In a recent interview,

 http://www.eupolitix.com/NR/exeres/6EB37C9C-DAC1-4A06-A008-706BDD9C11B9

Israeli premier Ariel Sharon has officially declared Muslims in Europe a danger to Jews. Quote: "An ever stronger Muslim presence in Europe, is certainly endangering the life of Jewish people."

Sharon also restates the claim that there is no difference between anti-semitism and criticism of Israel, quote: "Today there is no separation. We are talking about collective anti-Semitism. The state of Israel is the Jewish state and the attitude towards Israel runs accordingly."

Although it is ignored by the media, there has been an important shift in Jewish attitudes, both in Israel and outside it. For centuries, Islam was not important in defining Jewish identity. Increasingly, hostility to Islam is becoming a defining element in Jewish identity. Muslims have become a sort of 'natural enemy' for Jews and for the State of Israel.

Israel, and a large number of Jews in Europe itself, are simply not prepared to accept the presence of Muslims in Europe. Although Sharon did not demand that the Muslims be expelled from Europe, that is the logical consequence of his attitude. It is obvious that this underlying attitude will push the European Jewish communities into political alliances with the anti-immigrant right. That is already visible in Flanders and Italy.