Always there
On Holocaust Memorial Day it was reported that anti-Semitic attacks against property and people doubled around the world in 2009. This is attributed to the IDF Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in January, 2009.
One of the worst indicators is that the far-right anti-Semitic, anti-Roma Jobbik party in Hungary won 16% of the votes in the recent election. Also, the BNP in Britain is expected to gain further votes in the general election in May and the same is true in France with Le Pen's party. Given the history of Europe and the tendency to make protest votes by voting against the incumbents and the established parties, it can be expected that the far right will receive about 5-20% of the vote in any election in any European country. So we shouldn't be surprised when anti-Semitism rears its ugly head, it has been there all the time and will continue to be a feature of European politics and society.
But, the main concern of the Euopean far right parties is currently not with the Jews (they got rid of most of them) but the Muslims. The irony is that the far right is anti-immigration and the large numbers of Muslim immigrants has stoked a right wing reaction. This is especially true in the Netherlands, where Geert Wilders Party is strongly anti-Muslim, after the murder of Theo van Gogh and other actions, but is also pro-Israel. They see Israel as the bastion fighting Muslim-based terrorism and wish to emulate it. Although the Muslims are strongly anti-Semitic they don't vote with the far right they vote with the far left that also tends to be anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. But, the left-wing parties have tended to not do so well in recent eletions, even though they make the most noise in demonstrations and anti-Israel actions. It is in reaction to them that many Europeans have tended to go to the right.
So European Jews are squeezed between the rising Muslim tide and the rising right-wing reaction. Truly the best place for them is Israel, that's why we are here. Certainly in modern, multi-cultural, liberal Europe, the Jews should have a place. In Germany this is certainly true where the State, for obvious historical reasons, is making every effort to attract Jews and support and defend Jewish communities. But, I for one cannot understand how Jews could go and live there. Now it seems more European Jews are coming to Israel, many visiting and some buying apartments and some staying. Israel was not hit badly by the economic depression, and has recovered well, and the housing market here has remained strong. There is widespread building of apartments in Israel, so there is a lot of choice available. Come and see!
One of the worst indicators is that the far-right anti-Semitic, anti-Roma Jobbik party in Hungary won 16% of the votes in the recent election. Also, the BNP in Britain is expected to gain further votes in the general election in May and the same is true in France with Le Pen's party. Given the history of Europe and the tendency to make protest votes by voting against the incumbents and the established parties, it can be expected that the far right will receive about 5-20% of the vote in any election in any European country. So we shouldn't be surprised when anti-Semitism rears its ugly head, it has been there all the time and will continue to be a feature of European politics and society.
But, the main concern of the Euopean far right parties is currently not with the Jews (they got rid of most of them) but the Muslims. The irony is that the far right is anti-immigration and the large numbers of Muslim immigrants has stoked a right wing reaction. This is especially true in the Netherlands, where Geert Wilders Party is strongly anti-Muslim, after the murder of Theo van Gogh and other actions, but is also pro-Israel. They see Israel as the bastion fighting Muslim-based terrorism and wish to emulate it. Although the Muslims are strongly anti-Semitic they don't vote with the far right they vote with the far left that also tends to be anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. But, the left-wing parties have tended to not do so well in recent eletions, even though they make the most noise in demonstrations and anti-Israel actions. It is in reaction to them that many Europeans have tended to go to the right.
So European Jews are squeezed between the rising Muslim tide and the rising right-wing reaction. Truly the best place for them is Israel, that's why we are here. Certainly in modern, multi-cultural, liberal Europe, the Jews should have a place. In Germany this is certainly true where the State, for obvious historical reasons, is making every effort to attract Jews and support and defend Jewish communities. But, I for one cannot understand how Jews could go and live there. Now it seems more European Jews are coming to Israel, many visiting and some buying apartments and some staying. Israel was not hit badly by the economic depression, and has recovered well, and the housing market here has remained strong. There is widespread building of apartments in Israel, so there is a lot of choice available. Come and see!
posted by Jack Cohen at 5:55 PM
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