1. Overview: Introduction
A. Antisemitism is Back
B. The European Commission Report on Antisemitism 
C. The Anti-Defamation League Poll
D. The Tip of the Iceberg
E. Epidemic proportions
A. Antisemitism is Back
Antisemitism is back. Whether the bombing of a Synagogue
in Turkey, the use of traditional anti Semitic stereotypes in the Arab
press, or the open hatred of Jewish students on University campuses worldwide,
one fact is clear: the "oldest hatred" has returned.
Historically, Europe has been one of the centers of Antisemitism,
and – indeed – its cradle. Today, the syndrome has re-appeared
worldwide, but on the European continent, in particular, – and with
a vengeance. This is not just speculation, or based solely on the outcome
of incident record-keeping: it is the conclusion of serious research.
Below are the disquieting findings about beliefs among the general population,
as surveyed and recorded by two independent and highly reputable institutions:
- The European Union – in the
Berlin Report, which was suppressed for almost a year;
- The Anti Defamation League – which surveyed specific
beliefs in their recent European poll.
- The American Jewish Committee also reported
to the US Senate in global terms.
B. The European Commission Report on Antisemitism
This independent report was prepared by the Center for Research on Anti-Semitism
at the Technische Universität Berlin, Germany, on behalf of the European
Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), namely, for the European
Commission. http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasite/images/iht_daily/
D281103/eu_anti_semitism_report.rtf
The fact that the report was suppressed by the Commission itself, and
published by other, non-associated bodies, speaks volumes about its findings:
at first, the Commission claimed that there were data collection and statistical
problems relating to definitions and quantification, but their primary
concern was really the major finding that most of the antisemitic
incidents were directly related to the political tension in Europe reflected
from the Second Intifada and that, moreover, this growing wave of Antisemitism
emanated primarily from Muslims in Europe. It is no coincidence that
this outcome was the sequel to another EU poll, which found that Israel
was perceived as the greatest threat to world peace: there is a perceived
correlation in the minds of many Europeans.
The report is well based in statistical references from reputable sources.
It covered verbal aggression, physical violence and assault, as well as
attacks against institutions. Findings clearly demonstrate that the major
problems were in France, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. It also
addresses the tone of the mass media (Greece), the appearance of radical
Islamic groups in countries with a traditionally right-wing form of Antisemitism
(Spain), as well as the persistence of right-wing Antisemitism in other
countries (Austria). However, it also emphasises the unification of the
left-wing and pro-Palestinian groups at demonstrations in Spain, France,
Italy and Sweden, where antisemitic slogans and banners were part of the
rallies.
In terms of incidents and attacks, the perpetrators did include right-wing
extremists, but also "radical Islamists, young Muslims", "Palestinian
groups", politicians and "citizens from the political mainstream",
as well as the anti-globalization lobby, the anti-American lobby and "just
for the fun of it".
The report did not attempt to quantify "salon" Antisemitism,
but noted the prevalence of latent antisemitic opinions in the general
population and addressed the entire gamut of antisemitic prejudice, from
the conspiracy theory, through Holocaust denial, across the political
spectrum to the Church. It also covered the tie-in to anti-Israel sentiment,
especially in the media and the Internet, irrespective of source.
"… there exists a close link between the increase of
anti-Semitism and the escalation of the Middle East conflict, whereas
factors which usually determine the frequency of anti-Semitic incidents
in the respective countries, such as the strength and the degree of
mobilisation extremist far-right parties and groups can generate, have
not played the decisive role in the reporting period."
The European Commission Report on Antisemitism
The recommendations were clearly directed at improving records, policing,
legislation joint strategies and guidelines in general. Recommendations
for Internet and Media were less clear.
It remains to be seen whether the proposed Conference on Antisemitism
will now take place – it has been postponed once, but Council President
Prodi has now promised that it will be convened (in conjunction with the
European Council of Jewish Communities).
[See: Europe's moral treachery over anti-Semitism, Edgar M. Bronfman and
Cobi Benatoff, The Financial Times, January 4th 2004. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/
FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1071251894155&p=1012571727092
]
C. The Anti-Defamation League Poll
This is a summary report and analysis of the recent Taylor Nelson Sofres
poll commissioned by the Anti Defamation League (also in the EU report,
above, page 43) http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASInt_13/4118_13.asp
found that a traditional hatred of Jews in Europe has been rekindled.
