Protests across Europe and US at Israel’s Gaza action

Demonstrators against Israeli action in Gaza gather in France, Germany and America while Jewish communities around the world defend Israel – it’s all there in our world round-up

France

A firebomb was thrown at a synagogue near Paris on Friday night as Israel’s offensive against Hamas. No-one was hurt in the attack, which resulted only in light damage. It is the second anti-Semitic attack since the operation began, with a Jewish teenage girl attacked with pepper spray days earlier.

Australia

A leader of the Jewish community in Sydney has been heavily criticised by the Australian premier for accusing Hamas of war crimes. Vic Alhadeff, chief executive of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, made no mention of Palestinian deaths, provoking anger from government ministers.

Morocco

Casablanca’s rabbi has been beaten up by a man angry at Israel’s Gaza operation. Rabbi Moshe Ohayon was attacked on Friday night as he walked to synagogue. He suffered a broken nose and broken ribs. The city’s Jewish community has called for increased security around Jewish institutions.

Germany

Over 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Berlin to oppose Israel’s assault on Gaza, calling for an end to hostilities. The rally turned violent at one point, with rocks thrown at police and ten arrested. A pro-Israeli counter-demonstration at Wittenberg Platz urged the city’s residents to ‘Fight Terror, Support Israel.’

United States

Jewish groups have led anti-Israel protests in 15 cities across American in recent days, with one group in particular – Jewish Voice for Peace – acting as ringleader in Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco, among others. Others have organised anti-Israel poster campaigns.

The Netherlands

Dozens of demonstrators gathered near The Hague to shout menacing slogans about Jews. The rally, in Schilderswijk last week, heard participants shout: ‘Jews, remember Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning.’ It refers to a seventh-century massacre and expulsion in modern-day Saudi Arabia.