Israel-Palestine Escalation
Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

EU Records 'Extraordinary' Levels of Anti-Semitism in Europe

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Following the Palestinian group Hamas' surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, Israel declared a state of war and launch strikes against the Gaza Strip. The conflict divided the global community between supporters of Israel and Palestine, and those dedicated to safeguarding civilian lives.
Sputnik
The European Commission said on Sunday that the surge of anti-Semitic incidents across Europe in the last few days had been extraordinary and vowed to push back against this trend.
"The spike of antisemitic incidents across Europe has reached extraordinary levels in the last few days, reminiscent of some of the darkest times in history. European Jews today are again living in fear," it said in a statement.
The commission condemned "despicable" attacks on synagogues in Germany and Spain, the desecration of a Jewish cemetery in Austria and anti-Semitic graffiti spraying in France, saying the bloc condemned these acts in the strongest terms.
"We have to push back against this rise in antisemitism, as well as the rise in anti-Muslim hatred that we have been witnessing over the past weeks – which has no place in Europe," it added.
Israel-Palestine Escalation
Israel vs Palestine: Who Gets More Support?
The commission pledged to rigorously enforce laws that criminalize public incitement to hatred and violence, both in the street and online, and said it was working with member states to step up security measures at places of worship and other premises.
On October 7, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel from Gaza, killing and abducting people in neighboring Israeli communities. Israel retaliated with missile strikes and a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million. On October 27, Israel launched a large-scale ground incursion into Gaza to eliminate Hamas and rescue the hostages.