Critics of Israel 'fuelling hatred of British Jews' -- Observer article
kjnm | 03.09.2006 09:58 | Analysis | Anti-racism | World
Critics of Israel 'fuelling hatred of British Jews'
MPs demand action against rising abuse, harassment and even violence
Ned Temko, chief political correspondent
Sunday September 3, 2006
The Observer
A group of prominent MPs, alarmed at the rise of anti-semitism in Britain, will accuse some left-wing activists and Muslim extremists this week of using criticism of Israel as 'a pretext' for spreading hatred against British Jews.
The charge is made in a hard-hitting report - by MPs from all three major political parties - which will be unveiled at a Downing Street meeting with Tony Blair on Thursday.
The report is published in the wake of an alarming increase in verbal harassment, abusive emails and letters, and even violent assaults on British Jews. The number of incidents that took place in July, which came in the middle of escalating violence in the Middle East, was the third highest on record.
The 10-month inquiry into anti-semitism in Britain was chaired by the former Europe Minister Denis MacShane and included the former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne.
Details of the report are being kept confidential until its formal release. However, a draft of the document - seen by The Observer - reveals that incidents of verbal abuse, harassment and violence against Jewish community members and their institutions is reaching worrying levels.
It urges more consistent action by police, prosecutors and the government. All have failed to tackle antisemitism with the same determination as other forms of racism, the report suggests.
The report voices particular concern over 'a minority of Islamic extremists who are inciting hatred towards Jews', and it criticises recent moves by left-wing academics to boycott links with Israel. Though emphasising the right of people to criticise or protest against Israeli government actions, it says 'rage' over Israeli policies has sometimes 'provided a pretext' for anti-semitism.
'Calls to boycott contacts with intellectuals and academics working in Israel are an assault on academic freedom and intellectual exchange,' the report says, adding that the response of university vice-chancellors to such campaigns has been patchy.
Pro-boycott activists have angrily rejected allegations of anti-semitism and accused their critics of using the charge to ward off political criticism of Israel.
MacShane, speaking last week on a BBC radio programme devoted to Jewish community issues, said British Jews were right to 'shudder' at the 'aggressive' comparison of Israeli policies with the Holocaust. He also spoke of a 'witch's brew' of anti-semitism including the far left and 'ultra-Islamist' extremists who reject Israel's right to exist.
Among the report's dozens of recommendations is a call for the government to adopt the broad-ranging European Union definition of anti-semitism - including activities targeting 'the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity' with 'symbols and images associated with classical anti-semitism'.
It also recommends greater security support for the community, which spends millions of pounds on fencing, CCTV cameras and other measures to safeguard synagogues, schools and other communal institutions. 'It is not right for any group of British citizens to dig into their own pocket because they feel there is not adequate protection for their right to express themselves religiously or culturally,' MacShane said.
What they say
Jonathan Sachs, Chief Rabbi
Anti-semitism used to be a product of national cultures. Today's is global, communicated by satellite television, email and the internet. It is not broadcast but narrowcast, targeted at specific audiences, sometimes in Arabic. Its breeding ground is in radical Islamist circles, and its targets - synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres, Jews in the street - often have nothing to do with Israel.
Anthony Lerman, executive director, the Institute for Jewish Policy Research
Anti-semitism today is a serious problem for Jews and for society as a whole. But what of the vexed question of whether anti-Zionism or singling out Israel for extreme criticism is anti-semitic? While very many Jews feel a deep attachment to Israel, it is the opposite of clear thinking to assume that all expressions of anti-Zionism are simply a cloak for, or a form of, anti-semitism. It drains the word of any useful value, confusing a strongly held political view with prejudice against a whole people.
Mitch Simmons, campaigns director, Union of Jewish Students
When a Jewish student waves their family goodbye, their parents have an additional concern: will they be a victim of anti-semitism? University campuses, perhaps more than anywhere else, have been the laboratory for the changing vocabulary of contemporary anti-semitism. If a Jewish student feels it necessary to wear a baseball cap on campus to hide his skullcap for fear of physical or verbal assault, then that campus can no longer be considered a safe space for all students.
