Israeli President Concerned About Anti-Semitic Violence Abroad

Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin says he is concerned about anti-Semitic attacks abroad, in light of the recent conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip, which spurred rallies worldwide.

In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Wednesday, Rivlin referred to incidents in the United States, while also thanking U.S. President, Joe Biden for his strong and clear support.

Blinken said he was aware of the latest outbreak of anti-Semitic violence in the United States, describing the latest attacks as 'shocking and sickening.’

Anti-Semitic rallies were also staged in other countries, including Germany, during the latest conflict.

“When we see the re-emergence of anti-Semitic incidents, it is the ‘canary in the coal mine,’ because it almost always suggests that more will come, directed against other communities,’’ said Blinken.

Rivlin also said that it was inconceivable that the Hamas movement that rules Gaza is not considered a war criminal group around the world and urged countries to designate the Islamist group thusly.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the U.S., the European Union and other countries.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have so far been keeping to an agreed ceasefire that went into effect early on Friday and came about after more than a week of military escalation that left more than 250 dead in Gaza and 13 in Israel.

Blinken is visiting Israel this week as part of a tour of the region to help shore up the ceasefire.