The Jewish paper Ha-aretz just reported that anti-Semitism is on the rise again in Europe. Their findings show that acts of an anti-Semitic nature for the first quarter of 2009 have surpassed all of 2008 in numbers. Countries such as Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Holland, England and France have shown a critical surge of anti-Semitism in response to the Gaza conflict of late December 2008/January 2009. Additionaly, the financial collapse doesn’t help the situation as Ha-aretz remarks:
The report cites the reaction to January’s Israel Defense Forces operation in Gaza as one of the key triggers of anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish communities in Europe. In addition, the current financial crisis is giving rise to age-old anti-Semitic stereotypes suggesting “Jewish control of the global financial system.”
EJC members from all over Europe, who gathered in Brussels for the special session, reported a significant rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents. The head of the Jewish community in Finland, Rony Smolar, said its 25,000 members are subject to repeated harassment due to its support for Israel.
“Public opinion links Israel with the local Jewish community, which turns us into enemies,” Smolar said, adding that his country has seen “a dramatic rise” in the number and severity of anti-Semitic attacks. Smolar said that Molotov cocktails have been thrown into synagogues and that Jewish cemeteries in Sweden and Norway have been vandalized. He also cited a shooting incident in which two Israelis were wounded by a gunman in Denmark during Operation Cast Lead.
“Cartoons likening the Star of David to the Nazi swastika have become commonplace in Scandinavia,” Smolar said.
Richard Prasquier, the head of the umbrella organization representing the Jewish community in France (CRIF), also pointed to a rise in anti-Semitic incidents. “France is home to the largest Jewish community in Europe and the largest Muslim community in Europe,” Prasquier said, hinting that the sizable immigrant community from North Africa is most responsible for instigating the anti-Jewish violence. European politicians have shied away from blaming Muslim immigrants for attacks against Jews.
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The Jewish people have been the scapegoats of humanity for centuries. Any local, national or global crisis will eventually incite some people to shift the blame on Israel and/or the Jewish people. It was only a matter of time before we were blamed for the economic crisis. Saddly, as the article reports, political correctness forces people to shy away from exposing the real problem.
O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
For, behold, Thine enemies make an uproar; And those who hate Thee have exalted themselves.
They make shrewd plans against Thy people, And conspire together against Thy treasured ones.
They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
For they have conspired together with one mind; Against Thee do they make a covenant:
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