Jews in Europe Report a Surge in Anti-Semitism

[question everything]

BRUSSELS — Fear of rising anti-Semitism in Europe has prompted nearly a third of European Jews to consider emigration because they do not feel safe in their home country, according to a detailed survey of Jewish perceptions released Friday by a European Union agency that monitors discrimination and other violations of basic rights.

(snip)

The Vienna-based agency, in a lengthy report on its findings, did not reach any conclusions about the cause of a perception among European Jews of rising bias. But the results of its survey suggest that prejudices traditionally associated with far-right nationalist political groups like those that collaborated with the Nazis during World War II have now spread to other segments of society and are increasingly driven by conflict in the Middle East rather than homegrown bigotry.

One-third of respondents said they considered statements critical of Israel as anti-Semitic.

(snip)

The survey gathered information from nearly 6,000 Jews living in Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia and Sweden. The data was collected online by respondents who identified themselves as Jewish, but Mr. Kjaerum said the process nonetheless provided a “fairly representative” sampling of views.

Jewish groups in countries like France have long warned that Europe’s economic crisis, lingering prejudice and a surge of Muslim immigrants often hostile to Israel have stoked a revival of hostility toward Jews. But the new survey, released on the eve of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht violence against Jews in Nazi Germany, gives the first detailed snapshot of Jewish perceptions of the problem across Europe.

(snip)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/09/world/europe/jews-in-europe-report-a-surge-in-anti-semitism.html

[libodem]

1. May they all stay safe and protected

It is infuriating for any individual to suffer bigotry based on some stupid pre-existing ideas based on sterotypes and prejudice. Jews have historically suffered enough!

Israel may be lead by a conservative militant right now, but taking it out on any individual, in whatever country is sick and ugly and wrong.

[question everything]

2. In contrast to the rest of the Middle East, Israeli governments have been democratically elected

Either way, the two topics: anti-Israel and anti-semitism too often are interchangeable.

I remember during the war in Lebanon of 2006, there were two groups of protesters in Miami, I think. And one woman, her head covered with hijab, was screaming at the pro-Israeli group: "Go back to the ovens..."

[libodem]

3. That couldn't be a more hateful

Thing to scream. Wow! I'm stunned.

[ismnotwasm]

4. That is so horribly sick

And heartbreaking

[Behind the Aegis]

5. This is sadly unsurprising.

It can easily be seen and confirmed in the rise of certain political parties throughout Europe. There is also a fair amount of anti-Semitism disguised as "criticism" of Israel or Zionism. Though certainly some exist who really don't understand the pernicious anti-Semitism, there are many who know exactly what they are doing and still persist in spreading hate against Jews. I just saw a few weeks ago a left-leaning publication utilizing historical anti-Semitic imagery to a Jewish business. Sadly, too many excuse it as "being over sensitive" or some other nonsense.

Calling a Jew a "kike" or "yid" has mostly gone out of style in most circles, but anti-Semitism is so much more than that and I have said similar things in regards to homophobia, racism, and sexism, and rarely does the concept get challenged. However, when I have made the same point about anti-Semitism, I get 'shouted down.' It is one the bigotries often "excused".

"Those who forget/ignore the past are doomed to repeat it." Some of us are quite aware of it and are simply waiting. Is that pessimism, cynicism, or simply realism?