The bloodthirsty massacre in October by the Islamist Hamas a year ago also shrouded Europe in a dark shadow. The brutal slaughter of Jewish lives and the subsequent explosion of violence in the Middle East provided all the ingredients for a new wave of terror. A dismal interim result.
The fact that the risk of jihadist attacks has increased rapidly over the past twelve months is not just a dull feeling. It is a bitter reality and can be proven with numbers. According to terror researcher Peter R. Neumann, nine people have been killed on European soil by Islamists since October 7.
The weapon of choice was knives; the crime scene did not follow a strict pattern: terrorists murdered visitors to a city festival, activists in a market square, a teacher in class or a tourist on a city trip to Paris.
Danger more than fivefold
In his research, Neumann identified 36 executed or planned jihadist attacks in the past twelve months. The plan was executed eleven times. In the other cases, the authorities were able to take action in advance and prevent worse.
By comparison, Europol counted a total of two executed and four thwarted terrorist attacks by Islamists in 2022. Even if right-wing and left-wing terrorism are included in the comparison, there were “only” 28 attacks (16 carried out, twelve thwarted) – and therefore significantly less terrorist activity than since October 7.
We live in polarized times
With the revival of the conflict in the Middle East, a new wave of terror swept towards Europe. According to Neumann, German-speaking countries in particular are the target of violent criminals. More than half of all attack attempts take place in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The profile of the perpetrators is a cause for concern: young people in particular are brainwashed by hate preachers and incited to bloody acts. Social media such as the Chinese platform TikTok are at the center of radicalization. Especially the most recent cases in Austria show that this process often starts in children’s rooms.
In both the foiled attacks on superstar Taylor Swift’s Vienna concert series and the attack on the Israeli consulate general in Munich, young Austrians with a migrant background pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).
“Prevention, early warning systems, observation and repression must mainly focus on this target group,” Neumann explains in a blog post about the young perpetrators, whom he calls “TikTok terrorists”.
In Germany, on the other hand, the area of asylum and flight is disproportionately affected: according to Neumann’s research, of the 45 jihadist terrorists in the past eight years, 40 were asylum seekers or refugees. According to statistics, that is only 0.002 percent of all people who have gained weight since 2016, but that does not make the problem any smaller.
Jewish life is under threat again
Another dark realization is that Jews in Europe must once again fear for their lives. For example, after the Hamas terror, residential addresses in Germany were marked with the Star of David. A ‘caliphate’ was declared during demonstrations in Hamburg. And the demand for the destruction of Israel (“From the river to the sea”) also seems to be socially acceptable in left-wing circles.
Also striking: Jewish students throughout Europe were harassed and their participation in classes was sometimes prevented by fellow students.
“More than a third of the attacks and attack planning (36 percent) were wholly or partly aimed at Jews, Jewish institutions or Israel,” expert Neumann also reports.
It could get worse
Since October 7, the conflict in the Middle East has turned into a conflagration that is no longer limited to the Gaza Strip. Israel has now shifted its focus to Lebanon and produced more martyrs. For example, the Israeli forces managed to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was worshiped as a god far beyond the borders of Lebanon.
Iran has already actively fired missiles at Israel twice and the knives are now also being sharpened in Syria and Yemen. The European government is currently failing in the balancing act of criticizing the humanitarian suffering in the region – without putting pressure on the alliance with Israel.
Neumann: It’s not too late!
But there is also good news: the comparison with 2022 makes it clear that the authorities can foil attacks much more often. Namely at least two out of three. Neumann: “It is therefore not true that this type of terrorism cannot be prevented. Of course, there is no 100% security, but the hit rate of the security authorities is high and can be increased even further.
Neumann’s message: It’s not too late! “Terrorist waves usually peak after two or three years. And there is no reason why this wave should be as devastating as the last.” However, action must be taken now!
Editor’s note: This article does not take into account current events in Sweden, because at the time of publication too little was known about the background to the shooting.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
