<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

On Sunday, IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land. declared war. It was only hours after an attack by PalestinianPalestine is an area of the eastern Mediterranean region, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of modern Israel. It has been fought over by Arab and Jewish national movements for many years. militantFavouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause. group HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. on the country had killed hundreds of people.

Now Jewish people around the world are worried that there might be a rise in antisemiticHostile to or prejudiced against Jewish people.  hate crimesA crime that is motivated by who the victim is, for example prejudice towards their race, sexuality, religion or other characteristics. .

Israel and Palestine have been in conflict for many years over two areas of land - Gaza StripThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt. and the West BankA landlocked territory bordered by Israel, Jordan and the Dead Sea. It is the largest of the Palestinian territories. . Many Palestinians live in areas that are occupiedWhen a place is controlled or taken over without proper permission. by Israel.

Now, Israel is at war with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

Whenever there is a rise in tension in the area, many Jewish people around the world fear that they may become the targets of hate crimes. And this is one of the most violent weeks the region has seen for many years.

The threat can be very real. In London, a restaurant selling Jewish food was broken into - although the police say they do not think it is a hate crime.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>

Many countries have put more security around synagoguesJewish places of worship. , where Jewish people worship.

Antisemitism is often called the "world's oldest hatred". Jewish people have faced antisemitism since Roman times. Jewish communities have been forced out of the places they lived at many different times throughout history.

In the 1930s and 1940s, the world was horrified by the HolocaustThe murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed. , which took place before and during World War TwoA global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers. . Millions of Jewish people were killed.

It is not surprising that some people are not very hopeful that antisemitism can be stopped. But others say we should always be positive.

Today, Holocaust Memorial Day is marked in 39 countries around the world. If we keep fighting prejudiceAn idea about something, especially a group of people, that is not based on reality. and teaching people about Jewish history, some say, then hatred can be defeatedBeaten. .

Yes! Antisemitism and antisemitic ideas are far too common. But most people are not born with hateful ideas. If we work to find and stop antisemitic views we can make change.

No! Unfortunately, things are getting worse and not better. Antisemitic ideas are so common that people trying to fight them face a huge task.

Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.

Palestinian - Palestine is an area of the eastern Mediterranean region, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of modern Israel. It has been fought over by Arab and Jewish national movements for many years.

Militant - Favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause.

Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.

Antisemitic - Hostile to or prejudiced against Jewish people. 

Hate crimes - A crime that is motivated by who the victim is, for example prejudice towards their race, sexuality, religion or other characteristics.

Gaza strip - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt.

West Bank - A landlocked territory bordered by Israel, Jordan and the Dead Sea. It is the largest of the Palestinian territories.

Occupied - When a place is controlled or taken over without proper permission.

Synagogues - Jewish places of worship.

Holocaust - The murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed.

World War Two - A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers.

Prejudice - An idea about something, especially a group of people, that is not based on reality.

Defeated - Beaten.