New report shows anti-Semitism in Europe at highest level since WWII
The figures confirm what our instincts have been telling us: anti-Semitism in western Europe has now reached its highest level since the end of World War II. A report released on Sunday by the Jewish Agency for Israel compiles figures from across Europe which make for disturbing reading (though not if you read the BBC’s website since the story has been ignored!).
According to the Jerusalem Post’s coverage of a press conference at which the report was unveiled:
“In France, 631 incidents occurred in the first half of 2009, compared with 431 in 2008. In Britain, some 600 anti-Semitic incidents took place during 2009 [the largest number since records began]. In the Netherlands, some one hundred incidents were noted [in the three months] following the Gaza incursion, the same number as the country had witnessed the entire previous year.”
The report also warned of the re-emergence of the medieval blood libel in mainstream media outlets such as the notorious article in Sweden’s top selling Aftonbladet newspaper alleging a Jewish conspiracy in which Israeli soldiers were harvesting the bodily organs of Palestinian children for sale on the international black market.
Jewish Agency chief Natan Sharansky was quoted as saying:
“Classical anti-Semitism is changing, and it’s been replaced with a new anti-Semitism, which takes its shape in the form of unbridled attacks against the idea of a Jewish state.”
This, of course, is the subject of my recent book, A State Beyond the Pale, and accounts for much of the material on this website.
In elaborating on the criteria which he uses to define this new anti-Semitism, Sharansky went on to say:
“We’ve identified [such criteria] through a ‘3-D principle’…demonization, delegitimization and a double standard. And if you look at anti-Semitism throughout the ages, we see these principles at play as well - the demonization of Jews, the delegitimization of the Jews as a nation, and a double standard towards Jews as a people and a religion.”
To read the full article in the Jerusalem Post, click here:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1263147969773&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
To purchase my recent book on the subject for yourself or a friend, click here:
Tags: Israel
January 25th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Robin,
“…double standard towards Jews as a people and a religion…”
Far more concerning is the double standards of the media and the so-called ‘intelligentsia’ between their treatment of each and every Israeli act; whether it is the war, targetted attacks on terror leaders, or political actions like the building of the security fence or the withdrawal from Gaza; compared with the way that any act by any other nation is reported or commented on.
That’s the real danger, the subtle and continuous feeding of the idea that Israel, and by insinuation / association, Jews as a whole are in some way more devious, more violent, more racist etc. than anybody else in the World.
I’m neither Jewish nor Israeli but feel an immense and growing anger and frustration about this. Goodness knows how it must feel to be Jewish!
Yours is a faint voice in the middle of a large angry mob but I hope you keep shouting: some people can hear you.
Steve, London
January 25th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Michael Gove wrote a piece at the Daily Telegraph today regarding the rise of anti-Semitism. By the tenor of the comments’ section one can establish that it is no exaggeration to state that the anti-Semites and Israel-haters now believe that it is acceptable to show their faces. Some of them appear to have migrated from the Guardian comment is free website.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:55 am
The figures are alarming because they do not give a full picture of the extent of anti-semitism. The figures are about incidents directly affecting individuals, but the attack on Jews of course is evidenced in the writings in the media, books and on the net attacking ideas, objective history and memory.
Many Jews are easily silenced on university campus, in employment, among colleagues and anywhere since any mere indication of any sympathy with Israel or Jews usually prompts an attack which often becomes personal and will not be reported. At a new year gathering I mentioned to someone that I had been to see friends and family in Israel. His response was that Israel had stolen the land and I found myself under siege as he went off on an ignorant tirade. It felt most uncomfortable. If I had said “from North Korea” he’d have said nothing. He knew nothing about my politics but had immediately formed his view of me, by my mentioning the word “Israel”. A colleague at work I had a drink with remarked about the “insular” lives of the Haredi community, who in his view had failed to integrate to conclude : “They deserve what will happen to them!” I’m sure many readers will have their own experiences of this.
Interestingly I have noted from speaking with a friend that he too is feeling uncomfortable as the media seems to be preoccupied with Muslims and he sees no future in remaining in this country. He does not hold extreme views but loathes the fact that Muslims as a group are being tainted with the same brush as those being reported about daily in the news and FEARS a backlash and was talking about leaving the UK.
The trend is worrying and Robin you are absolutely right to keep highlighting it and not to allow the discussion on the subject to hide in the shadows however unpleasant this has all become.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
This anti-Semitism is pretty bizarre and self-destructive. The Jews have been one of Europe’s most creative and productive minorities. And Israel has played an indispensable role in the West’s emerging technological achievements of the past generation.
January 26th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Another Joshua: It is, as you say, deeply unfashionable to like and defend Israel, but we need to come out of the closet. Israel bashers are invariably ignorant and easily argued with. Don’t let them get away with it.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
The endless drumbeat in the anti-Israeli media (BBC, Guardian, various blogs) and the support by unscrupulous public figures vying for the Moslem vote is having its effect.
Also in the US (Huffington Post, Pat Buchanan, e.g.), just less so so far.