Antisemitism during the 2026 Iran war

The Combat Antisemitism Movement --- which has been criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.^[3][4] --- claims to have documented an increase in 34% in global antisemitism in the week following the beginning of the war. The report indicated that close to half of those cases (73 out of 154) were directly tied to the war. These included threats, violence, and conspiracy theories blaming Jews, especially Israelis, for the war.^[1][2]

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On 9 March 2026, the Synagogue de Liège was damaged by an explosion. While no one was hurt, windows of the synagogue and a nearby building were damaged.^[5][6] Authorities started a federal investigation into what they characterized as an antisemitic incident. Liège mayor Willy Demeyer described the blast as an antisemitic act and stated, “We cannot allow foreign conflicts to be imported into our city.”^[7][8]

On 24 March 2026, a car was set on fire in Antwerp’s Jewish quarter, in what Belgian authorities suspect to be an antisemitic attack. Two under-age adults were arrested. While an Iran‑aligned militant collective called Harakat Ashab al‑Yamin al‑Islamia claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities are still investigating.^[9][10][11]

On 10 April 2026, unidentified individuals threw suspected pyrotechnic devices into an Israeli restaurant in Munich, shattering windows and causing damage estimated to be of several thousand euros. No one was injured as the incident happened at around 00:45 local time. Authorities “believe an antisemitic motive prompted vandalism.”^{[12][13][14][15]}

The Independent also reported that German police were investigating an antisemitic motive and added that the attack took place amid heightened tensions linked to the Middle East conflict involving Iran.^[16]

On March 13, 2026, an attack damaged a synagogue on A.B.N. Davidsplein in Rotterdam. While no injuries were reported, the explosion did cause a fire. International outlets reported about the incident as part of several suspected antisemitic attacks following the outbreak of the Iran war.^[17][18][19]

On March 14, 2026, a Jewish school in Amsterdam was damaged by an explosion, characterised by the city's mayor Femke Halsema as "a deliberate attack against the Jewish community". She also stated that "Jewish people in Amsterdam are increasingly confronted with antisemitism. This is unacceptable.” This incident was reported alongside the incidents Rotterdam and Liège targeting Jewish institutions following the outbreak of the Iran war.^[20][21][22]

On 4 April 2026, the 'Israel Center' in Nijkerk was damaged by an explosion. No individual was hurt. Police said that no arrests were made thus far. Christians for Israel, the organisation who operates the targeted building, said that this incident “is also a stark reminder of the growing unease felt by Jewish communities in the Netherlands and around the world. We are seeing a troubling rise in threats and intimidation directed at the Jewish people.”^[23] Associated Press and AFP mentioned that similar incidents took place in Europe.^[24][25] CBS News reported that such attacks raised concerns about antisemitism following the outbreak of the Iran war.^[26]

On March 24, 2026, four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish emergency medical service, were set on fire in Golders Green, London. Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley said that officers were investigating the possibility that a group linked to the Iranian government could be behind the attack. The group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia claimed responsibility, but police have not yet confirmed the veracity of their statement.^[27] British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called this incident a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.^[28] Two UK nationals were arrested in relation to the attack. They were released on bail.^[29]

Further incidents took place in London in April 2026, including arson and attempted arson of synagogues and Jewish-linked property and community organisations in Finchley, Hendon and Harrow. Some of these incidents were investigated as antisemitic hate crimes and counter-terrorism authorities were sometimes involved.^[30][31]

On 29 April, a man ran along Golders Green Road attempting to stab Jewish passers‑by. He managed to stab Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76. Both victims were treated at the scene and taken to hospital. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the "antisemitic attack" as "utterly appalling".^[32] The 45‑year‑old assailant was detained by Shomrim volunteers before being arrested by police.^[33][verify] The Iran-linked group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia claimed responsibility for the attack.^[34]