The poll showed that a large number of Europeans accept a wide range of
traditional anti-Semitic stereotypes about Jews. Of those surveyed;
30% harbor traditional anti-Semitic stereotypes.
45% believe Jews are more loyal to Israel than their
own country.
30% believe that Jews have too much power in the business
world.
39% of Europeans believe Jews still talk too much
about the Holocaust.
from the ADL survey
D. The Tip of the Iceberg
In 2003 a Jewish memorial in Belarus was vandalized. Neo-Nazi extremists
planted bombs at a Munich synagogue. A Viennese rabbi was attacked. A
man was kicked and spat upon in Berlin for wearing a Star of David.
Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe, describes Jews as the canary
in Europe’s mine. He outlines the alarming extent of Antisemitism
across Europe, and how far it has gone. The article lists physical assault,
arson and automatic fire on property in Belgium; anti-Israel cartoons
with anti-Jewish themes in Italy; physical assault, explosives against
property, a neo-Nazi rally near a synagogue and similar graffiti on a
synagogue in Germany; in Greece, a Jewish cemetery and a Holocaust memorial
were desecrated; in Slovakia, the Kosice Jewish cemetery was severely
damaged and desecrated; in Holland, there were dominant neo-Nazi tones
at an anti-Israel rally.
He returns, nevertheless, to the phenomenon being most widespread and
conspicuous in France.
"In Belgium, the chief rabbi, was assaulted . Two synagogues
in Brussels were firebombed…
"In Germany… Graffiti appeared on a synagogue in the western
town of Herford: "Six million were not enough."
"In Greece, Jewish graves were desecrated…. In Holland, an
anti-Israel demonstration featured swastikas, photos of Hitler, and
chants of "Sieg Heil" and "Jews into the sea." …
"But nowhere have the flames of Antisemitism burned more furiously
than in France."
from The Canary in Europe's Mine by Jeff Jacoby
It is in France that the new wave of Antisemitism appears endemic and
to have reached a critical level. With the largest Jewish population in
Europe, France offers an ideal breeding ground for the fomentation of
oppportunistic Antisemitism, with little deterrent action being taken
by the authorities over a period of three years.
Between September 9, 2000 and November 20, 2001, 330 antisemitic incidents
took place in Paris - about an incident a day.
In April 2002 a Paris synagogue was targeted, a Jewish sports club was
attacked in Toulouse, southern France, two Molotov cocktails were thrown
at a synagogue outside Paris. Attackers threw several firebombs at the
Jewish religious centre in the southern city of Montpellier overnight,
setting a nearby office ablaze. A bus was torched at a Jewish school in
the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers.
On the night of Saturday November 15th 2003, the same day as the Istanbul
synagogue was attacked by suicide bombers, there was a major arson attack
on a French Jewish school in outer suburban Paris.
The list is endless and the curve is still rising in France: it markedly
now includes assault on Jewish people in the streets and an attack on
a Jewish youth club, during club hours. However, it should be noted that
incidents in Belgium have been far more violent against actual persons
(assault) as a whole, and more numerous too, in proportion to the
smaller Jewish and general population.
E. Epidemic proportions
Antisemitism has spread beyond Europe; attacks on Jews and their property
have been reported in Canada, Australia and the USA. Antisemitism has
reached such a proportion that it can no longer be brushed aside as incidental,
or minor. (For an overview of recent anti-Semitic incidents see "A
chronology of anti-Semitic attacks" in the English language Ha'aretz
online at http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=169625
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=15&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
and the AJC survey of American Jewry at http://www.ajc.org/InTheMedia/PressReleases.asp?did=1034
)
The "new" Antisemitism emanates from three major sources:
- The left wing,
- The far right wing,
- The Muslim and Arab world.
These constitute the three pillars of hatred towards the Jewish people
today. The events of September 11, together with the renewed violence
in the Middle East, have rallied these three ideologies around a central
anti-Semitic theme to form an axis of evil.
 Where
Left meets right
Socialist Worker or National Front?
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