BRUSSELS, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A perceived increase in anti-Semitic incidents across Europe was condemned Friday by a non-governmental anti-racism group.
Violence in Gaza is blamed for new anti-Semitic graffiti and flyers visible around European cities. A Liege, Belgium, restaurant owner installed a sign indicating dogs were welcome but Jews were not, according to the Lyon, France, news agency Euronews.
"This spike in anti-Semitism across Europe is simply unacceptable. A fight for justice -- in this case support for the Palestinian cause -- is entirely legitimate but cannot succeed by perpetrating racist acts and denying the rights to security and protection of European Jews," said Sarah Isal, chairwoman of the Brussels-based European Network Against Racism (ENAR).
Britain's Community Security Trust, which is concerned with Jewish safety and security, noted 130 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in Britain in July, and bombings of synagogues and cultural centers in Germany and Belgium have been reported.
An ENAR statement said, "This situation is provoking a climate of fear among Jewish communities in Europe. Many are renouncing their visibility in public spaces for fear of retaliation. Jewish organizations and representatives -- including the most progressive -- are receiving threats and are under police protection."
