Anti-Israel protests spread throughout Europe

(JNS.org) A number of anti-Israel protests have continued throughout Europe, with several of them turning violent, drawing condemnation and shock from European Jewish leaders. 

In Germany, several anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents have been escalating, with protests occurring daily throughout the country. At some protests, anti-Semitic slogans such as "gas the Jews" have been reported. 

According to reports, the protesters are largely composed of Muslim immigrants to Germany and neo-Nazi groups. 

In response to the violence and protests in Germany, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Dieter Graumann, cited the "explosion of evil and violent hatred of Jews, which shocks and dismays all of us."

"We would never in our lives have thought it possible anymore that anti-Semitic views of the nastiest and most primitive kind can be chanted on German streets," Graumann said.

In France, which saw its third anti-Israel protest in a week turn violent, pro-Palestinian protesters attacked Jewish shops and other businesses in the Jewish Parisian suburb of Sarcelles on Monday, AFP reported.

"It is unacceptable to target synagogues or shops simply because they are managed by Jews," French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.

Thousands of others also demonstrated against Israel in Vienna, Amsterdam, and several other European cities. Additionally, Gerry Adams, the leader of Ireland's nationalist Sinn Fein party called on Irish legislators to "stand in solidarity" with the Palestinians during a session of parliament, the Irish Times reported. Adams also called on the Irish government to expel the Israeli ambassador to the country.