The President of the
World Jewish Congress, representing Jewish communities in 100 countries, Ronald
Lauder has said that European Jews “live in fear” amid a surge of anti-Semitism
once again. In reference to the 1930s, Lauder strongly believes history is
beginning to repeat himself and stresses the importance for the Unite States to
beware of this theme of anti-Semitism. With events such as the recent attacks
in France and Copenhagen highlighting this issue, he states that there is an
evident new and growing threat driven by radical Islam and terrorism sweeping
across Europe. He States, “The United States can and must speak loudly and
clearly to condemn this evil for what it is – the radical Islamic hatred of
Jews. To defeat this new flame of radical Islamic terror and survive… the
United States must lead.” However, many Jewish organizations in Britain have emphasized
that the current situation for Jewish People in Europe is very different in
comparison to the 1930s. Further, Jonathan Arkush,, the Vice President of The
Board of Deputies of British Jews, an affiliate of the WJC, told The
Independent that while Laudner was accurate in mentioning the significance of
modern-day anti-Semitism, “it’s important to be clear that the fear currently
experienced by Jews in some European countries, especially in France, is very
different from the 1930s… In those dark days, anti-Semitism was actively
fomented by the Nazi rulers and their helpers. Today, anti-Semitism is strongly
opposed and condemned by governments across Europe.” According to studies,
anti-Semitic attacks have more than doubled in the UK in the past year against
the backdrop of Israel’s military action in Gaza. Overall it was found that 1,168
anti-Semitic incidents occurred n 2014 – a 118 percent increase on the previous
year. Since the deadly attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices and Jewish
supermarket in Paris in January, France has prepared thousands of police troops
and deployed them to possible sights of danger. As Lauder concludes, “While we
welcome support from all quarters, including the United States, we Europeans
have the responsibility of leading the fight against anti-Semitism and racism
of every description in our continent, just as we are doing,” Lauder added.
It is evident that the
theme of this article is very different compared to the other articles
discussed. Further, it is mentioned that anti-Semitism is nearing the extreme
that it once was in the early twentieth century. It is important to consider
this current thematic difference in anti-Semitism, especially juxtaposed with
terrorism, however it is also critical to understand it has always been around.
Although this is no excuse for the continuation of these acts, and with
globalization and modern technology it has very much changed, I believe
something has to be done or enacted more than just putting up security in front
of Synagogues. In addition, and in retrospect, I disagree with what the organizations
and deputies within Britain were saying about how most governments condemn and
oppose anti-Semitism. Although I believe this and hope for this to be true, I do
not know how much they actually do about it. Moreover, although times were
different, during the Holocaust, almost no countries would take Jews who were
trying to leave before becoming exterminated by the Nazis, this including the
UK and the US. In addition, although this may be of importance to governments,
this idea shows the devaluing of genocide and extreme anti-Semitism once it becomes
a political problem. So does the government truly condemn it and follow through
with their beliefs, or is this a fallacy we hope to be true? As Rwandan genocides,
Darfur, and many other mass murders go on, if this was true, would they not be
placing their security guards there?
Jordanna Gisser
March 25, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment