More than 2,000 anti-Semitic contents identified online in a Europe-wide police operation

Some 18 countries took part in the operation coordinated by Europol, the EU police agency, and included both EU member states and other European countries, including Ukraine.

Nearly 2,000 online content items have been forwarded by Europol to the relevant authorities in the 18 countries concerned for removal. Europol said the anti-Semitic content was being disseminated by extremist groups across the political spectrum, including Islamist, right-wing and left-wing groups.

Irish police have been investigating the case in Ireland and have been carrying out operations to remove anti-Semitic content online. Police headquarters have declined to comment on the case, but it is understood that the investigation has led to at least one prosecution.

In its statement, Europol said it had successfully concluded what it called a “Reporting Action Day” aimed at identifying and combating anti-Semitic content online.

The main aim of this measure was to remove illegal content and ensure that online platforms comply with European regulations on hate speech and discrimination.

“The landmark Day of Action targeted a wide range of anti-Semitic content, including hate speech, Holocaust denial and the glorification of violence against the Jewish community,” he said.

“Widespread anti-Semitism”

The operation was triggered by “the rise of widespread anti-Semitism that is justified and cultivated in jihadist circles and right-wing and left-wing extremist groups online.”

He said the content was also shared by unaffiliated individuals on various online platforms.

According to her, the rise in hate speech was triggered by the October 7 attack by the Hamas terrorist organization on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage, and the subsequent Israeli military response, which resulted in the deaths of more than 30,000 people and left more than a million people at risk of starvation.

Europol said the coordinated operation, carried out by Swiss and British authorities, took place on June 27.

“The operation involved law enforcement agencies from 18 countries, working in tandem with Europol’s European Union Internet Reporting Unit (EU IRU) and major online service providers,” he said.

It was reported that national Internet referencing units and specialized police units from the following countries participated in this Referencing Action Day: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.