Anti-Semitism flares in Greece

Los Angeles Times ^ | 2/21/11 | Anthee Carassava

[Nachum]

Athens —Nearly 70 years later, Athens, one of the last European capitals to commemorate those who perished at the hands of Nazi forces, finally has a Holocaust memorial. But since its dedication in May, synagogues have been targeted, Jewish cemeteries desecrated, Holocaust monuments elsewhere in Greece vandalized and the Jewish Museum of Greece, in the capital, defaced with swastikas. What's more, an alarming chunk of Athenians in November supported the election of a neo-Nazi candidate to the capital's city council.

[PieterCasparzen]

Many people connect conservatism and the right-wing with what they call the far-right, or ultra-right, which they say is fascism and anti-Semitism. Of course, this is inaccurate, since the farthest right of the far right, i.e., a pure conservative, would have a solid moral foundation for their values, which is mutually exclusive with fascism and anti-Semitism. Also, a pure conservative would value the preservation of the fundamental rights of the individual over any group or ruler, e.g., private property, free speech, protection from unlawful search and seizure, freedom of conscience, etc. The fascist is the exact opposite; they do not value the individual at all. The anti-Semite does not value individuals if they are Jewish; therefore being against a justice that is “blind”, where everyone is treated equally under the law. Both fascism and anti-Semitism are contrary to conservatism.

I like the end of this article referring to that wonderful old Biblical term scapegoat; someone is at least acknowledging that anti-Semitism is resorted to by those who try to find a someone else to blame for their problems. So many times anti-Semitism just evokes some parroting of the old false connection between anti-Semitism and some mythical “right-wing” faction, but, in truth, one could be anti-Semitic and still apply most any political or religious label to oneself.

I sometimes wonder whether left-wing and secular Jews really understand just the basic how and why of traditional Christian (not evangelical or Arminian) thought and have any concept of just how we are bound to any people who desire to live in peace and freedom. Undoubtedly far too few Christians understand much of Judaism and vice versa.

[Entrepreneur]

The “Nazi” Party was the “National Socialist” Party. Hitler and his fascist thugs were socialists. Like all leftists, communists, and other socialists, they favored strong, central, command and control power that dictated to the people.

The right, on the other hand, favors limited government and leaving people alone, as long as the actions of any one individual do not impede the rights of, or cause harm to another individual.

[montag813]

Nazis, Muslims. There is little difference. The Grand Mufti thought so too...