A poor excuse from Europe (on anti-Semitism)

International Herald Tribune ^ | June 28 2002 | Abraham H. Foxman

[knighthawk]

NEW YORK Throughout history a constant barometer for judging the level of hate and exclusion in any society has been anti-Semitism - how a country treats its Jewish citizens. Jews have been persecuted and delegitimized throughout history because of their perceived differences. Any society that can understand and accept Jews is typically more democratic, more open and accepting of "the other." This predictor has held true throughout the ages.

During the Holocaust, Jews and other minorities of Europe were dispatched to the camps and, ultimately, their deaths in an environment rife with anti-Semitism. Nearly 60 years later in a modern, democratic Europe that presumably had shed itself of the legacy of that era, Jews have again come under attack.

During the past year and a half, a troubling epidemic of anti-Jewish hatred has produced a climate of intimidation and fear in the Jewish communities of Europe. Never, as a Holocaust survivor, did I believe we would witness another eruption of anti-Semitism of such magnitude, in Europe of all places. But the resiliency of anti-Semitism is unparalleled. It rears its ugly head in far-flung places, like Malaysia and Japan, where there are no Jews.

The rest can be found here

[knighthawk]

Ping

[facedown]

It is not surprising that in such an atmosphere Muslim residents feel free to attack Jewish students and religious institutions not because they are Israelis but because they are Jews.

This is the heart of the matter.