Jerusalem  - Israel called Monday on world leaders to "condemn, suppress and curb" anti-Semitic actions sparked by the Jewish state's current assault on Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

"We have received with great concern and revulsion many reports of physical, moral, verbal and other manifestations of anti-Semitic attacks towards Jews and Israeli citizens in many parts of the world," a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.

"The Government of Israel therefore calls upon the leaders of the world to condemn, suppress and curb any and all forms of such incitement and hate, and to further hold freedom accountable those responsible for their actions, the statement continued."

"The dangers that lie within the Pandora's box that appears to have been opened with this current wave of anti-Semitism are known too well to humanity, and we must all strive to prevent all forms of incitement to hatred and discrimination, whoever the victim might be," the communique added.

The ministry said that examples of anti-Semtism and anti-Semitic acts committed by opponents of the Israeli offensive against Hamas included "physical assault, violence and abuse towards Jews, the desecration of cemeteries and synagogues, the use of anti-Semitic incitement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the writing of anti- Semitic graffiti on Jewish property."

It also noted that the Israeli offensive has given rise to cartoons, editorials and press reports which it said were "reminiscent of the kind that appeared in the media of certain countries during the darkest days of the early 20th Century."

"Israel will continue to defend the operation it has undertaken to defend the lives of its citizens from systematic and continuous terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, whatever one's opinion may be of this operation, it should never be used to legitimize hate and anti-Semitic incitement," the statement concluded.

Since Israel began its Gaza assault on December 27, assaults against Jews, as well as arson attacks against Jewish synagogues, have been reported in France, Sweden and Britain, among other countries.

Anti-Semitic epithets and insults have also been shouted or chanted at rallies protesting the Israeli offensive. (dpa)