Antisemitism 2007 Forecast and Methods of Struggle

1. Antisemitism 2007 Forecast and Methods of Struggle 25.9.2007 New Jersey, US

2. Antisemitism 2007- Main Trends • Stability and even a decrease in the level of antisemitism in most countries • Increase in antisemitic activity only in a small number of counties • A rise in the antisemitic activity of the Radical Right • Continuing the struggle against antisemitism and Holocaust denial

3. Antisemitism 2007- Main Trends • Stability and even a decrease in the level of antisemitismin most countries • Increase in antisemitic activity only in a small number of counties • A rise in the antisemitic activity of the Radical Right • Continuing the struggle against antisemitism and Holocaust denial

4. After the rise in antisemitic activism post the second Lebanon war in 2006, antisemitic activism levels seem to stabilize, return to the usual annual average levels and even decrease in most countries • The decrease in antisemitic activism is evident in Latin America • and Western Europe, excluding Germany. • In spite of the decrease in the level of antisemitic events, • including violent ones , the level of antisemitic activity in Britain • remains the highest in Europe, only to be followed by France. • The number of antisemitic events in Hungary, Poland, Belarus • and the Baltic countries is low, but there is antisemitic atmosphere • in the public speech. • In Russia, the number of antisemitic events is relatively high • alongside an increase in the general levels of racism and bigotry. • This year, however, the government operated relatively forcefully • to enforce the law against hatred.

5. 02-03-2007 Prime Minister of Hungary, Ferenc Gyurcsany :” a terrible thing is Happening in Hungary. Never were there heard as many antisemitic expressions as there are in these days”

6. Antisemitism 2007- Main Trends • Stability and even a decrease in the level of antisemitism in most countries • Increase in antisemitic activity only in a small number of counties • A rise in the antisemitic activity of the Radical Right • Continuing the struggle against antisemitism and Holocaust denial

7. An increase in the level of antisemitic activity in Germany, Australia, USA, and the Ukraine. • In Germany, increase in antisemitic activity arises mainly out of the strengthening of the radical Right and the power of the Muslim community. However, the number of antisemitic incidents is still lower than in Britain and in France. • In Australia, an increase in antisemitic activity is also evident, mainly out of the strengthening of the radical Right and the power of the Muslim community (especially the Lebanese- Shiite), the pro-Palestinian radical Left and a high level of violence in general. • In the US there has been an increse in antisemitic incidents since August (of 30% according to NYPD). Most events resemble in their nature to the activity of the radical right (desecration of cemeteries and hatred posts).

8. Rabbi Gorevich, Frankfurt- September 2007 הרב גורביץ', פרנקפורט - ספטמבר 2007

9. Esther Weiss, Melbourne Australia December 2007 אסתר וייס / מלבורן, אוסטרליה - דצמבר 2007

10. Victoria, Texas, USA June 2007 ויקטוריה, טקסס / ארה"ב יוני 2007

11. A rise in the level of antisemitic activity in the Ukraine while shifting from spontaneous , unorganized activity to premeditated and organized activity. • Inclusion of antisemitic parties in the elections and giving out honor medals for historic nationalistic figures who participated in murder of Jews. • Massive distribution of antisemitic propaganda, some of which call for a physical damage to Jews. • MAUP academy ,which is a central body for distributing of antisemitic propaganda , is supported by the law . • While in the fore mentioned countries there is law enforcement, in the Ukraine the effect of recently established enforcement bodies has yet to be realized.

12. Chemielnitzki, Ukraine May 2007 חמלניצקי, אוקראינה מאי 2007

13. Rabbi Nachum Tamrin Zhitomir, Ukraine הרב נחום תמרין / אוקראינה Zhitomir הרב 2007

14. 68 of Hitler’s good qualities exhibition Kiev, Ukraine December 2007 תערוכת 68 התכונות הטובות של היטלר קייב / אוקראינה. דצמבר 2007

15. חילול אנדרטה לנספים בשואה אודסה / אוקראינה 10/8/2007 Desecration of a monument in the memory of those killed In the Holocaust Odessa, Ukraine 10.8.2007

16. Antisemitism 2007- Main Trends • Stability and even a decrease in the levels of antisemitism in most countries • Increase in antisemitic activity only in a small number of counties • A rise in the antisemitic activity of the Radical Right • Continuing the struggle against antisemitism and Holocaust denial

17. The Right-Wing parties across the world continue to accumulate political power following an increase in migration, financial instability, terror threats and anti globalization notions. An increase in the legitimacy of the view points of the radical right in the public speech: extreme viewpoints and messages are more widespread in the wide public and in governmental bodies which are not considered radical right. The legitimacy of standpoints which focus on bigotry can lead to an increase in antisemitic activity. The Radical Right-Trends

18. The Radical Right- Prominent characteristics of activity-2007 • Well known political parties and organizations, in some cases activate armed army units Magyar Garda,Hungary 2007

19. The Radical Right- Prominent characteristics of activity-2007 • Holding many protests and parades lead to an illusion of power although in reality the number of participants is low. The Russian Parade, St. Petersburg 2007

