United Nations Ambassador from Israel details encounters with heightened antisemitism within the organization, amid a global surge in such incidents
In the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, there has been a significant global rise in antisemitic incidents. This troubling trend, closely tied to the ensuing Gaza war and its wider geopolitical repercussions, has been documented in multiple regions, with various causes and responses that highlight a complex and concerning dynamic.
Immediately following October 7, organisations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the United States and counterparts in Western Europe (e.g., UK's Community Security Trust and France’s SPJC) reported sharp increases in antisemitic occurrences, including violent attacks against Jewish individuals and communities.
The surge is partly due to Hamas-Iran propaganda and hybrid warfare tactics. Iran and its proxies have utilised violence, disinformation, legal subversion, and diplomatic efforts to delegitimise Israel globally, which has also fuelled antisemitism. The conflict has been framed by some groups and media as a broader existential struggle involving Israel’s right to exist, leading to the spreading of antisemitic tropes and the "Nazification" of Israel and Jews worldwide.
Pro-Iran and Islamist protests have weaponised the conflict to incite and legitimise antisemitic hatred, sometimes merging with far-left activism, which further amplifies the hostility against Jewish communities. The psychological impact of the October 7 attacks, which involved mass killings and kidnappings by Hamas, has also contributed to heightened tensions and reactive violence against Jews globally.
Governmental and organisational actions have included increased monitoring and condemnation of antisemitic incidents. For example, in the United States, the Biden administration acknowledged and condemned the rise in hate crimes and Islamophobia linked to the conflict in early 2024. Jewish advocacy organisations worldwide have intensified their efforts to document, report, and combat antisemitic attacks and rhetoric.
Some countries have increased security around Jewish sites and communities, particularly in places that have seen direct attacks or vandalism. On an international level, there is ongoing debate and efforts in diplomatic and UN forums to address and de-escalate hate speech and violence fuelled by the conflict.
In the U.S., two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot near the Capitol, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was set on fire during Passover. A car exploded outside a synagogue in southern France. In many cases, incidents have doubled or even tripled, according to international watchdog groups.
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has voiced concern over the sharp escalation in antisemitism. However, Danon believes the Trump administration's approach to addressing antisemitism is effective, as the number of incidents has dropped.
In North Africa, the El Hamma synagogue in Tunisia was severely damaged during anti-Israel riots in October 2023. There were also violent incidents in Egypt, including the assassination of an Israeli-Canadian businessman in May 2024, claimed by a group citing retaliation for Gaza.
Antisemitic acts are not confined to the Middle East or Africa; Europe and North America have seen a rise in hate crimes and discriminatory acts fueled by pro-Hamas and anti-Israel sentiment that often spills over into antisemitism. Parallel to this, there has also been a concurrent spike in Islamophobic attacks, illustrating a broader intercommunal tension exacerbated by the conflict.
As the world grapples with this surge in antisemitism, it is crucial for governments, communities, and individuals to work together to combat hate speech and violence, promoting understanding, tolerance, and peace.
Education and self-development initiatives have grown in importance as a means of addressing the rise in antisemitic incidents following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. General news outlets and educational platforms are increasingly focusing on the significance of combating antisemitism, providing resources for recognizing and challenging such prejudice.
Moreover, in the context of politics, there is growing emphasis on the need for leaders and policymakers to take a firm stance against antisemitism and to foster a more inclusive and tolerant society. This includes efforts to address and de-escalate hate speech and violence, as well as ensuring the safety and security of communities that are targets of discrimination.
