The European Commission pledged on Wednesday to intensify efforts to combat hate crimes across Europe, as ongoing military conflicts have led to incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia throughout the continent. The Commission stated: "Europe is witnessing a worrying increase in hate speech and hate crimes, with evidence showing that the Jewish and Muslim communities are particularly affected." The Commission mentioned that it will increase spending on the protection of places of worship, including an additional five million euros ($5.4 million), to address the threats of rising anti-Semitism.