A report on global anti-Semitism by the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism at Tel Aviv University, together with the European Jewish Congress, showed that while anti-Semitism in the current decade remains below levels of the 1990s, and that 2008 was relatively stable compared with recent years, global anti-Semitic incidents jumped remarkably during January's Operation Cast Lead against Hamas in Gaza.
The economic crisis which began in the summer triggered anti-Jewish reactions, most notably in eastern Europe and the Arab world, but not violent activities.
The study says that "with the start of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip on December 27, a wave of anti-Semitic manifestations swept the world. These included both violent activities (arson attacks on synagogues, assaults on Jewish individuals, desecration of cemeteries, and vandalizing of Jewish property and Holocaust monuments) and verbal and visual expressions (insults, threats, gruesome caricatures, and stormy demonstrations). Although most of these activities featured traditional anti-Semitic motifs, their use was more extreme, intensive, and vociferous than was hitherto known. Muslim activists and organizations worldwide, and especially the radicals among them, showed a high degree of mobilization and were the moving force behind the demonstrations, together with leftist and human rights activists, and to a lesser degree extreme right circles. Jews and former Israelis also took part in some of the rallies, mostly in the US."
The study notes that previous norms of respect regarding Jewish losses in the horror of the Holocaust appear to be loosening, mentioning "abuse of the Holocaust" as a tool against Israel. "The equation of Israelis/Zionists/Jewish supporters of Israel with Nazis became a recurring theme in demonstrations and individual expressions, especially in the West, which appeared to have abandoned completely post-World War II taboos on denigrating the Holocaust. This outright equation − Magen David=swastika − which symbolizes ultimate evil, cruelty, and disregard for human values, is intended to underline that if Nazism, the monster of the modern era, has no right to exist, then the Jewish state and its supporters, too, should be eliminated. "
The study's authors asked why the anti-Semitism, and comparisons with Nazis, caught on so fast and with such zeal.
One answer proposed is that "The equation of Israel, a Jewish state, together with its Jewish supporters, with Nazis and Nazism, transfers the yoke from Europe's neck to that of Israel and the Jews. The resulting sense of relief, especially in Europe, the focal point of World War II, is reflected in the massive demonstrations and banners carried by the participants. "
Another proposed answer was widespread ignorance of the Holocaust and of the history of Zionism. The younger generations have only a "vague knowledge about mass killings that took place during World War II", which makes the Holocaust seem similar to many other massacres that have happened since, and paves the way for an easy acceptance of the equation with Nazis.
The study also notes that about 20 million or more Muslims live today in central and western Europe, and the equation of Jews with Nazis "serves the radicals among them both as a political tool against the existence of Israel and the weakening of its supporters, and as an additional instrument for the building of a strong, cohesive Muslim identity around a common goal." Protests against the analogy or against the calls to kill Jews were scarce and weak. Western democratic Europe is torn between its liberal values − including political correctness − and anxiety that the growing Muslim presence in every sphere of life will get out of hand.
One conclusion is that the anti-Zionism of 2009, which is being expressed with such frightening hatred and intensity, serves as a focal point for various parties and is essentially anti-Semitic.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 21, 2009
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