German deputy chancellor Habeck strongly condemns the increasing problem of antisemitism

German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has promised a strong political response to the rising antisemitism in the country. In a widely-viewed video, he condemned antisemitism from various groups, including Islamists, the far right, and parts of the political left. Germany has recently experienced a surge in antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents, which began after the attacks in Israel on 7 October. Habeck emphasized that Jewish communities, nearly 80 years after the Holocaust, were advising their members to avoid certain places for safety. The Vice-Chancellor's video received praise from some political figures, but also drew criticism from others who disagreed with his implication that Muslim migrants and refugees had brought antisemitism to Europe. Germany's Central Council of Muslims also condemned antisemitism but disagreed with Israel's bombing of Gaza. In response to the increasing antisemitism, Germany has banned activities linked to Hamas and a pro-Palestinian network called Samidoun. The bans were welcomed by the head of Germany's Central Council of Jews, who called for action against other hate organizations. Austria has also seen a rise in reported antisemitic incidents, including an attack on a Jewish section of Vienna's central cemetery. In a separate incident, a Moldovan couple has been detained in France on suspicion of spray-painting Stars of David on walls in Paris. They claimed to have carried out the act on behalf of a third party and are now facing expulsion. Prosecutors are unsure whether the acts were intended as an insult to the Jewish community.