The recent escalation in violence between the Israeli military and Hamas in Gaza has had a ripple effect around the world, with reports of several incidents fueled by anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Driving the news: Israel and Hamas approved a ceasefire that went into effect at 2 a.m. local time on Friday. But fears remain that agreement is fragile and the conflict will resume. Gaza health officials say at least 232 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the crisis, including 65 children. Twelve people have been killed in Israel.
Zoom out: Anti-Semitic, as well as Islamophobic, vandalism and harassment have been reported to law enforcement and shared across social media platforms throughout the U.S. and Europe....
- In Los Angeles this week, people in a convoy of cars flying Palestinian flags harassed and physically assaulted patrons sitting outside a restaurant. A witness told the Los Angeles Times: "They were chanting, 'Death to Jews' and 'Free Palestine.'"
- LA police are investigating the attack as a hate crime, in connection with another incident that took place this Monday, when two motorists, also waving Palestinian flags, chased a Jewish pedestrian who was forced to "run for his life," AP reports.
- The New York Police Department's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating a separate violent incident that took place Thursday involving a Jewish man in Times Square.
- In Chicago, a window at the Persian Hebrew Congregation was shattered and surveillance caught two people on camera, one carrying a "Freedom for Palestine" sign. Police are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime and searching for the culprits.
- A neighborhood in London