Israel’s annual antisemitism report: ‘Mein Kampf’ now German bestseller
Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Bennett has presented the Jewish state’s annual report on global antisemitism to the Israeli government. The report demonstrated that antisemitism is on the rise in several notable areas, particularly in Europe.
A cover of “Mein Kampf.” Credit: Wikimedia Commons
In his presentation, Bennett stated, “We must act with all available tools against current antisemitism to ensure the security of the Jewish people, in Israel and the Diaspora.”
Among other findings, the report—released ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27—highlighted results from a May 2017 Pew Research Center survey of 18 European countries which revealed that 30 percent of respondents would not want Jews as neighbors, while 20 percent are not interested in accepting Jews into their countries. In Romania and Poland—two European countries with relatively strong bilateral ties to Israel—22 percent and 18 percent of local respondents, respectively, would like to revoke the citizenship of local Jews.
More than 50 percent of refugees in Western Europe hold antisemitic views and opinions, according to the report, which noted a 30-percent increase in the number of antisemitic events in the U.K., with a 78-percent increase in physical attacks.
Israel’s report noted that a new annotated edition of Adolf Hitler’s antisemitic manifesto “Mein Kampf” has become a bestseller in Germany. Anti-Semitic incidents are also on the rise in that country.
In Ukraine, antisemitic incidents doubled, including dozens of acts of vandalism against memorials, museums and synagogues.
The report also said there has been a continuous increase in antisemitic discourse on college campuses, and that social media continues to emerge as a hotbed of antisemitic ideology.
“Anti-Semitism is the dangerous fuel feeding our enemies for generations,” Bennett stated. “We must ensure every Jew in the world can live a safe and proud life.”
Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky added: “Nearly fifteen years ago, I proposed a ‘3-D’ test to distinguish antisemitism from legitimate criticism of Israel, identifying delegitimization, demonisation, and double standards as the hallmarks of a new and pernicious form of antisemitism.
For years, we have seen figures on the left profess their love of Jews while attempting to undermine the existence of the Jewish state. Branding themselves as ‘anti-Zionists,’ these individuals draw on classic antisemitic tropes and often on modern interpretations of medieval blood libels to attack Israel, questioning its legitimacy, portraying it as uniquely evil, and holding it to a standard not applied to any other nation.
Today we are witnessing a new and alarming phenomenon: the rise and emboldenment of right-wing political parties in Europe that profess support for Israel while supporting such antisemitic measures as outlawing circumcision and kosher slaughter, as well as historic revisionism of the Second World War and the rehabilitation of Nazi soldiers. On the one hand, they proclaim that they stand with Israel, while on the other hand, they target and harm Jews. We see this in Austria, for example, where the local Jewish community has announced that it will boycott the official Holocaust commemoration ceremony in Vienna if ministers from the far-right Freedom Party attend the event. I have counted at least seven such political parties across Europe.
We do not need and should not court such double-faced support, on either the right or the left. We must remain vigilant and not permit antisemitism to go without opposition and protest under the cover of convenient diplomatic stances or intercommunal bridge-building. I note both phenomena with alarm and demand that we not play into the hands of antisemites, regardless of their political affiliations.”
JNS.org and J-Wire
With Holocaust Memorial Day soon upon us, I’ve been revisiting the Special Edition Version of the book. With authentic German footage uncovered in the archives of the SS Elite Guard, never before seen, suppressed by Goebbels himself as too strong even for his own savage propaganda..
The bewitchment of the masses beyond comprehension.
What a chilling account of the state of our world!
So much hatred. So much injustice. So much selfishness.
Those who read the Biblical record of the history of the Jews should not be surprised. But there is good news too.
The prophet Zechariah describes Jews as “the apple of God’s eye”. We poke at it enough and there will be a reaction. And we will only have ourselves to blame!
Shame on us for our stupidity.