing sanctions, opting instead for diplomatic pressure.

In an interesting twist, both Israel and the United States recently rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to officially recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly session this September — a move that further highlights the fractured international approach.

The Vueling Flight Incident: Teens Removed Amid Controversy

One of the flashpoints fueling these tensions happened onboard a Vueling flight when about 50 Jewish teens and their camp director were asked to leave the plane. According to eyewitnesses cited by Israeli media, the group had been singing in Hebrew before being told to stop — after which the airline claimed the teens were “highly disruptive” and that their behavior posed a safety risk.

Jewish parents and advocacy groups quickly condemned the incident, accusing the airline of antisemitic discrimination. Vueling, however, denied any connection to religion, insisting the removal was purely due to safety concerns.

This incident has become emblematic of broader anxieties in Europe, where Jewish people are increasingly fearful of being targeted simply for their identity or cultural expressions.

Spain Steps Up Criticism — And Pro-Palestinian Protests Surge

Spain is among the European nations that have recently taken a tougher stance against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has gone so far as to accuse Israel of genocide, while calling for an arms embargo and suspension of Spain’s trade agreements with Israel.

At the same time, Spanish cities have seen waves of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, reflecting public outrage over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. These protests have been peaceful for the most part, but the sheer scale has caught international attention and added fuel to the already heated debate.

Greece’s Cruise Ship Controversy: Tourists Blocked by Protesters

In Greece, a particularly tense episode unfolded on the island of Syros, where over a thousand Israeli tourists were blocked from disembarking a cruise ship by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The protesters demanded an end to what they called the “destruction caused by the genocidal war” in Gaza and criticized Greece’s growing diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

Greek officials condemned the blockade, emphasizing that while political protest is acceptable, antisemitism and racism are not tolerated in Greece. The government’s stance is clear: the actions were political, not religious. Still, the incident sparked debate about where the line between legitimate political activism and ethnic or religious discrimination lies.

Adding to the complexity, Greece joined dozens of other European countries in a recent statement that criticized Israel’s aid distribution practices in Gaza and condemned its settlement policies in the West Bank — a clear indication of the deepening European unease with Israel’s approach.

Belgium: Arrests and Accusations

Belgium’s response to the conflict has also raised eyebrows. Recently, two Israeli soldiers vacationing there were briefly detained and questioned over alleged war crimes, which the European Jewish Association called a “politically motivated” move.

Jewish leaders in Belgium express growing concern that some government institutions are fostering an environment where antisemitism can thrive. They cite controversial events like a government-supported “Resistance Festival” that some say glorifies Hamas, alongside police actions against Jewish religious practices such as mohel ceremonies, which are vital in Jewish life.

Belgium has embraced a tougher stance on Gaza, supporting sanctions against Israel. King Philippe made headlines recently by calling the human rights abuses in Gaza a “disgrace to humanity,” reflecting the country’s condemnation of Israeli military actions.

Vandalism in Paris and Rising Hate Crimes

May saw five Jewish sites in Paris vandalized with green paint overnight. Targets included the Holocaust museum, three synagogues, and a local Jewish restaurant. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the attacks as “despicable,” while Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on French authorities to protect the Jewish community from growing “hatred and attacks.”

France has been grappling with a rise in hate crimes overall, with police reporting an 11% increase in racist and anti-religious offenses in the past year — a worrying trend that feeds into the sense of insecurity felt by many Jewish residents.

UK Struggles With Increasing Anti-Jewish Violence

Across the English Channel, the UK is facing its own surge in antisemitic incidents. The Community Security Trust, a Jewish community watchdog, recently condemned a brutal attack on three Jewish teenagers at London’s Hampstead Tube station, which police are treating as a racially aggravated crime.

This incident isn’t isolated. The UK has seen a spate of assaults, vandalism, and security threats targeting Jewish communities, all amid heightened political debates over the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In June, controversy erupted when the BBC broadcasted a performance at Glastonbury Festival where punk duo Bob Vylan led chants of “Death to the IDF.” Israeli officials condemned the performance as hateful and inflammatory, leading the BBC to apologize for airing what they termed “antisemitic sentiments.”

Voices From Around the World

The backlash against Jewish communities in Europe is stirring strong reactions:

• Israel’s Minister of Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, blasted the Vueling airline over the removal of Jewish teens, accusing the crew of calling Israel a terrorist state and linking the incident to broader antisemitic campaigns echoing in media outlets like Al Jazeera and Haaretz.

• Greece’s government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis told local media, “Antisemitism and any form of fascism and racism will not be tolerated in Greece. Our country stands firm against racist behavior and hate.”

• In a more nuanced take, Itamar Mann and Lihi Yona, associate law professors at Haifa University, argued in The Guardian that there’s a fine line between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism. They cautioned against conflating anti-Israel views with hatred toward Jews, warning that such labeling can stifle honest debate about the conflict.

What’s Next? The Road Ahead Looks Rocky

European nations are still backing U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. But with emotions running so high, and images from the ground showing a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding, anti-Israel sentiment remains fierce — and in some cases, this is bleeding into outright antisemitism.

The key challenge? How to balance legitimate political criticism and protest with protecting minority communities from hate, discrimination, and violence.

As Europe grapples with these issues, Jewish communities are watching closely, fearful for their safety but hopeful that international diplomacy might bring an end to the fighting — and with it, a cooling of the tensions that have so deeply unsettled the continent.

Quick Pointers to Keep in Mind:

• Jewish groups warn of rising antisemitism since October 2023.

• European nations divided on Israel, but none imposing sanctions outright.

• Vueling flight incident sparks accusations of antisemitism.

• Spain calls for arms embargo, labels Gaza situation genocide.

• Greek protesters block Israeli tourists but insist their protests are political.

• Belgium detains Israeli soldiers amid claims of political motives.

• Paris Jewish sites vandalized; hate crimes rising in France.

• UK sees attacks on Jewish teens and controversial BBC broadcasts.

• Leaders worldwide call for balance between criticism and combating hate.