MPs demand action against rising abuse, harassment and even violence
Ned Temko, chief political correspondent
Sunday September 3, 2006
The Observer
A group of prominent MPs, alarmed at the rise of anti-semitism in Britain, will accuse some left-wing activists and Muslim extremists this week of using criticism of Israel as 'a pretext' for spreading hatred against British Jews.
The charge is made in a hard-hitting report - by MPs from all three major political parties - which will be unveiled at a Downing Street meeting with Tony Blair on Thursday.
The report is published in the wake of an alarming increase in verbal harassment, abusive emails and letters, and even violent assaults on British Jews. The number of incidents that took place in July, which came in the middle of escalating violence in the Middle East, was the third highest on record.
The 10-month inquiry into anti-semitism in Britain was chaired by the former Europe Minister Denis MacShane and included the former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne.
Details of the report are being kept confidential until its formal release. However, a draft of the document - seen by The Observer - reveals that incidents of verbal abuse, harassment and violence against Jewish community members and their institutions is reaching worrying levels.
It urges more consistent action by police, prosecutors and the government. All have failed to tackle antisemitism with the same determination as other forms of racism, the report suggests.
The report voices particular concern over 'a minority of Islamic extremists who are inciting hatred towards Jews', and it criticises recent moves by left-wing academics to boycott links with Israel. Though emphasising the right of people to criticise or protest against Israeli government actions, it says 'rage' over Israeli policies has sometimes 'provided a pretext' for anti-semitism.
'Calls to boycott contacts with intellectuals and academics working in Israel are an assault on academic freedom and intellectual exchange,' the report says, adding that the response of university vice-chancellors to such campaigns has been patchy.
Pro-boycott activists have angrily rejected allegations of anti-semitism and accused their critics of using the charge to ward off political criticism of Israel.
MacShane, speaking last week on a BBC radio programme devoted to Jewish community issues, said British Jews were right to 'shudder' at the 'aggressive' comparison of Israeli policies with the Holocaust. He also spoke of a 'witch's brew' of anti-semitism including the far left and 'ultra-Islamist' extremists who reject Israel's right to exist.
Among the report's dozens of recommendations is a call for the government to adopt the broad-ranging European Union definition of anti-semitism - including activities targeting 'the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity' with 'symbols and images associated with classical anti-semitism'.
It also recommends greater security support for the community, which spends millions of pounds on fencing, CCTV cameras and other measures to safeguard synagogues, schools and other communal institutions. 'It is not right for any group of British citizens to dig into their own pocket because they feel there is not adequate protection for their right to express themselves religiously or culturally,' MacShane said.
What they say
Jonathan Sachs, Chief Rabbi
Anti-semitism used to be a product of national cultures. Today's is global, communicated by satellite television, email and the internet. It is not broadcast but narrowcast, targeted at specific audiences, sometimes in Arabic. Its breeding ground is in radical Islamist circles, and its targets - synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres, Jews in the street - often have nothing to do with Israel.
Anthony Lerman, executive director, the Institute for Jewish Policy Research
Anti-semitism today is a serious problem for Jews and for society as a whole. But what of the vexed question of whether anti-Zionism or singling out Israel for extreme criticism is anti-semitic? While very many Jews feel a deep attachment to Israel, it is the opposite of clear thinking to assume that all expressions of anti-Zionism are simply a cloak for, or a form of, anti-semitism. It drains the word of any useful value, confusing a strongly held political view with prejudice against a whole people.
Mitch Simmons, campaigns director, Union of Jewish Students
When a Jewish student waves their family goodbye, their parents have an additional concern: will they be a victim of anti-semitism? University campuses, perhaps more than anywhere else, have been the laboratory for the changing vocabulary of contemporary anti-semitism. If a Jewish student feels it necessary to wear a baseball cap on campus to hide his skullcap for fear of physical or verbal assault, then that campus can no longer be considered a safe space for all students.
kjnm
Comments
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who causes anti semitism?
