“I think it is wise to remove the door mezuzah (a scroll with two verses from the Torah, usually inside a small rectangular box attached to the right frame of the doors of Jewish homes), at least for a while. It’s dangerous right nowespecially considering that we live on a ground floor. “It’s better that they can’t identify us as Jews because of anything that might happen.”
I am not revealing any secrets when I say that this dialogue, which some unsuspecting person could date to the Europe of the late 1930s or early 1940s, during the heyday of Nazi Germany, has occurred in the 21st century, in the modern and cosmopolitan city of Barcelonaafter the massacre carried out by the Hamas terrorist group on October 7, 2023 in southern Israel. This example graphically illustrates the latent feeling of insecurity with which, since that fateful day, thousands of Jews have lived in various cities in Europe, in a context of growing anti-Semitism that has reached levels that, years ago, seemed unsuspected. This situation revives in many of us the fear that some of the darkest episodes in Jewish history, far from being behind us, could come back to hit us again.
A clear reflection of this revival of violence against Jews is what happened recently in Amsterdamwhere, after the match played between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv within the framework of the UEFA Europa League, violent attacks and persecutions against the Israeli bias were unleashed. This episode has once again brought to the fore the growing wave of anti-Semitism that affects many European countries, and which, over time, manifests itself in a more open and uninhibited way. Anti-Semitic violence, now almost normalized in many public spaces, appears to be supported by a complicit inaction by the authorities, whose lukewarm and weak responses—often motivated by the need to preserve certain political appearances—have allowed violent radical groups to expand their influence. Hate without consequences. What was once a latent problem has now become a palpable threat.
A revealing example of this situation is the fact that, after the serious incidents in Amsterdam, those responsible have barely been arrested and the participants in this pogrom are walking free again, without facing any sanctions. This lack of forceful responses from law enforcement only increases the feeling of impunity that anti-Semitic groups feel increasingly strongly.
The double standard by which these episodes are measured is alarming. While an Israeli flag on a stand is considered a provocation, an unacceptable gesture, a gigantic banner displayed by Paris Saint Germain fans demanding a “Free Palestine”, nor the chants calling for the disappearance of the Jewish State, are not considered equally provocative. , like the infamous motto “From the river to the sea…”. These radical expressions, which today seem to be part of the common discourse in certain sectors, reflect a growing normalization of anti-Semitic attitudes in European public discourse.
This phenomenon is not isolated; On the contrary, it responds to a dangerous tendency towards the normalization of absolutely abnormal and irrational situations. History seems to repeat itself, and human beings, far from learning from their mistakes, seem to be condemned to commit them once again. Today, in many European countries, supporters of Israeli teams or national teams They must fear for their lives if they decide to attend a sporting event reaching the point of having to attend these events without any clothing that can distinguish them as such, at the same time that students who belong to the Jewish school network are forced to go to classes around the world surrounded not only by cement piles which we seem to have become accustomed to, but of an increasingly visible police deployment to protect them. This normalization of violence and intimidation towards Jews, far from being seen as an aberration, is tolerated and even justified by political and social sectors that remain silent in the face of growing hostility.
In fact, many Jewish families in Europe, upon leaving their homes, find anti-Semitic graffiti on the walls, which remains for days, and even weeks, without being erased. This lack of action is a reflection of a complacent attitude, which allows hatred to grow unchecked. The same thing happens with many politicians, who Today they feel entitled to distil their anti-Semitism without consequencesfueling conspiracy theories that are reminiscent of times of yore, where conspiracy theories flourished with which they accused the Jews of being responsible for all the evils in the world.
Today, as Jews in Europe, we feel incredulous witnesses of how some groups, who should be defending fundamental human rights, cry for a ceasefire, but they do so without condemning the barbaric acts perpetrated by Hamaswhich has been holding Israeli citizens hostage under inhumane conditions for more than a year. Furthermore, they fly “Not one less” flags while ignoring the mass sexual violations and atrocities committed during the October 7 massacre. It is increasingly common to observe cases such as those that occurred in the city of Barcelona where union organizations and student centers supported by political parties and Leftist organizations use students as a tool of political propaganda, calling for mobilization days or even granting to secondary school students, excused absences so that they can attend demonstrations in support of the Palestinian cause. All this, while Jewish students, who attend public educational centers, must face a climate of hostility and violence in which, many times, they are forced to hide their Jewish identity or remain silent for fear of being singled out or attacked.
Most alarming is the growing number of young Jews who feel the need to hide their identity in extracurricular activities. Some have even gone so far as to avoid mentioning the name of their school for fear of being harassed or attacked. This palpable fear is today, for many, a reflection of a climate of insecurity that goes beyond isolated incidents, and that extends to all areas of the daily life of Jews in Europe.
A few days ago, following the incidents in Amsterdam, the Israeli news site N12 published an article quoting the Israeli National Security Council, pointing out that more than 40 countries have issued medium or high level warnings regarding the risk they face. Israeli citizens wishing to visit certain countries due to increasing violence. In Europe, France, Germany and Great Britain lead this disastrous ranking, accompanied by countries in Asia and Africa such as Thailand. Furthermore, the research highlights a significant increase in the circulation of anti-Semitic posts on social media, along with an exponential 400% increase in anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the war. These data are alarming, and reflect the dangerous rise of uncontrolled anti-Semitism that is no longer limited to isolated expressions, but is taking shape as a much broader social and political current.
The resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored. Recent incidents of violence, the authorities’ permissiveness in the face of acts of hate, and the normalization of anti-Semitic behavior on the streets and in institutions are an alarming warning that history is not always behind us, but can repeat itself if no action is taken. . The fear felt by thousands of European Jews, who see their identity endangered in their daily lives, is a reminder that hatred knows no borders and that silence in the face of intolerance only fuels it.
Today more than ever, it is necessary for governments, institutions and society as a whole to stand up against anti-Semitism in all its forms. Anti-Semitism, like other forms of hatred, not only threatens the communities directly affected, but also puts at risk the very fabric of democratic coexistence in Europe. Fighting it requires a collective commitment that is not limited to empty words, but rather translates into concrete actions and a firm defense of human rights and the dignity of all citizens.
This fight must be backed by a broader commitmentthat does not allow anti-Semitism to continue growing or be masked under the current political justifications. History has taught us that indifference to hate has devastating consequences. Now is the time to act, before the scars of the past open again.
*Damián Weber, 41 years old, married and father of 2 children. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An educator with more than 17 years of experience in Jewish education, he has held various roles as a Primary and Secondary teacher, primary level coordinator and member of management teams in institutions in Europe and Latin America. Graduate in History with a specialization in History of the People of Israel from the Open University of Israel. He is currently Director of Jewish Studies at the Jewish School of Barcelona.
