Jump in anti-Jewish attacks in Europe
Peggy Hollinger in Paris | 02.02.2007 10:50 | Anti-racism
Anti-Semitic attacks in Europe have risen sharply in the months since Israel’s summer war with Hizbollah in Lebanon, according to the World Jewish Congress.
The UK saw a particularly sharp increase in the number of incidents, with 132 anti-Jewish acts recorded in 33 days in July and August, according to a report published on Sunday.
France too, with the world’s third-largest Jewish community outside Israel (after the US and Russia), saw a 79 per cent increase in anti-Semitic acts since July.
The warning came as experts on anti-Semitism said the phenomenon was starting to move into mainstream politics in Europe. Dina Porat, head of Tel Aviv university’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism, said: “We can define the summer of 2006 as the period in which anti-Semitism really entered the mainstream.”
Thomas Hammarberg, commissioner for human rights at the Council of Europe, also warned that the groundswell of support for extremist rightwing views was bringing racism and anti-Semitism into mainstream European politics. “Other political parties have had to adjust, not to be outflanked,” he said.
Meanwhile, Edgar Bronfman, the WJC’s president, hit out at the “weak, divided and unfocused” approach of the world’s main powers in failing to impose economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
“Neutrality [on sanctions] is not an option . . . In this century danger lurks behind every turn.
“No nation and no people can feel safe and secure,” Mr Bronfman told a meeting of the WJC board in Paris on Sunday.
The meeting brought together more than 100 Jewish leaders from around the world.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
France too, with the world’s third-largest Jewish community outside Israel (after the US and Russia), saw a 79 per cent increase in anti-Semitic acts since July.
The warning came as experts on anti-Semitism said the phenomenon was starting to move into mainstream politics in Europe. Dina Porat, head of Tel Aviv university’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism, said: “We can define the summer of 2006 as the period in which anti-Semitism really entered the mainstream.”
Thomas Hammarberg, commissioner for human rights at the Council of Europe, also warned that the groundswell of support for extremist rightwing views was bringing racism and anti-Semitism into mainstream European politics. “Other political parties have had to adjust, not to be outflanked,” he said.
Meanwhile, Edgar Bronfman, the WJC’s president, hit out at the “weak, divided and unfocused” approach of the world’s main powers in failing to impose economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
“Neutrality [on sanctions] is not an option . . . In this century danger lurks behind every turn.
“No nation and no people can feel safe and secure,” Mr Bronfman told a meeting of the WJC board in Paris on Sunday.
The meeting brought together more than 100 Jewish leaders from around the world.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Peggy Hollinger in Paris