RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – On the same weekend that Hamas attacked Israel, a synagogue in central Madrid was vandalised with anti-Semitic graffiti.
The graffiti, which read ‘Free Palestine’ next to a crossed-out Star of David, was removed hours later.
The Platform Against Antisemitism condemned the incident, but declined to give the exact location of the synagogue in order to prevent further acts.
As the conflict has spilled over into Europe with a series of demonstrations in several capitals, protection for the Jewish community has been stepped up.
Constant surveillance in Barcelona
The Barcelona police have flanked the building of the Israeli community in the Catalan city.
Anyone who tries to approach has to pass through a police checkpoint, and then a second checkpoint where they are asked if they are carrying weapons.
The community itself has cancelled activities for young people planned for the coming weeks.
The Madrid synagogue was not the only one to be vandalised on the Iberian peninsula.
On Wednesday, graffiti reading “Free Palestine” and “End Israeli Apartheid” was found on the Mekor Haim Kadoorie synagogue in the Portuguese city of Porto.
The graffiti appeared just hours after a pro-Israel demonstration in the city.
More than 20 arrests in France
France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish community and since Saturday the country has recorded around 50 anti-Semitic acts.
The government, which wants to ‘avoid an escalation’, has announced that more than 20 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents, including three foreigners who will be expelled from the country.
Some 10,000 gendarmes and police are currently guarding over 500 “sensitive” sites, such as synagogues and schools, according to the Interior Ministry.
France is also home to Europe’s largest Muslim community, but the government had vetoed the demonstration because it was ‘likely to cause public disorder’.
The situation has caused a political rift in the country. Emmanuel Macron and his government have condemned the Hamas attack, while Jean-Luc Melenchon’s left has compared it to the Israeli occupation.
UK seeks to quell support for Hamas
Three million pounds (€3,471,316) has been pledged by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to protect Jewish schools and synagogues.
The Jewish community has said that reports of anti-Semitic incidents have risen by 324% since this weekend’s Hamas attack, compared with the same period last year.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place in the British capital, but Home Office minister Suella Braverman has called for ‘the full force of the law’ to be used to quell pro-Hamas rallies after videos emerged of people appearing to celebrate the attack on Israel.