Notes from a conference call on Global anti-Semitism Conference Call with Rabbi Andrew Baker 2:30 pm August 6, 2014 Director, International Jewish Affairs, American Jewish Committee Reported by David Shtulman The line between anti-Israel sentiments and anti-Semitism has been obliterated. Prime Minister of France has expressed that anti-Semitism is an issue of national concern. It is inconceivable that Jews should leave France out of fear. Yet the demonstrations continue. Similar sentiments have been expressed by the German government. There is great growth in Arab and Muslim populations in Europe over recent years and most anti-Semitism is coming from these populations, something European governments are unwilling to admit. Jewish communities conflated with Israel and hatred of Israel has become a hatred of all Jews. It also comes from both the extreme right and the extreme left. There are areas of Europe where Jews are advised not to wear any demonstrably Jewish symbols. Last November a European agency, FRA, (Fundamental Rights Agency?) found in a poll that 21% of European Jews say they avoid Jewish events and places for fear of anti-Semitism, 33% avoid wearing Jewish symbols and 75% of Jews fear they will be the victim of an anti-Semitic incident during the coming year. Jewish communities in Europe are spending very large percentages of their communal budget on physical security; for instance, Stockholm spends 25%. In Brussels, the government considers the threat level to synagogues equivalent to the threat level to the Israeli embassy. Many European Muslims go off to fight as Jihadists in the Mideast and come back home as trained militants representing a real threat to Jewish institutions. How governments will deal with the violent demonstrations we have seen over the last month is a real question. For the most part, government responses have been inadequate whether because of lack of resources or a feeling of political correctness. Lack of confidence in government protection is encouraging Jews to leave. In France the problem is described as tension between two ethnic communities as if each is equally guilty and Jews were attacking Muslims equally with Muslims attacking Jews. We are also seeing significant growth by extreme nationalist political parties in many countries in Europe. France, Hungary and Greece stand out. In Eastern Europe there is still reluctance to acknowledge Holocaust history. In Western Europe there are efforts to limit circumcision and kosher slaughter which threaten the continuation of Jewish life in Europe. OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Berlin Declaration of 2004 states that events in the Middle East should never be allowed to become anti-Semitism in Europe. But that is exactly what has happened. OSCE marks the tenth anniversary of this declaration in November. Unfortunately, European governments have not addressed the situation. Congress is urging the administration to participate in this conference at a very high level. It is a good issue to contact your congressional delegation about. Biased broadcasting can increase the problem, but even with the best broadcasting the problem of anti-Semitism is very serious. The Catholic Church has been outspoken in recent years in confronting anti-Semitism in Europe. Much of the worst anti-Semitism is coming from the most secular regions. Jihadist movements like ISIS are just as anti-Christian as they are anti-Jewish. Strong anti-Israel positions held by certain governments and media make the Jewish communities feel they will be held accountable for any Israeli action regardless of their own views. There is a terrific feeling of vulnerability. There are no easy solutions, but we must be aware of the trends that are emerging.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:35:24 +0000
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