The chairman of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians, US Congressman Eliot L. Engel, has called on European nations to provide security measures for their respective Jewish communities. His call came in the wake of increased anti-Semitic violence around Europe, which has in part been sparked by the current conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“I am deeply disturbed by the wave of anti-Semitic violence that has spread across Europe in recent days in response to Israel’s military activities in Gaza," Engel said, adding: "I respect the right of all citizens to protest peacefully, but holding Jews, or anyone else for that matter, responsible for a regional conflict that they have nothing to do with simply on the grounds of a shared religion with one of the warring sides is unacceptable.
“Although I am pleased that there have been statements condemning the recent violence, including the joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, Italy, and France, I remain fearful that words alone will not be sufficient to protect their respective Jewish communities from such xenophobic hatred. I therefore call upon the nations of Europe to continue to take whatever security measures may be necessary to ensure the safety of their Jewish citizens, and I urge them to continue to denounce all forms of anti-Semitism, both verbal and violent, that are so deeply offensive to the Jewish community," declared Engel.
