European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Leva Johansson said there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks in European countries during the Christmas period.
Associated Press reports.
The European Commissioner attributes the threats to the influence of the situation in the Middle East, including the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas.
“Given the war between Israel and Hamas and the polarization it is causing in our society, and the upcoming holiday season, there is a huge risk of terrorist attacks in the European Union,” she told reporters in Brussels.
Recent terrorist attack in Paris
The warning comes as France investigates the deadly attack at the Eiffel Tower in Paris over the weekend. Then a man, a supporter of the extremist group “Islamic State,” stabbed a German-Filipino tourist and wounded two more people with a hammer.
“We saw (this) recently in Paris, but unfortunately we have seen this before,” the EU official said.
Reaction in the EU
Johansson added that the European Commission will allocate an additional 30 million euros ($32.5 million) to strengthen security in vulnerable areas.
Commenting on the terrorist attack in Paris, German Interior Minister Nancy Faser expressed condolences to France. She said the attack highlights “how acute and serious the threat posed by Islamist terrorism is now in the EU.”
The Head of the German Interior Ministry also added that the war in the Gaza Strip and the terror of Hamas militants “are aggravating this situation.”
Europe is monitoring threats
Faser noted that she spoke with her colleagues from Austria, Belgium, France, Spain and Sweden about the risks.
“Our security agencies work very closely together. We must now monitor Islamist threats especially closely and, together with neighboring countries, take measures against Islamist propaganda,” said the German minister.
