As the Iran war escalates, a familiar and painful pattern is once again emerging. The military confrontation may take place thousands of miles from many Jewish communities, yet the consequences are felt immediately and intensely across the Jewish world. Synagogues increase security, Jewish schools review emergency procedures, and Jewish families think twice before displaying symbols of their identity in public.

This reality is not theoretical. It is happening now.

Last week, several Jewish institutions in the Netherlands were attacked in incidents that shocked the local community and prompted urgent security responses. The message is unmistakable: when conflict involving Israel intensifies, Jewish communities everywhere become targets. The perpetrators do not distinguish between Israeli government policy and Jewish life abroad. To them, the two are interchangeable.

The surge of antisemitism that followed the onset of the Israel-Hamas war demonstrated how quickly hostility can spread across continents. Jewish community centers in Europe were vandalized. Students on university campuses reported harassment and threats. Synagogues required armed guards in cities where Jewish life had previously felt relatively secure.

Now, as the war with Iran unfolds, Jewish communities once again find themselves on the front line of unintended consequences. Throughout modern history, geopolitical crises involving Israel have produced ripple effects for Jews worldwide – from political protests to outright violence against Jewish........

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