"Never Again" in question: Europe grapples with growing antisemitism Opinion by Euronews

Two years after the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Europe is confronting a surge in antisemitism that experts warn could define the continent’s moral and civic trajectory if left unchecked, Dr Moshe Kantor writes in its exclusive for Euronews.

Last week in Venice, a family of Orthodox Jews was physically attacked during an evening stroll, with assailants shouting “Free Palestine,” spitting on the family, and leaving them shaken. Incidents like this are no longer rare: attacks on Jewish individuals and communities have become an almost daily reality across Europe.

From French Jewish children being forced off flights returning from summer camps, to synagogues defaced with threatening graffiti or even set on fire, and Jewish students facing harassment on university campuses, Jews in Europe are experiencing unprecedented levels of hostility. According to experts, antisemitic incidents have doubled or even tripled in many cities over the past two years.

The most recent wave of antisemitism traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people, abducting hundreds — including toddlers and Holocaust survivors — and leaving a trail of death, rape, and destruction. It was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, and the world initially responded with outrage and solidarity.

However, instead of enduring support, Jewish communities across Europe have faced escalating attacks, prompting many families to hide their identities, reconsider school choices, or even question whether their future lies in Europe.

Experts emphasise that antisemitism is no longer confined to society’s fringes. It now appears in media discourse, university lecture halls, street demonstrations, and even the rhetoric of political leaders. Left-wing antisemitism, once limited to far-left circles, has become more widespread among liberal elites. Under the guise of “criticism of Israel,” Jews are often held collectively responsible for a conflict thousands of kilometres away, reviving centuries-old, dangerous tropes.

In some cases, antisemitism receives implicit or explicit legitimisation from state leaders, with comparisons of Israel to Nazis or unique censure of the country, while in other nations, authorities have obstructed Jewish leadership efforts to protect their communities.

Dr Moshe Kantor warned that Europe risks repeating past mistakes: “The Holocaust was Europe’s darkest hour, and its aftermath was marked by the vow of ‘Never Again.’ Today, too many Jews fear that those words have lost their meaning, replaced by the grim reality of ‘Again and again.’”

Kantor stressed that Jewish communities are integral to Europe’s cultural, scientific, and intellectual life. The erosion of Jewish life due to antisemitism would constitute not just a moral failure but also a societal and cultural loss.

“History shows us that antisemitism is never just a Jewish problem,” Kantor wrote. “Where Jews are scapegoated, democracy weakens, and extremism thrives. The health of Jewish life in Europe is a barometer of Europe’s own moral and civic health.”

Two years after October 7, antisemitism is no longer abstract rhetoric: it has escalated into physical violence, destabilising communities and threatening democratic norms. While Jews have historically demonstrated resilience, Kantor warns that endurance should not be mistaken for indifference. If Jewish communities conclude that Europe is unsafe, the loss will extend beyond the Jewish population—it will be Europe’s loss as well.

“The question before Europe today is stark,” Kantor concluded. “Will we act decisively to confront antisemitism, or will we look back one day and recognise, too late, another missed warning? The choice is ours, and history will judge us by it.”

By Tamilla Hasanova