European Jewish Congress

1
European Jewish Congress Under the patronage of t
he Czech Presidency of the European Union
30 March 2009 Symposium Building together
the future of Europe- the fight against
antisemitism, defending European values and
co-existence Antisemitism in Europe Michael
Whine Director, Government International Affai
rs Community Security Trust UK Consultant on D
efence Security European Jewish Congress
2

• Antisemitism in Europe
• Data collection difficulties at Government
  level
  
• -- Despite 2003, OSCE Maastricht (Foreign
  Ministerial) Agreement to monitor and publish
  data on hate crime, amended in 2004 to
  include antisemitism 1997 European Commission
  Regulation, extended in 2003, to monitor and
  publish data on racism and antisemitism.
• -- Lack of training for first responders
  (police).
  
• -- Public prosecutors untrained to prosecute
  hate crime, even if hate crime recognised in
  criminal code.
  
• -- Data collection remains within restricted
  category where collected as element of state
  security services monitoring of extremism.
  
• Data collection difficulties at community level
• -- All but a minority of communities have
  capacity to monitor and analyse data at
  scientific level.
  
• 3. Incident levels stabalising at high level
  temporary surges caused by tension between
  Israel and its neighbours.
  
• 4. Decline in incidents in 2007 and 2008,
  caused by lack of tension.
  
• 5. Changing nature of incidents

3
Antisemitic Incidents 2001- 2008
4

• Antisemitic Incidents during Operation Cast lead
  (27 December 27 January)
  
• 1. Protests and riots in Western Europe many
  initiated and coordinated by the Muslim
  Brotherhood, but also involving other Muslims,
  Far Left and sympathisers.
• 2. Highest level of antisemitic incidents ever
  recorded within a four week period.
  
• 3. Reactions more violent and antisemitic than
  hitherto primarily in Western Europe
  
• Equation of Israel with Nazi Germany
• Blood libels
• Arson and other attacks against communal
  institutions and Jewish owned businesses (e.g.
  Starbucks in UK)
  
• Overt support for Hamas and Hizbollah
• 4. United Kingdom
• 250 incidents between 27 December and 27 January,
  many involving damage (e.g. Starbucks), attacks
  on police.
  
• Attempted attacks on Israel Embassy and Hillel
  students hostel
  
• Arson (failed) attack against Brondesbury
  synagogue
  
• 5. Germany

5
Recorded Antisemitic Incidents During Operation
Cast Lead
27 December 2008 27 January 2009
Communities use different categories and it is
not possible to place incidents exactly.
6
One London protestor (10/1/09) wore a monstrous
mask and ate a baby covered in fake blood, in a
clear revival of the antisemitic blood libel
which was central to medieval persecution of Jews
7
Anti-Israel demonstration London 10/1/09
8
At a demonstration in London on 10/1/09, Azzam
Tamimi, of the rally organisers the British
Muslim Initiative, said three times to a cheering
crowd Today, we are all Hamas
9
Hamas Emblem, London
Hizbollah Flag, London
10
Graffiti in north London 30/12/08
11
Placard with Star of David London 10/1/09
12
Arson at the Jewish cemetery of Malmö
Arson at synagogue in Helsingborg