Anti-Semitism on the Rise Worldwide
10:50 Nov 13, '06 / 22 Cheshvan 5767
by Hana Levi Julian
Hate crimes against Jews are increasing, not only in Europe but also in the United States, specifically in New York.
Anti-Semitic activities in the Big Apple, home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel, are on the rise, up by eight percent according to a report in the daily New York Post quoting New York City police department (NYPD) officials.
The number of attacks against Jews in New York City rose by 20 percent since 2005, from 39 to 47 in the period from January 1 to November 5.
Anti-Semitism in Europe is also rising, according to a report presented Sunday at the conference of the World Jewish Congress in Paris. It was the first time in 50 years that the WJC used Paris as a venue for its conference. Representatives from some 80 countries attended the event.
European Anti-Semitism Increasing
European Jewish communities in 25 different countries participated in the study by the European Jewish Congress which found that anti-Semitic sentiments in the European continent have doubled since the beginning of the summer.
According to Professor Dina Porat, co-coordinator of the conference, the research showed a significant change in the attitudes toward Jews in moderate sectors of the European population as well as in more extremist groups.
Among the data presented were example of anti-Semitic expressions pictured in caricatures published this summer in Norway, Mexico and the United Kingdom, in addition to those in Arab newspapers.
Porat heads Tel Aviv University’s Chaim Rosenberg School of Jewish Studies and the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of anti-Semitism and Racism.
Iranian Threats Adding Fuel to the Fire
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s repeated threats against the Jewish State have also had an effect on the general atmosphere of anti-Semitism in Europe, said conference presenters.
Congress President Edgar Bronfman cited Iran’s nuclear development activities as the most dangerous threat to the Jews and Israel since the Holocaust.
Roger Kukerman, President of the Committee Representing the Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) said that when Ahmadinejad vows to kill the Jews and “wipe Israel of the map”, the remarks should be taken seriously. Kukerman added that the only difference between the president of the Islamic Republic and the founder of the Nazi party is one of weapons: Ahmadinejad is suspected of having nuclear weapons. Adolph Hitler had none. |
