The violent rhetoric against Jews and Israel that has spilled over into the attacks on Jews is no accident. Nor is it a surprise that those who would delegitimize Israeli Jews and demonize their actions would extend this to the Jews in their own midst, whether or not they are Zionists or religious.
While theoretically one can oppose Israel without wishing to kill all Jews, it is no coincidence that those who espouse the former slip so easily into the rhetoric aiming at the latter.
In order for this scourge to be effectively halted, it will thus require more than admonitions for Europeans to mind their manners and to treat others as they would themselves like to be treated. What it will take is an understanding that so long as Israel is considered a fair target for extermination, it is impossible to pretend that every Jew on the planet will not be considered fair game by Islamists or more traditional varieties of bigots.
Chancellor Merkel has made a start in this respect, but unless Europe’s leaders make it clear to their people that genocide against Jews is unacceptable wherever it might occur, the rising tide of Jew hatred will not abate.