United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a strong condemnation on August 4 of a major increase in anti-Semitic acts worldwide since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, Israel’s attempt to end Hamas’ rocket fire and terror attacks.

“Ban Ki-moon has deplored the recent upsurge in anti-Semitic attacks, particularly in Europe, in connection with protests concerning the escalation of violence in Gaza… The Secretary-General emphasizes that the conflict in the Middle East must not constitute a pretext for prejudice that could affect social peace and harmony anywhere…”

Cities such as New York, Paris, Malmo, Madrid and many others have witnessed anti-Semitic incidents in the last month. Jewish businesses and synagogues in Germany were firebombed and attacked. Many of these attacks come during or immediately after pro-Palestinian protests. Numerous demonstrations are patently anti-Semitic, including incitement and chants such as “Heil Hitler.”

“Across Europe, the conflict in Gaza is generating a broader backlash against Jews, as threats, hate speech and even violent attacks proliferate in several countries. Most surprising perhaps, a wave of incidents has washed over Germany, where atonement for the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes is a bedrock of the modern society.”

In Kingston, close to London, a sign was posted on a synagogue door saying “child murderers.” This was not the first or worse anti-Semitic incident in the UK.

“The Community Security Trust have recorded 130 attacks on British Jews since the start of the Middle East conflict on July 8…”

Violent attacks also occurred in Malmo, Sweden:

“Malmo’s Jews has (sic) been subjected to an increasing number of anti-Semitic crimes and attacks.”

[Image: Dorit Fishman / The Israel Project]