Muslims blamed for rise in anti-Semitism

The Age - Reuters ^ | Dec. 1 2003

[veronica]

A disputed European Union study on anti-Semitism blames mainly Muslim immigrants, pro-Palestinian leftists and the extreme right for a rising tide of hostility to Jews in Europe, according to published excerpts.

The rise in anti-Semitism is linked to the surge in Middle East violence since 2000 and made European Jews "hostages of Israeli politics".

The confidential study, parts of which were quoted by a European Parliament deputy and the Paris daily Le Monde, echoes official explanations often heard in France that attacks rose along with Middle East violence as angry Muslims in Europe took revenge on their Jewish neighbours.

The EU's European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, which commissioned the study, has denied media reports that the study was shelved because it singled out Muslims and pro-Palestinian groups as the main culprits.

A statement on the centre's website said the study, drawn up by the respected Centre for Research on Anti-Semitism at Berlin's Technical University, was withheld because it was substandard and would be reworked before being released early next year.

European Parliament deputy Francois Zimeray quoted the study as saying, "It can be concluded that the anti-Semitic incidents in the monitoring period were committed above all either by right-wing extremists or radical Islamists or young Muslims mostly of Arab descent."

The report said Europe's Jews were "closely associated with the state of Israel and its politics. It can be said that the native Jews have been made 'hostages' of Israeli politics."

Le Monde quoted the study as saying Europe's anti-Semitic wave hit a peak in 2002, with protests against Israel's harsh line towards the Palestinians sometimes ending with attacks on Jews.

[mewzilla]

FWIW, all the anti-Semites I know are Protestants.

[Imal]

A disputed European Union study on anti-Semitism blames mainly Muslim immigrants, pro-Palestinian leftists and the extreme right for a rising tide of hostility to Jews in Europe, according to published excerpts.

Strange, considering how move love Muslims outside Europe show for Jews.

[Savage Beast]

You can almost hear the voices echoing across the years, blaming "the Jews" for everything from war to plague to...you name it! Antisemitism--naziism--has raised its hideous head again in the 21st century--to the astonishment of much of the world--astonishment and incredulity. This horrifying fact must be faced. It is the only way to crush this monster, and the sooner it is recognized, the easier it will be to combat it.

[Redbob]

Muslims cause anti-Semitism?

How very convenient for the native French, Germans, and Brits for whom a deep and abiding anti-Semitism has been their dirty little secret ever since War II.

[js1138]

...French, Germans, and Brits for whom a deep and abiding anti-Semitism has been their dirty little secret ever since War II.

I think it goes back a bit before that. A few hundred years, perhaps.

[ImpBill]

Muslims pushing anti-semitism? Say it isn't true.

[Homer1]

FWIW, most of the anti-semites I know are Democrats

[vladog]

Duh, this study should rank with the study that showed that drinking lots of booze made people look better to each other.