Eye on Extremism: November 3, 2026
Top Stories
Associated Press: Flights across Europe face disruption after false bomb threats
Several flights across Europe received alleged bomb threats Tuesday that ultimately turned out to be hoaxes but prompted searches, diversions and, in one case, an escort by the Italian Air Force until landing, officials said. The impacted airlines included Polish airline LOT, Scandinavian Airlines, Wizz Air and Ryanair. No one was injured.
JNS: AJC chief condemns antisemitism from left and right ahead of midterms
American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch warned on Monday ahead of the U.S. midterm elections that antisemitism had become increasingly normalized across the political spectrum, accusing figures on both the far left and far right of marginalizing Jewish Americans and making them political targets.
CEP Mentions
NJToday: White supremacist youth group met with neo-Nazis in central New Jersey, watchdog says
A white supremacist youth group that recruits members under 18 held a meetup in central New Jersey with members of the state’s Active Club chapter and the neo-Nazi group Northeast Action, the Counter Extremism Project said Monday.
Analysis
Global Project on Hate and Extremism: What We’re Seeing from The Proud Boys Before the Midterms
With the U.S. midterm elections one day away, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) has been closely monitoring far-right extremist movements, groups, and influencers for threats against government institutions, the judiciary, polling stations, and election workers.
Council on Foreign Relations: The Assassination of a Peacemaker
An Islamic preacher’s brutal after-dark execution is a tragic reminder of what is at stake in the struggle to vanquish jihadism in northern Nigeria.
JNS: Lebanon’s failure to confront Hezbollah leaves Israel no choice but to act
Lebanon’s leaders remain unwilling to risk a confrontation with the Shi’ite group, allowing the Iranian-backed organization to rearm and undermining hopes for a lasting security arrangement.
United States
Federal authorities have charged an Oklahoma man with sending hundreds of letters containing nonhazardous white powder to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections. The powders turned out to be yeast or flour, though not all letters have been fully tested, the FBI said in a court filing made public Tuesday.
A judge allowed the pretrial release of a Wilmington man charged with hate crime and allegedly telling people he didn’t want Muslims or “Sharia Law” in his neighborhood.
NPR: From 'model minority' to target, anti-Indian hate on the rise
Two decades ago, the predominant narrative about Indian immigrants to the U.S. was glowing, describing the relatively small population as a "model minority." But Chopra says that over the last four years, a combination of growing anti-immigrant populism, economic anxiety and rising political visibility have dramatically changed the script. Today, he said, online and political discourse more often depict Indian Americans and a broader community of people of South Asian descent in conspiracist, degrading and dehumanizing ways.
PBS: Muslim communities confront surge of hostility during midterms
In the run-up to the midterm elections, experts have documented a surge of Islamophobia in political ads and speeches. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on some of the targets of that rhetoric and the impact it’s making. It's part of our series, Race Matters.
Missoula Current: Spokane defends resolution naming pastor as ‘domestic terrorist’
The city of Spokane appeared before the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday seeking to dodge a former Washington state representative’s claim that the City Council violated the state constitution by labeling him a domestic terrorist.
A teen who disappeared from her northern Utah home in May of 2025 has been found safe, according to the FBI and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson for Oregon State Police told KSL that troopers received a request from the FBI to assist with the recovery of a missing 17-year-old female. The spokesperson said the teen was later found inside a Huntington, Oregon home. The suspect, 39-year-old Adam H. Harmel, was later arrested in Ontario, Oregon, and is being held at the Malheur County Jail.
Antisemitic and anti-Zionist graffiti spray-painted onto four Jewish school buses in Williamsburg, New York, on Monday. Photos shared on social media show the buses covered in antisemitic and anti-Zionist slogans, such as “F*** Israel,” “USA first,” and “Free Palestine.”
Philadelphia anti-Israel groups are planning a bicycle ride targeting Jewish-owned businesses on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi-orchestrated pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria.
Fox News: Jewish leaders equip students to face antisemitism on campus
At a Jewish student conference, speakers encourage teens to stand up for themselves, push back against hate and remain proud of their identity.
WUSA 9: DC police searching for suspect who defaced a synagogue with antisemitic graffiti
Police seek help identifying a suspect accused of defacing a DC synagogue with antisemitic graffiti. The incident is investigated as potentially hate-motivated.
Canada
CityNews Edmonton: Terrorism offence: Alberta teen accused of corresponding online with ISIS
Authorities say a 17-year-old from Alberta was arrested last week in connection with a terrorism-related offence. The teenager, who cannot be named, is accused of corresponding online with people affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Globe and Mail: Belleville synagogue members call for increased focus on counter-radicalization
Members of a Belleville, Ont., synagogue are urging the federal government to escalate counter-radicalization efforts, pointing to antisemitic incidents continuing in their community more than a month after a shooter attacked their congregation on the holiest day in the Jewish year.
University presidents from across Canada met in Ottawa on Tuesday to establish a coordinated five-point action plan aimed at addressing antisemitism and safeguarding Jewish students, faculty, and staff on post-secondary campuses.
Peru
JNS: Tens of thousands march against antisemitism in Peru
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Peru on Monday against antisemitism and in support of Israel. The Nov. 2 event, held in Lima and organized by the Germany-based March of Life movement, brought together evangelical Christians and leaders of the South American country’s local Jewish community, as well as Israeli Ambassador to Peru Gali Dagan.
Europe
Europol and specialized authorities from 16 countries sent digital platforms over 9,000 links to terrorist and violent extremist content in an operation coordinated with Spain. The figures announced on Tuesday, November 3, concern material distributed on 47 gaming platforms and social networks, in communities that use online role-playing games for propaganda and recruitment. It was not disclosed how many of the materials were removed.
France
Washington Post: A Black man’s killing inflames debate over identity and racism in France
Tensions were already running high in France when a gunman opened fire from a car in the town of Trappes, killing a young Black man and severely injuring a schoolgirl on her way back from the local swimming pool.
Germany
DPA: Police carry out raids across Germany targeting far-left extremists
German police carried out searches of homes in several federal states as part of an investigation into far-left extremist groups. Raids took place at homes in northern and eastern Germany, the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office and the Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA) said on Tuesday.
JNS: Jewish Academy opens in Frankfurt as Steinmeier urges protection of Jewish life
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier joined Jewish leaders on Monday in inaugurating the Jewish Academy in Frankfurt, an institution the Central Council of Jews in Germany describes as the country’s first supraregional, non-university Jewish educational institution established since the Holocaust.
Algemeiner: Germany Sees Surge in Islamist-Linked Antisemitic Crimes, Government Data Reveals
Islamist extremism is fueling a growing wave of antisemitism in Germany, with newly released government data revealing a sharp rise in Islamist-motivated crimes in 2025, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Jewish communities and Israelis living in the country.
Romania Journal: AfD Leader Targets Romanian Migrants in Germany
Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has launched a direct attack on Romanian migrants living in Germany, accusing them of exploiting the country’s social welfare system.
Poland
BNN: Amid rising sabotage threats, Poland deploys counter-terrorism units near Russian border
Poland has deployed police counter-terrorism units along its border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad following reports of potential sabotage, The Kyiv Independent reports.
Sweden
Jerusalem Post: ‘Jew-free zone’ sticker on Stockholm storefront sparks outrage
Two stickers reading “Jew free zone” appeared this Saturday on the front of a shoe store in central Stockholm, Sweden, sparking widespread public outrage. Alongside a sticker from the boycott movement against Israel, which declared the premises an “Apartheid-free zone,” a sticker was affixed reading “Jew-free zone,” with the word “Jew” written in German inside a Star of David, an echo of the Nazi term Judenfrei.
United Kingdom
Iran International: Three men helped IRGC prepare attacks on journalists, UK prosecutor says
Three men accused of plotting attacks on Iran International journalists carried out surveillance that materially assisted Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a prosecutor told a London court in his closing argument on Monday.
The Telegraph: MI5 won’t be prosecuted for lying in court over neo-Nazi case
MI5 will not face contempt of court proceedings over false evidence it provided during cases involving a neo-Nazi on its payroll. The Security Service previously admitted that it gave evidence based on lies to three courts about whether it had breached its policy of neither confirm nor deny regarding Agent X, a Right-wing extremist working for MI5 who used his status to abuse his partner known as “Beth.”
The UK government is facing a legal challenge for encouraging English schools and colleges to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as part of a sweeping package of reforms.
Afghanistan
Taliban officials have been invited to attend an upcoming U.N. climate summit as observers for the second time since returning to power in Afghanistan, a Kabul official said Tuesday. The summit starts next week in the Mediterranean city of Antalya in Turkey.
PBS News: Advocates warn Afghans deported by U.S. will face ‘certain death’ under Taliban
The Trump administration is preparing to deport at least 150 Afghans over the next 48 hours, first to Pakistan and then to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Many of those facing deportation are relatives of those who worked alongside the United States. They could face severe retaliation from the Taliban upon their return. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Shawn VanDiver of Afghan Evac.
Afghanistan International: Taliban Moves To Expand Economic Cooperation With Russia
The Taliban's Deputy Prime Minister's Office for Economic Affairs announced a meeting to coordinate economic cooperation with Russia. It said participants reviewed progress on bilateral economic agreements and investment opportunities across various sectors.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, said Taliban restrictions have severely limited or destroyed young Afghans' hopes of pursuing higher education, finding employment, achieving financial independence, starting families and contributing to society.
Afghanistan International: Anti-Taliban Attacks More Than Doubled In October, Says Report
Anti-Taliban resistance groups claim to have carried out 82 attacks against Taliban positions and members across Afghanistan in October. According to figures released by the groups, the number of attacks more than doubled compared with September.
