Paris, France – A kosher bakery, Le Bouillon, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris was vandalized overnight, with graffiti referencing Gaza appearing on its storefront. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the act as “barbaric and violent” and has demanded French authorities swiftly investigate and prosecute those responsible.
Simultaneously, Greece is bracing for a series of anti-Israel protests, beginning Wednesday with demonstrations coinciding with the docking of the MSC Cruises ship, the MSC Lirica, in Volos. Further protests are planned for Thursday evening along the Volos promenade. A nationwide “Day of Action for Gaza” is scheduled for Sunday, with over 25 demonstrations planned across Greece, including popular tourist destinations like Mykonos, santorini, and Crete, as well as Athens and Thessaloniki.
Organizers, including groups affiliated with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, aim to disrupt tourism perceived as supporting Israel. Demonstrations are primarily scheduled for afternoons and evenings in prominent locations such as ports, public squares, and archaeological sites, including the Ancient Agora of Athens. Protestors are specifically targeting cruise ships and businesses with ties to Israel.
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry, led by Minister Amichai Chikli, has issued a travel warning for Israeli citizens, particularly those visiting popular tourist destinations in Europe, citing heightened security risks. The Ministry is coordinating with Israeli embassies and consulates to monitor the situation and provide assistance to travelers.These incidents reflect a broader trend of escalating anti-Israel sentiment globally, fueled in part by social media and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The incidents have prompted discussions regarding increased security for Jewish and Israeli-owned businesses abroad and the need for stronger diplomatic responses to counter what officials describe as a rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Israel actions. The Community Security service (CSS) in France is increasing patrols around Jewish institutions in Paris.
Context: Rising Global Tensions The recent events occur against a backdrop of heightened international tensions stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, wich began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack on Israel resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of approximately 240 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza has resulted in a significant number of Palestinian casualties and a humanitarian crisis. These events have triggered widespread protests and demonstrations worldwide, frequently enough accompanied by expressions of both pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel sentiment. The European Union has seen a marked increase in reported antisemitic incidents since the start of the conflict.
