Weekend incidents illuminate rising antisemitism on European streets
Two troubling antisemitic assaults targeting Orthodox Jews were documented over the weekend in two European capitals, Paris and London. The incidents have reignited concerns about safety and hate crimes in major urban centers and prompted calls for stronger protections for Jewish communities on the continent.
Paris assault: a man leaving the mikveh targeted at 7:30 am
In the Île-de-France region that surrounds Paris, a Jewish man who was on his way home from the mikveh was aggressively attacked from behind early Saturday morning, around 7:30. The victim, who wears a kippah, says he was punched in the face and then subjected to a barrage of verbal abuse lasting several minutes before the assailant fled. He could not identify the attacker’s face, but described him as appearing to be of North African origin. In an effort to protect community safety, the man did not disclose the precise locality of the incident. The attack was reported by i24 France and has sparked reaction within the local Jewish community, which is closely monitoring security threats in the region.
London assault: a 77-year-old rabbi attacked outside a pharmacy
In London, a second incident unfolded in the city’s Stamford Hill neighborhood, home to a sizable Orthodox Jewish community. A 77-year-old rabbi was assaulted outside a pharmacy. A video shared by the Shomrim security patrol organization shows a person throwing poultry bones toward the elderly man while directing insults at him. Authorities in the United Kingdom have opened an investigation into the incident, and the case is being treated as a matter of public safety and potential antisemitic hostility. The Shomrim group has expressed its support for the investigation and emphasized the importance of safeguarding faith communities in the capital.
Context: a concerning pattern of antisemitic incidents in Europe
The two episodes align with a broader pattern of antisemitic acts reported across European cities in recent years. Visible markers of Orthodox Jewish identity—such as distinctive dress or head coverings—can unfortunately make individuals more recognizable targets. Jewish rights groups and security organizations across Europe have repeatedly called on authorities to take decisive steps to prevent further escalation, protect synagogues and schools, and increase street-level protection for vulnerable communities.
Responses from authorities and communities
In both France and the United Kingdom, law enforcement agencies have pledged to investigate the attacks, cooperate with community security groups, and pursue leads that could deter future violence. Community leaders are urging continued vigilance, stronger policing in neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations, and sustained dialogue between police, Jewish organizations, and civil society to address antisemitism at its roots.
What comes next?
As Europe contends with reports of antisemitic aggression, advocates for Jewish safety stress the need for proactive measures: accurate reporting channels, rapid investigation, community outreach, and educational initiatives that counter stereotypes and hate. The weekend incidents in Paris and London serve as a reminder that safety in public spaces remains a shared responsibility, requiring clear commitments from authorities, communities, and civil society to counter hatred with resilience and lawfulness.
