USA: Anti-semitism on the rise, especially Western Europe

[Melech 9,900]

"JNS.org – The U.S. State Department’s annual report on international religious freedom, released on Wednesday by Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom Rabbi David Saperstein, describes that antisemitism continues “to be a major problem around the globe with increases in antisemitic incidents recorded in many countries.”

In particular, European countries such as France and Germany have experienced a rise in anti-Israel sentiment that often crossed over into antisemitism during the summer of 2014. Saperstein told The Jerusalem Post that the difference between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitism lies in holding Israel “to different standards than it would hold any other country.”

“Where it has often crossed the line is when groups try to argue that Israel is an inherently illegal state and doesn’t have a right to exist as a Jewish state here and takes actions to delegitimize those fundamental rights,” he said.

According to the report, there has been a 101-percent increase in antisemitic incidents in France, including “numerous cases of physical violence against the Jewish community where individuals were targeted and beaten and synagogues were fire bombed.”

But there has also been a positive response to the rise of antisemitism in Europe, the report said.

“After the February 14-15 terrorist attacks in Denmark that killed a guard outside a synagogue and a filmmaker at a free speech event, thousands of people of different faiths formed a human ring outside the synagogue in Copenhagen to ‘send a powerful statement’ that ‘Jews should be able to have their religion in peace.’ Swedes and Norwegians also formed a human ring around their capitals’ main synagogues in an inter-faith show of support,” stated the report."

http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/10/15/state-dept-report-on-religious-freedom-cites-rise-in-european-antisemitism/

 

Just realized i marked nearly the full thread

 

[Dayman 6,251]

Well, at least the Muslims get a break now maybe? /s

[Andy McQueen 4,484]

That's so, so horrible.  When will people finally learn from history? So much hatred, fear, prejudice, ignorance and most of all - stupidity. 

[TiphEret 1,320]

Why is the US commenting on what is going on in Europe? is there no antisemitic crimes in the US? 

[Didymus 34,380]

"a rise in anti-Israel sentiment that often crossed over into antisemitism"

"Saperstein told The Jerusalem Post that the difference between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitism lies in holding Israel “to different standards than it would hold any other country.”"

This is interesting, because from what I see, pro-Israeli's often present Israel exactly as a country that deserves a different standard than others. Like for example what you yourself, Simon, said about the refugee crisis: Israel doesn't need to take refugees even though you judged other countries for basically doing and saying exactly what you said about Israel.

In any case, anyone who thinks that attacking a random Jew is in any way a retribution for the legal crimes of Israel is obviously misguided. Still, it proves that a lot of people bear a severe anti-Israel hatred that should somehow be able to be expressed in society without choosing violence. If it's true that there is a direct link between anti-Israel sentiments and antisemitism it is the duty of every European society to make sure that it doesn't cross over by actually addressing Israel-related subjects and underscoring its political implications instead of its religious ones, which so often are used in pro- and anti-propaganda in unofficial communication.

[Melech 9,900]

"a rise in anti-Israel sentiment that often crossed over into antisemitism"

"Saperstein told The Jerusalem Post that the difference between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitism lies in holding Israel “to different standards than it would hold any other country.”"

This is interesting, because from what I see, pro-Israeli's often present Israel exactly as a country that deserves a different standard than others. Like for example what you yourself, Simon, said about the refugee crisis: Israel doesn't need to take refugees even though you judged other countries for basically doing and saying exactly what you said about Israel.

 

Israel is a country of refugees. Even right now the Yemenite Jews most likely will go to Israel. 

[Whispering 18,865]

Why is the US commenting on what is going on in Europe? is there no antisemitic crimes in the US? 

Because it is an annual report on international freedom from the US State Department.  Yes, there are, but it is not a pressing and growing problem like in other parts of the world. The US has other more pressing problems with racial relations. 

[Didymus 34,380]

Israel is a country of refugees. Even right now the Yemenite Jews most likely will go to Israel. 

You're acting like 100% of its population are refugees. That's not true. If you compare Germany's influx of reguees to another European country, I guess that looks like a country of refugees.

[Whispering 18,865]

This isn't surprising and I imagine it will increase from here on out. 

[Melech 9,900]

You're acting like 100% of its population are refugees. That's not true. If you compare Germany's influx of reguees to another European country, I guess that looks like a country of refugees.

No, what I tried to say is that Israel took in the past already tons of refugees. Around 1 Million MENA Jews fleed to Israel which doubled the population and in the 90's a lot of Soviet refugees were coming. 

[Didymus 34,380]

No, what I tried to say is that Israel took in the past already tons of refugees. Around 1 Million MENA Jews fleed to Israel which doubled the population and in the 90's a lot of Soviet refugees were coming. 

Well, ok. But how exactly does that prove that Israel doesn't need to take any more? You praise Germany for taking infinitely more refugees than neighboring European countries, but you're not saying that therefore Germany is justified in saying "ok, we've done enough" now. I mean, I don't know, this thread isn't about refugees - I just referred to it as an example of how people who support Israel actually do place Israel on a different level and therefore actually are able to contribute to anti-Israel sentiments.

[Melech 9,900]

Well, ok. But how exactly does that prove that Israel doesn't need to take any more? You praise Germany for taking infinitely more refugees than neighboring European countries, but you're not saying that therefore Germany is justified in saying "ok, we've done enough" now. I mean, I don't know, this thread isn't about refugees - I just referred to it as an example of how people who support Israel actually do place Israel on a different level and therefore actually are able to contribute to anti-Israel sentiments.

Israel already have a demographic problem. It will hit most likely  20.6 million inhabitants in 2060. Israel just don't have much space and needs to be the place for persecuted Jews. And who knows if during that time Palestinian right to return happen it will rise even more while European countries have a opposite trend and enough space. 

[Didymus 34,380]

Israel already have a demographic problem. It will hit most likely  20.6 million inhabitants in 2060. Israel just don't have much space and needs to be the place for persecuted Jews. And who knows if during that time Palestinian right to return happen it will rise even more while European countries have a opposite trend and enough space. 

Agreed

I don't disagree with the idea that Israel shouldn't take refugees, actually. lol

But like I said: I just used it as an example.. Anyway.

[TiphEret 1,320]

"a rise in anti-Israel sentiment that often crossed over into antisemitism"

"Saperstein told The Jerusalem Post that the difference between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitism lies in holding Israel “to different standards than it would hold any other country.”"

This is interesting, because from what I see, pro-Israeli's often present Israel exactly as a country that deserves a different standard than others. Like for example what you yourself, Simon, said about the refugee crisis: Israel doesn't need to take refugees even though you judged other countries for basically doing and saying exactly what you said about Israel.

In any case, anyone who thinks that attacking a random Jew is in any way a retribution for the legal crimes of Israel is obviously misguided. Still, it proves that a lot of people bear a severe anti-Israel hatred that should somehow be able to be expressed in society without choosing violence. If it's true that there is a direct link between anti-Israel sentiments and antisemitism it is the duty of every European society to make sure that it doesn't cross over by actually addressing Israel-related subjects and underscoring its political implications instead of its religious ones, which so often are used in pro- and anti-propaganda in unofficial communication.

Very well said! If people would learn that Jews don't equal Israelis and Israelis don't equal their Government (even if they contribute to it) it would be a big step achieved. Same goes with Muslim not equaling Palestinian or any countries automatically actually ...

Because it is an annual report on international freedom from the US State Department.  Yes, there are, but it is not a pressing and growing problem like in other parts of the world. The US has other more pressing problems with racial relations. 

Ah ok so that's not the only topic is that what you say? it's one part of the whole report? Interesting