Smoke rises from the Israeli side after Palestinian Hamas gunmen infiltrated areas of southern Israel, as seen from Gaza, October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Speaking at a conference titled “The World After October 7th,” which was organized by the European Association for the Defense of Democracies and the World Council for Public Diplomacy and Community Dialogue, Imam Hassen Chalgoumi stated: “October 7 was a turning point, comparable to the September 11 terror attacks. The attacks by Hamas and their allies shocked not only Israel but the entire world. It was a horrific crime, a massive massacre that changed the world.”
Following the October 7 Massacre, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Houthis in Yemen united under the Iranian umbrella in order to attack Israel. Chalgoumi pointed out the growing alliance between various Islamist groups, including Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other extremist organizations. He stressed that these groups reveal the true nature of terrorism and pose a threat to global security. “These groups do not represent Islam,” he emphasized, “but are dangerous extremists undermining the stability of different regions.”
In Europe, Chalgoumi sees a troubling trend of increasing support for Islamist ideologies, often accompanied by support from far-left and far-right groups. He warned that this development is leading to more division and fear in Europe. “The rise of extremist parties on both sides is a threat to Europe’s unity and security,” he warned.
Chalgoumi called for concrete actions to combat extremism. He advocated for improved education, stronger legislation, and more support for moderate voices within the Muslim community. “We must invest in education and awareness,” he said. “Parents, teachers, and religious leaders play a crucial role in preventing radicalization.”
He also emphasized the importance of responsible media use and addressing online radicalization. “The propaganda on social media is powerful and dangerous,” Chalgoumi said. “We must protect young people from these influences by teaching them critical thinking and making them aware of the dangers.”
Chalgoumi concluded with a call for unity and cooperation. “It is time for us to come together and work towards a peaceful and stable future,” he said. “We can only overcome these challenges by working together and supporting each other.”
Manel Msalmi, president of EADM and a women’s rights activist, noted the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli women and children on October 7, including the mass rapes of the living and the dead, and the sexual torture endured by the hostages. She also noted the rise of antisemitic attacks in Europe, such as the recent rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl by anti-Semites in France. She stressed the need to fight against hate and extremism in the wake of the rise of far right and the far left during the elections.
Across Europe, mainstream and left-leaning parties that have traditionally been strong supporters of democracy and minority rights have grown more critical of Israel and more sympathetic to the Continent’s growing antisemitism. Meanwhile, right-leaning parties, including some on the far right that have historically espoused antisemitism, are now more supportive of Israel and are taking a strong stand against Islamic extremism — albeit one often infused with racism and xenophobia. This makes the plight of Jews in Europe more precarious than ever following the October 7 massacre.
