Leaders Condemn 'Death to the Jews' Protests

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in parts of the world as protests mount over the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Italy are condemning racist attacks. Jews in these countries are reporting they are being attacked personally as well as their businesses and synagogues.

"Anti-Semitic rhetoric and hostility against Jews, attacks on people of Jewish belief and synagogues have no place in our societies," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, France's Laurent Fabius, and Italy's Federica Mogherini said in a joint statement.

The three said they respect the freedom of speech and the right to assemble, but they will do everything possible to fight "acts and statements that cross the line to anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia."

In Paris, authorities banned protests in certain areas where several pro-Palestinian demonstrations were taking place.

The New York Times reported protesters there chanted, "Death to the Jews!" and "Hitler was right!"  Israeli flags were burned. One demonstrator's banner read: "Isra-hell."

In Germany, about 500 pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted, "Israel is murder," and "Israel bombs, Germany finances."

"The situation has reached unexpected dimensions. The wave of anti-Semitism in the course of pro-Palestinian demonstrations is getting worse from day to day," Deidre Berger, director of the American Jewish Committee Berlin Ramer Institute for German-Jewish relations, said.

CBN News Senior International Correspondent Dale Hurd explained what the protests are really about, July 22. Click play to watch.