Last night the home of the Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands, Rabbi Binyamin Jacobs, a member of the rabbinical council of the RCE, was pelted with stones for the second time in a week. In both instances the attacks, accentuated by anti-Semitic catcalls and curses, continued for several minutes and caused considerable damage to Rabbi Jacobs’ home, but fortunately no one was physically injured.

This evening an assembly will be held to demonstrate the country’s support for the rabbi and to protest hate crimes. It is to be attended by representatives of local Jewish and Christian organizations.

“Miraculously, no one was physically injured, thank G-d, in this terrifying attack,” Rabbi Jacobs reported. “The fact that this is the second attack on my home within the space of a week simply shows us how deep the hatred toward Jews runs in many European countries.” Recently, Rabbi Jacobs participated in the meetings between the RCE’s rabbinical council and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with the EU’s minister of education. The purpose of these meetings was to consider ways to battle the phenomenon of anti-Semitism and xenophobia in Europe.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, director of the EJA and the RCE, responded to the attack: “For quite some time we have been warning about the sharp rise in anti-Semitism in Europe, and we have repeated our demand to European governments to set up official bodies to battle anti-Semitism. This includes teaching the youth about it, for they will be the next generation’s leaders. At the same time, we are asking for increased security for Jewish institutions and for Jews and their community leaders.”

Noting the marked increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activities aimed at European Jewish institutions, Rabbi Margolin has stepped up the safety protocol for rabbis and directors of Jewish institutions throughout Europe.

Photo: The view captured from inside Rabbi Jacobs’ home.