In a week marked by escalating violence against Jewish communities, a string of targeted attacks in Colorado, Washington, D.C., Paris, and London has amplified a growing sense of fear and abandonment among Jews worldwide. These incidents—ranging from firebombs to defacement of Holocaust memorials—underscore what many see as a dangerous new chapter in antisemitic aggression.
In Colorado, a Molotov cocktail was hurled at a group of Jews peacefully marching to raise awareness for hostages held by Hamas. The attacker reportedly shouted, “How many children have you killed?” and “We need to end Zionists” as he targeted Holocaust survivors and children. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., two Israeli embassy staff members were fatally shot in what authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime. Elsewhere in Paris, the city’s Holocaust museum was vandalized, and in London, a Jewish-owned business was defaced with red paint and had its windows shattered.
Although each attack occurred in a different country, Jewish communities feel a chilling connection between them. “Every Jew I know understands how deeply they’re connected,” wrote Hen Mazzig, an Israeli-born writer and activist, in a powerful opinion piece. “This is what Jewish anxiety looks like in 2025.”
Mazzig, whose family fled persecution in Iraq and North Africa, argues that this fear is not simply a reaction to isolated extremists but rather the culmination of a broader climate of misinformation, radicalization, and indifference. He points to viral social media claims—like a widely circulated but false report that 14,000 Palestinian babies would be starved in 48 hours—that have inflamed tensions and driven individuals to violence. Though later debunked by fact-checkers, the damage was already done.
“Words matter,” Mazzig emphasized. “Globalize the intifada. End Zionists. By any means necessary. These are not abstract ideas. They are instructions.” He warned that slogans can quickly transform into an ideology that rationalizes violence. “Not long ago, we were told to ‘believe all victims.’ But today, Jewish victims are asked to justify their pain.”
Mazzig, who has long advocated for peace and coexistence, described how Jewish identity has become a target. “If you are Jewish and visible, you are a target,” he wrote, lamenting that attacks often go underreported or are downplayed by media outlets. “The Colorado firebomb wasn’t covered until hours later. Jewish blood doesn’t trend. Those who claim to fight hate won’t name this one.”
The recent violence highlights a complex challenge: distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and the blanket demonization of Jews as a collective. For many, that line has blurred. “We’re told: this isn’t antisemitism; it’s anti-Zionism,” Mazzig said. “And yet, somehow, the flames always find the flesh of Jews.”
The attacks have left Jewish communities questioning their safety and their place in societies that often struggle—or refuse—to acknowledge the threat. The anxiety is tangible, Mazzig writes, manifesting in the way Jews now pause before entering a synagogue or wonder if speaking Hebrew in public might make them a target.
As hate speech online and offline intensifies, experts warn that words can quickly become actions. Holocaust survivors, children, and community members have borne the brunt of this violence, reminding the world that antisemitism remains a stubborn, global force.
For Jewish communities seeking solace and security, the plea is simple: to be seen, to be acknowledged, and to be protected as human beings. “If we still can’t name what led us here,” Mazzig concluded, “we’ll be even less prepared for what’s coming next.”
Why It Matters: These incidents highlight a disturbing rise in antisemitic violence across different countries, driven in part by misinformation and online radicalization. Experts stress that combating hate requires not only condemning the violence itself but also addressing the rhetoric and disinformation that fuel it. As Jewish communities continue to grapple with fear and a sense of abandonment, the world must ask: are we prepared to confront this threat head-on—or will we continue to look away?
