Antisemitic incidents on the rise since Hamas attack

Event

Guardian, October 15, 2023

Greater Manchester, metropolitan county in northwestern England.

Antisemitic incidents are increasing as Israel’s retaliation against Gaza intensifies, a council leader in Greater Manchester has warned as police in the region deployed extra officers to deal with hate crime. Bury, home to more than 10,700 Jews, has seen reports of antisemitism increase throughout the week, according to council leader Eamonn O’Brien.

“What started as one or two isolated, relatively minor incidents has started to escalate,”

he said, with

Jewish residents “worried about what’s to come”.

Reports included people walking into businesses and asking employees if they were Jewish, and a kosher restaurant being egged by youths. The home secretary, Suella Braverman, recently issued a stark warning to demonstrators at pro-Palestine rallies, some of whom she claimed were involved in glorifying terrorism.

Comment

Around the world antisemitism is suddenly on the rise. Over the past week, Jews living in Germany’s capital Berlin have been waking up to a chilling sight — Stars of David sprayed on the front doors of their apartment blocks. Felix Klein, government commissioner for Jewish life in Germany, said the country’s Jews had been

“appalled by the antisemitism on display from Muslim groups and hard-left organisations”.

Figures from the police in London show that 218 antisemitic offences were recorded from 1 October to 18 October this year, compared with 15 in the same period last year.

Young Jewish people have stopped wearing items that may identify them as being Jewish, while others had received death threats and virulent antisemitic abuse. This will surely only get worse as Israel launches its ground war in Gaza. Hatred for God’s people will only increase. All nations will be gathered to Jerusalem to battle…

Bible Quote

And among these nations shalt thou [Jewish people] find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:  And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: (Deuteronomy 28:65-66)

 

Weekly World Watch, Andy Walton

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Preceding

Netanyahu says Israel is at war after Hamas launches multi-front assault

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