03.09.2006 10:28
The reason anti semitism is mounting is the fault of the israeli government and the actions of jewish organisations like the above. they who have been so keen to link 'anti zionism with 'anti semitism"? two seperate things, one the critique of a people, a form of racism, and the other a criticism of a political ideology. But, anytime a criticism of israel's policies is mounted, then the memory of the holocaust comes up again.....it is the zionist agencies that have misused the memory of the holocaust to justify every action of israel. Unfortunately, it has become a fact that anti semitism and anti zionism have become linked in popular discourse. it is the task of the left, of the islamic and jewish organisations to make clear the difference between anti semitism and anti zionism. but let us be clear, the actions of israel are wrong, are in the wrong, and they will be criticised nevertheless. there can be no compromise with a brutal state of israel just because some middle class middle aged jews in south london feel a little upset. they should look in the mirror and see clearly what israel represents and has done.
who is the prime anti semite in the world today? Dubya....
ismail
What they mean .....
03.09.2006 11:24
when they say Zionists they mean Jews
when they say Mossad they mean Jews
k
The same should be being said of 'Islamophpobia'
03.09.2006 13:41
A group of prominent MPs, alarmed at the rise of anti-semitism in Britain, will accuse some left-wing activists and Muslim extremists this week of using criticism of Israel as 'a pretext' for spreading hatred against British Jews.
The charge is made in a hard-hitting report - by MPs from all three major political parties - which will be unveiled at a Downing Street meeting with Tony Blair on Thursday.
Now change it so...
A group of prominent MPs, alarmed at the rise of Islamophobia in Britain, will accuse some right-wing activists and extremists this week of using criticism of Islam as 'a pretext' for spreading hatred against British Muslims.
The charge is made in a hard-hitting report - by MPs from all three major political parties - which will be unveiled at a Downing Street meeting with Tony Blair on Thursday.
Why are we not seing more of THIS type of reporting in the UK today?
Only in the last couple of days we have had Police admitting that approx. 1000 Muslims are under 'surveillance' to investigate terroist links. I also learned from an article in the New York Times - (that was supressed in this country, that the recent terror threat was in no way as advanced as the govt/media reported it to be - it was NOT imminent)
I have heard/read reports of a flight from Manchester where the passengers refused to allow the plane to fly until 2 'asian' men were taken off of the flight. I heard a similar story that happened on the London Eye.
I am neither Jew, nor Muslim, nor Christian. I am a human being, and as such I extend to all fellow human beings respect in their views to freely worship who or what they want to worship.. An it harm none..
I am not a pagan either.
Only until we stop allowing ourselves, as a society to be split on sectarian, religious, race, even down to our sexes, will these problems be solved.
I don't agree with the demonisation of any sector of society - barring greedy self-serving people who care not for people, but rather their own selfish gain.. And, indeed, who is to gain from such hate spreading? Extremists, governments with their own Imperialist agendas & arms manufacurers.
Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, atheists, agnostics, all races & peoples should be free to persue their lives and freely express themselves as human beings without harrasment from govt, state, media or hate-groups. Especially if they are just doing that, living their lives, not plotting to take another life or property.
Going back to the article in question, it seems clear that references to the Holocaust SHOULD be made if the govt or state to which these critisms are directed can be seen to be acting in a way that mirrors the way the National Socialist Party in Germany c1938-9 was acting in the run up to WW2.
This can be borken down into:
demonising a particular sector or people of society
acts of aggresion against these people, including depriving them of basic human rights.
Not allowing a state, or people to exercise it's own sovereignty of it's people.
Clearly the Israelli state & the American & British govts MUST be critisised for the recent events in Lebanon & Palestine & let's not forget Iraq and Afganistan here & there should be a clear difference between critism of this nature and racism & hate directed against a people or religion.
I am glad and grateful to those at Indymedia in their contribution to a freer media, where frank and honest discussion of events and themes pertinant to us as human beings can be carried out.. hopefully more and more away from the 'clamour' of the 'moral majority'.
We need to throw of this fear the media & govts would instill in us against our fellow humans. We should also vigourously resist attacks against our freedoms and our humanity.
Peace to all.
Dave
Dave Atkins
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