“We are deeply concerned for the safety of British Jews. We are grateful for the allyship of those who have spoken up for us but alarmed by the incitement that drowns it out,” said Britain’s Campaign Against Antisemitism CEO Gideon Falter.

In Britain, over the weekend, a slew of incidents impacting the Jewish community have left British Jews feeling extremely afraid. Protesters staged demonstrations against Israel across several European cities in the wake of the conflict with Hamas.

Among the incidents in London, a demonstration on Whitehall featured Hamas-style headbands and calls for Jews to “go back to the s**tty countries you came from.”

A convoy of cars draped in Palestinian flags with a megaphone blaring antisemitic abuse has been caught on film touring Jewish areas of north London. Onlookers could be heard gasping with fear as one man shouted “F**k the Jews, rape their daughters,” the Jewish Chronicle reported.

Some of the passengers shouted: “Free Palestine”, followed immediately by the abuse.

In response to the convoy, British Prime Minister tweeted: “There is no place for antisemitism in our society. Ahead of Shavuot, I stand with Britain’s Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of a video appearing to show antisemitic language being shouted from a convoy of cars in the St John’s Wood area this afternoon. Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries to identify those responsible. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated”.

Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), said: “Today’s convoy and demonstration were utterly predictable and preventable. They have been advertised for a week. Jews have had to witness the shocking reality that in 2021, people can drive through the capital of our country calling for our daughters to be raped, with nobody in sight to protect us or take action.’’

“There is a direct line that can be drawn between the terrifying scenes this weekend and the inflammatory language used this week by politicians and some journalists,’’ he said.

“We are deeply concerned for the safety of British Jews. We are grateful for the allyship of those who have spoken up for us but alarmed by the incitement that drowns it out,” Falter added.

Also in London, a group of protesters were filmed chanting about the seventh century battle of Khaybar, when local Jewish residents were killed and expelled.“Jews, remember the battle of Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning,” they said according to a translation by the Campaign Against Antisemitism. CAA volunteers also reported seeing a Hamas scarf and several banners comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, including a sign with a swastika juxtaposed against a Star of David.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity organisation dedicated to the safety of the Jewish community, said that there was a heightened CST presence in any case because of the two day Shavuot holiday, which began on Sunday night.“We understand that this may have been very alarming to view. People should be vigilant, calm, but if they experience anything aggressive, then please report it,” the group said.

In Germany, a wave of anti-Jewish attacks and rallies have grown so intense that the government has been forced to speak out.  They included attacks against synagogues and the burning of Israel flags.

In Berlin demonstrators hurled fireworks, bottles and stones at police during a 2,500-strong pro-Palestinian rally. Chants included “Israel the Child Murderer“ and  “Israel to Murderer of Women.”

Speaking in the Bundestag, the government’s chief spokespeson Steffen Seibert said that while people have a right to demonstrate, “those who use such protests to shout out their hatred of Jews are abusing their right to demonstrate…they will not be tolerated by our democracy.”

“Whoever attacks Jewish institutions in Germany shows that it is not about criticism of a state and a government, but about aggression and hatred against a religion and those who belong to it,’’ he added.

In Berlin demonstrators hurled fireworks, bottles and stones at police during a 2,500-strong pro-Palestinian rally. Chants included “Israel the Child Murderer“ and  “Israel to Murderer of Women.”

The Central Council of Jews in Germany has called for stepped-up protection for Jewish institutions in the country.

“There must be no tolerance for attacks against synagogues in our country,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Funke media group, pledging “unwavering security” for synagogues.

In Brussels, a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday in the city center turned antisemitic. The demonstrators shouted anti-Jewish slogans, burned Israeli flags to the tune of “Allah Akbar” and waved flags of terrorist Hamas group.

Addressing several hundred people who rallied in front of the Israeli embassy on Sunday to express solidarity with Israel, Israeli ambassador to Belgium, Emmanuel Nahshon, said: “Unlike the Islamo-fascist demonstration Saturday in the heart of Brussels, you will not hear any negative slogans or messages here, no hateful messages. Only a message from people who want peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but who are also willing to support and defend Israel against the attacks of the past days. Israel will continue to attack Hamas’ installations for as long as necessary, until they are completely destroyed.”

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, leader of the European Jwish Association,  has asked heads of state across Europe to step up security around Jewish institutions and to increase their vigilance and monitoring of known extremist networks in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.