20. Antisemitism 2007- Main Trends • Stability and even a decrease in the levels of antisemitism in most countries • Increase in antisemitic activity only in a small number of counties • A rise in the antisemitic activity of the Radical Right • Continuing the struggle against antisemitism and Holocaust denial

21. The struggle of the authorities against antisemitic manifestations and Holocaust denial continues; However, it is not unified and effective enough in all countries • Even in countries that do have proper legislation the enforcement is not consistent nor systematic • This year, legislation and enforcement in Russia and Western Europe is wider. • Prime ministers show personal example and cooperation with the Jewish community • Continued activity of Jewish and international bodies (UN, EU) and prevention of boycott initiatives. • Still, there is no legal base forstruggle against Lithuania and Estonia (which belong to the EU) and in Belarus the enforcement is minor

22. 13-09-2007 President of France,Nicolas Sarkozy “I can confirm to you my determination to fight against every form of expression ,racism ,antisemitism isolation and intolerance more than ever” 16-05-2007 Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel : “ The new laws in the EU that abide all the countries that are members in it will strengthen the fight against racism and especially against antisemitism”

23. Continuing Trends

24. Terror Threats • Threats made by world Jihad groups to damage Jewish targets around the world and the threat of terror against Jewish communities still stays relevant in 2007. • The continued cooperation between Iran and Venezuela together with Iran’s broadening influence in Latin America menace the Jewish communities there. • Anti Israeli and antisemitic propaganda continues to spread in the Arab countries, especially in the Palestinian Authority and in the Gaza strip , even among children. It demonizes and delegitimises Jews and prepare the ground for violence against them.

25. Caricature showing a hand on which the star of David is drawn, pointing a gun and shooting at a Palestinian embryo. The title reads : (citation from the British Independent) “Israel has made the killing of Palestinian embryos in their mothers’ wombs its target” (Alshark newspaper, Qatar, May 14th 2007)

26. Description of the drawing on the cover: a star of David , on which appear pictures of the leaders of Zionism and the state of Israel, and from which appear the heads of snakes. The use of the snake as a symbol for the Jewish people and its leaders is a well known motif in antisemitic propaganda, widely used in the modern Muslim and Arabic world

27. A selection of antisemitic books that were sold in the international fair in Cairo (24.1.07-4.2.07), including “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion”

28. The Radical Left • Continued activity of Left winged bodies in North America, Western Europe, Australia and South Africa which focuses on boycotting attempts, protests, publishing articles in the media and activity on campuses. • The enhanced activity that followed the Lebanon war in 2006 is relatively calming down

29. Britain, 29.9.07 Cancellation of the Academic boycott of Israel.

30. Propaganda and Holocaust Denial • Most of the antisemitic activity was expressed in broad propaganda led by radical right groups and Islamic groups that at times collaborated with radical left winged groups. • The propaganda included classic and modern antisemitic content and a rhetoric of delegitimisation of the state of Israel as the state of the Jewish people. • Iran continues its incitation and Holocaust denial activity. This projected during the events of “World Jerusalem Day” (October 5th) and in Ahmadinijad’s visit to the US in August. • the internet continues to be a central platform for spreading antisemitism.

31. 5.10.2007 Mahmoud Ahmadinijad, in a World Jerusalem Day Parade in Teheran: “a broad referendum should take place among Muslims, Christians and Jews, which will determine whether the state of Israel will be transferred to Europe, Canada or Alaska” “ You have transferred the events which you call “holocaust” into something sacred, which cannot be interrogated” “Israel uses the excuse of the Holocaust in order to commit crimes”.

32. Forecast for 2008 • Continuing effective struggle across the world may contribute to the decrease in the width of antisemitic events • The contribution of the use of the internet for wide spreading of racist, antisemitic and terrorist propaganda will continue and even develop further • The strengthening of radicalright winged groups may

33. Recommendations • There should be constant follow-up and activity opposite international organizations and countries around the world towards an effective struggle against antisemitism by enhancement of legislation and enforcement • Enforcement of the cooperation and coordination between the Jewish communities and organizations and the authorities of the law, moderate religious bodies and organizations which support the struggle against hatred and incitation • Continued activity for the assimilation of the lessons of the holocaust and enlarging the education in this matter around the world

34. Prague, November 2007 פראג, נובמבר 2007

35. ליסבון, אוקטובר 2007 Lisbon, October 2007

36. Thank you www.antisemitism.org.il www.jewishagency.org

37. From the Center for Follow-up of Racism and Xenophobia of the EU • Definitions of Antisemitic Expressions Against Israel • Denying the rights of the Jews to self-determination such as: claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist entity. • Use of symbols and figures that relate to classical antisemitism (such as claims that the Jews killed Jesus or Blood Libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis. • Comparing Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. • Holding all Jews , wherever they may be, as responsible for the actions of the State of Israel. • Demanding that Israel hold to higher moral standards than those of any other democratic country.