Israel’s official Arabic-language X account has sparked outrage across social media after describing the rise in the numbers of mosques in Europe as “the true face of colonization”, calling for the removal of “this fifth column”.

Claiming that the number of mosques rose from “fewer than a hundred” in 1980 to “over 20,000” at the present time, the post said “This is the true face of colonialism. This is what is happening while Europe is oblivious and indifferent to the danger.”

The post, published on 25 August, acknowledged freedom of worship as a “basic human right”, but alleged that “the real danger lies in the contents that are taught in some of these mosques”.

The account claimed that some of those mosques encourage “escalating violence in the streets of Europe” and “spread hatred for the other”, urging the European governments to “wake up and remove this fifth column”.

The term “fifth column”, which originates from the Spanish Civil War, refers to a group of people or a faction that undermines a larger group, such as a country or organization, from within, secretly supporting an enemy.

‘Muslims in danger’

Many social media users slammed the post as an Islamophobic campaign targeting Muslims in Europe.

“Israel’s official state ideology is global race war against Muslims,” one person wrote, while another asked “What would the reaction be if an Arab state wrote this about synagogues and Jews?”

Another social media user warned that the post “further jeopardizes” the safety of millions of Muslims in Europe at a crucial timing.

“At a time when anti-Muslim racism in Europe has reached unprecedented levels - evidenced by the fact that one in two Muslims report experiencing discrimination in their daily lives - such Islamophobic content further jeopardizes the safety and well-being of millions.”

Another social media activist said Israel’s rhetoric went beyond that of Germany’s anti-immigrant party.

“Even the AfD [Alternative for Germany] don’t tweet ‘Europe must wake up and remove this fifth column’ over a map of mosques.”

Referring to its growing alliances with European parties known for anti-Muslim rhetoric, another user said Israel is positioning itself as “a blueprint for the international far right”.

“It’s posted this insane anti-Muslim hate rant. And Israel is one of the last states on earth to credibly lecture on hateful indoctrination,” the user added.

‘Migration connected to Israeli wars’

Several emphasized that Muslim migration to Europe cannot be separated from decades of wars, invasions, and displacements in which Israel has played a direct or indirect role.

“It’s hypocritical for Israel to warn about Muslim migration to Europe when its wars in Gaza, the West Bank, and civil wars in Lebanon and Syria have caused the very displacement driving it - Muslims just want to live and raise their children without being bombed or subjugated.”

A reddit user echoed the remarks, saying “Maybe if they didn’t displace Muslims and destroy their homes in the Middle East maybe they wouldn’t need to go to Europe to get a better life to begin with.”

“Israel invaded Middle East, destabilized it, driving Muslims out in droves, yet it doesn’t want Muslims to live anywhere else,” another user added on X.

‘Deluded regime’

Noting that the post was made in Arabic and not the languages of Europe, a user described it as “a humiliation ritual and a threat to those readers who do.”

Some users slammed the map of European mosques juxtaposed to the post as “so inaccurate,” questioning the claim that Europe had fewer than 100 mosques in 1980, amid centuries of Islamic presence across the continent.

“That map is so inaccurate. Spain has over 2,000 mosques, mostly because of it being under Moorish control for a bit,” one user noted.

Pointing to the usage of the word "colonization" in the post, other users highlighted Israel’s own plans to build a “Third Temple” in the occupied Old City of al-Quds.

"So building mosques is a form of colonization but Israel wanting to build the third temple is not? Deluded state."

According to Pew Research Center and the FAF Policy Brief, Europe is home to around 45–50 million today, making up roughly six to seven percent of the continent’s population.

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