THANKS ERICA ZEMAN !
Erica Zeman
Europe’s Antisemitism and Neo- Nazism in European Cities
Europe’s antisemitism - a throw-back into the confusion of the Middle Ages!
As we look at the tropes of antisemitism in European Cities, it is recognisable that the hate speeches against us, the Jewish people, are the unifying factors between people, who are choosing to regress mentally and emotionally to the Middle Ages.
Most recently in July 2025, the students at Portugal’s Coimbra University harassed the Israeli PhD student Bar Harel as he had published a report describing the overt Antisemitism in and around the Institution. On a day one of his arrival, he saw swastikas, antisemitic stickers and slurs written bluntly on the walls of this educational building. Where is the link to the Middle Ages you might ask? Humiliating comments such as ‘know your parasites- ‘showing the Israeli flag as a ‘Luna tick’ next to dog and wood ticks ‘or ‘You don’t debate with Zionists. You just spit into their faces,’ or ‘Can we start making these Israeli baby killers uncomfortable” These are Antisemitic caliphate hate declarations. Medieval times demanded of each Jewish person to walk the opposite side of the road, to be on the receiving end of slapping, spitting, bullying and death if the Christian mob so desired. Arab caliphates displayed the same malicious attitude and behaviour less regularly, but equally severe.
Not one of Bar Harel’s professors acknowledged the vicious antisemitic and anti- Israel abuse, neither did they express any regret towards Bar Harel in permitting these atrocities. Just the opposite; Hezbollah is praised as heroic in their slaughter of more than 1,200 Jewish people, while Cristina Vieira commented in her function as Ombudsman ‘that the student needs medical treatment and that he can and may cause us problems.’ Her comment comes straight from a Third Reich mindset by declaring undesirable people in need of ‘medical treatment’. Another professor told Bar Harel that he doesn’t deserve to sleep, which is a well- known torture method. Israel’s former hostages kept for more than two years in Gaza tunnels can testify of this cruelty committed by Hamas terrorists. As founding member of the Coimbra Group, which links 42 Universities together as Research centres, the University of Coimbra has relinquished its pronounced standards for, I quote; ‘internationalisation, academic collaboration, excellence in learning and research, and service to the society… creating special academic and cultural ties…and by developing best-practise’.
Portugal’s Jewish Community in Porto has suffered from antisemitism in the media and social media channels since the 7th October 2023. Gabriel Sanderowicz observed that left wing politician’s antisemitic remarks put the community in a vulnerable place. So far, the community had not been protected by the police, and any security measures were established by the Jewish Community itself. Mr. Sanderowicz also pondered on the fact that although the Jewish Community has assisted Porto in various charity programs, there were never signs of recognition and gratitude. Again, being ungrateful towards Jewish people has its roots in the Middle Ages as part of exploiting communities and norm of a state-driven ambition. Mr. Sanderowicz regrets the fact that the European Commission sidelines Porto’s Jewish Community. He emphasised the need of educating the younger generation. In his experience, the lack of knowing Portugal’s Jewish History limits any understanding and coherence with the non-Jewish world
Madrid ‘s Queen Sofia National Museum of Art asked three elderly Israeli women in February 2026 to leave the building as other visitors felt ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘disturbed’ at their presence. These other guests were not rebuked for their antisemitic slanders of calling the three ladies ‘Genocide, ‘Child killer’ and ‘Murderers’. One of the ladies, a Holocaust Survivor, had to endure the resemblance of the Nazi Regime’s pre-war agitation. The outrageous behaviour of people when seeing either a Star of David or an Israeli Flag did not evoke the staff members’ courage to demand of the culprits to leave the place. Yet Spain denies being antisemitic, although Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the legal process of nine measures against Israel. These bans include the prohibition of Israel ‘s plan to inhabit Judea and Samaria, the use of Spanish ports in connection with war material; the shipment and planes transferring weapons to Israel. Although Spain prospered hugely with Israel’s weapon contracts and does benefit profoundly in its continuous trade with Israel, Mr. Sanchez insists that the Spanish troops in Rapha, Southern Gaza will be strengthened as he acts with these restrictions and measurements against Israel in the framework of Spanish Sovereignty. Europe’s approach towards Israel, with regards to its governmental responsibility to defend itself, is abhorrent. A defenceless Israel fits the habitual mindset of European antisemitism traditionally better. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that’ the Western world’s antisemitism and whatever they say against us has not changed, but what has changed is that Israel is able to defend itself’.
In London, on the 26th of February 2026, Connect UK wrote today that many victims of antisemitic verbal and physical abuse throughout the UK gathered today in the House of Commons to testify about their experiences to MPs. An example is given from a mother describing the relentless antisemitic harassment against her fourteen-year-old son during school hours; students would draw a swastika and shove it into the Jewish boy’s face. He was called ‘Yid’ and ‘Jewish scum’. The headmaster advised the traumatized teenager after several other obscenities against him ‘to be more resilient’. Similar to Bar Harel’s experience, the authorities meant to protect every student from being bullied, shirk away from their responsibility when it comes to Jewish children, young adults and in being accountable to the Jewish community. The incomprehensible accusation of the former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn that the IDF ‘harvested the inner organs from dead Palestinian women’ is the evidence of the credulity even in a politician, yet who is known for his decades old antisemitic stance.
In North Manchester Walid Saadaoui was caught by Counter-Terrorism Police in his preparation to commit mass murder during a march against Antisemitism in Manchester City Centre. From there he planned to continue his shooting ride to the north of Manchester in where there is a large Jewish Community. His brother Bilel Saadaoui was charged of withholding information from the judicial authorities. Partner in Crime was also Amar Husseini, who organised a large-scale weapon purchase. B. Saadaoui and Husseini gave as reason for their attempts to further an Islamic State. The caliphates of Islamic State are in fact the brutal vision of ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood’s aim is to regain lost European land while expanding as a world domineering power.
During the 6th -16 Century, Jewish people and Christians under this regime were at the mercy of the ruling caliph. In November 2025, a supporter of the Islamic State preached in Berlin to the German public demanding that it is their obligation to follow Hitler’s legacy to call out a caliphate. Watching this filmed demonstration during my research, it was shockingly obvious that the speaker imitated Hitler’s screaming voice. Muslim Interactive was banned, their social media website confiscated and declared as being unconstitutional.
In Munich, on the 9th of February 2026, the Jewish community was threatened by a bullet sender’s message ‘that he would shoot all Jews’. Community Deputy leader Yehoshua Hamiel expressed his concerns about the escalating number of daily antisemitic abuses. Although the police are on the alert and he works closely with their teams, the abnormality of constant antisemitic threats has become normal for Munich’s Jewish Community. Schools, synagogues and community centres are under constant security surveillance.
Last year’s decision of the Munich’s city officials to allow the Palestine Speaks group come near the Jacob Synagogue was defeated by Munich’s citizens, who love the Jewish Community and its institutions. Forming themselves like a shield around the synagogue, their message was loud and clear that there is never again a repetition of the past.
