Protests against war in Israel include threats of violence, hateful messages toward Jews

WASHINGTON (TND) — Antisemitic language on signs, in chants and graffiti was spotted at pro-Palestine protests around the world over the weekend as people gathered to protest the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza while the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

It is the latest example in a surge of antisemitic threats, messages and other activity that has been observed since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel and resulting war. The issue has affected Jewish communities in cities across the country and on college campuses, where there have been threats of violence to places or students tied to the Jewish community.

Thousands of people gathered in Washington over the weekend to call for a ceasefire in the fighting and demand the U.S. stop supplying aid to Israel in the war that is entering its second month.

Crowds filled the streets at Freedom Plaza near the White House and marched around the area between speeches pushing for a ceasefire. Tensions ran high at some points, with some signs and speakers accusing Israel of genocide and chants of “from the river to the sea,” which is interpreted by some as a call to wipe out Israel.

“Disturbing scenes from the pro-Palestinian march in Washington with a protester carrying a sign equating the Star of David with a Nazi swastika. This is blatant Jew-hatred,” the American Jewish Committee said in a post on X. Israel's embassy posted images of graffiti near its building in Washington with similar messages.

Antisemitic or violent messages toward Israel were also spotted in various places around the city. A building was tagged with messages reading “Death to Israel” and “Glory 2 the Martyrs.” The Anti-Defamation League took images of signs depicting a Nazi flag combined with Israel’s flag, with another reading “Zionism is a cancer to this planet.”

“Vandalism, destruction of property — people should be charged and arrested for this kind of vandalism. Graffiti over Andrew Jackson and Lafayette statue and Lafayette Park, signs to decolonize America, trash everywhere. You can see where they tried to breach the gate of the White House. Just really no respect,” he said. “It’s the elimination of Israel, all those signs and it is antisemitism on full display. They don't even try to hide it.”

Preliminary data from the ADL found in the few weeks following the Oct. 7 attack, there was a nearly 400% increase in reported incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault. FBI director Christopher Wray told Congress that antisemitism is a threat “that is reaching, in some ways, sort of historic levels.”

“In fact, our statistics would indicate that for a group that represents only about 2.4% of the American public, they account for something like 60% of all religious-based hate crimes,” Wray said.

There were similar protests in other parts of the world, including London, Berlin and France that turned violent or coincided with attacks.

A Jewish woman in France was stabbed on Saturday after having someone knock on her door, according to reports. A swastika was also found painted on her door. Eleven people were arrested at a rally in London, including one person who is facing terrorism charges for a sign that could incite hatred, Metropolitan Police said over the weekend. One thousand police officers were on hand in Berlin as thousands of protesters gathered in the city to ensure things didn’t get out of hand after previous protests turned violent.

The protests continued in the U.S. into Monday, where hundreds of people went to the Port of Tacoma in Washington state in an effort to block what they believe is a shipment of weapons and military equipment for Israel.

Signs outside the port read “no aid for Israel” and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

"We have a lot of people coming down to support Palestinian liberation, and it's wonderful," protestor Bissan Barghouti told KOMO on Monday before explaining the group's mission. "What we are doing is we are actually stopping a weapon shipment from a military reserve boat that came from Oakland, is docking in Tacoma, planning to take the cargo with it from Tacoma to Israel. So essentially, perpetuating genocide. So that is the boat we are blocking."