Gaza Strip/West Bank
Times of Israel: 6 West Bank Palestinians arrested for trying to build rockets to launch at Israel
Six Palestinians from the Jenin area in the northern West Bank were arrested for attempting to build rockets to launch at Israel, the Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police announced on Tuesday.
Times of Israel: 18 settlers detained for assaulting security forces during illegal outpost removal
Israeli security forces arrested 18 settlers who rioted and attacked troops during the evacuation of an illegal outpost in the northern West Bank on Monday, the military said.
Iran
News.Az: Iran’s IRGC says 3 tankers exploded after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz – VIDEO
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that three tankers exploded after striking naval mines while passing through the Strait of Hormuz without Iran’s authorisation. According to the IRGC, the tankers had switched off their geolocation tracking systems while sailing through the southern part of the strait, Al Jazeera reported.
Caspian Post: Iran Claims Destruction of Two US Drones in Hormozgan – VIDEO
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it destroyed two US-made Lucas drones near the port of Bandar Khamir in Hormozgan Province. According to Tasnim News Agency, the drones were shot down by air defence systems operated by the Imam Sajjad unit.
Iran International: Armed group claims attacks on Iran's Guards and Fatemiyoun militia
An armed group claimed responsibility for two attacks targeting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the Afghan Fatemiyoun militia in southeastern Iran, rights news outlet Haalvsh reported Tuesday.
Iran International: Iran Basij chief challenges Trump over Hormuz control, oil prices
If the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz as it claims, why does it need to invoke negotiations with Iran to influence oil prices, Hossein Taeb, head of the Revolutionary Guards' Basij force, said, according to Iranian state media.
Lebanon
Naharnet: ‘Abducting ministers and attacking army’: Has Hezbollah plotted armed takeover?
Hezbollah held a “security meeting” in the southern suburbs of Beirut on the night of October 21, hours prior to a cabinet session that was held the next day, mapping out a scenario for action should the government approve referring the Dahr al-Baidar explosives case to the Judicial Council, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Naharnet: Israel asks that Lebanese Army deploy in areas where Hezbollah is present
Israel has sent a message to the Lebanese authorities via the United States, requesting that the Lebanese Army “redeploy and establish checkpoints in areas where Hezbollah elements are present,” Israel’s public broadcaster reported overnight.
Naharnet: Aoun intensifies efforts to keep Hezbollah out of potential Iran war, report says
President Joseph Aoun has intensified his contacts with domestic, Arab, and international parties to prevent Hezbollah's intervention in a potential war with Iran. A report published Tuesday in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had warned Aoun that Israel would expand its attacks north of the Litani River if Hezbollah once again joined the conflict.
Jordan
A prominent security specialist has called for reviving a government plan to undermine extremism in Jordan after an attack on a church last month that killed nine people and shook the country.
Syria
Reuters: Syria says it foiled Hezbollah plot to attack Homs oil refinery
Syrian security forces have arrested members of a cell linked to Lebanese Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah accused of planning to attack the Homs oil refinery in central Syria, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.
Hezbollah-appointed Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar visited Syria on Monday with three other Lebanese ministers, marking the first time a Hezbollah official has been formally welcomed in Damascus since the fall of the Assad regime.
Mali
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), al-Qaeda’s Sahel affiliate, says it targeted a vehicle carrying Malian army and Russian Africa Corps personnel with an improvised explosive device on the morning of Monday, 2 November 2026. The claimed strike took place on the road between Sévaré and Konna in Mali's Mopti region.
Australia
JNS: Australia heightening security for Chanukah after Bondi Beach massacre
Australian police are dramatically increasing their security presence for Chanukah next month following last year’s deadly holiday attack. The police have deployed a newly established 250-member unit armed with assault rifles to conduct high-visibility patrols at major public events, places of worship, and crowded spaces.
Technology
CTECH: X and Instagram account for 98% of views of antisemitic content in new study
An analysis of 2,806 posts found that the two platforms generated more than 1.1 billion views, while TikTok and Facebook recorded a fraction of the reach. Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s Instagram are the leading distributors of antisemitic content among the four major social media platforms examined in a new study. The platforms expose users to such material even when they are not actively searching for it, and together account for 98% of all views of antisemitic posts, according to an extensive analysis by the Antisemitism Research Center (ARC) of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
CNN: Crypto scammers are capitalizing on anti-Muslim bigotry
Put simply, the researchers found that the accounts showed telltale signs of bait-and-switch scam operations. But in a bleak indicator of the current political climate, the bait was inflammatory content about Muslims.
Europol: Not a game: Europol and partners target terrorist role-playing online
Europol’s European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) coordinated together with Spain a Referral Action Day targeting violent extremist and terrorist live action role-playing (LARPing) in online gaming environments. Specialised units from 16 countries participated in the action.
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