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European Jews planning counter-protests in response to anti-Israel, anti-Semitic actions By Cnaan Liphshiz In response to anti-Semitic incidents, threats and anti-Israel protests, European Jewish communities have decided to stage support rallies for Israel and its operation in Gaza. Rallies will take place in several cities in Holland and Belgium, as well as Rome, London, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin and Vienna this week. Advertisement At an Amsterdam demonstration last week against Israel's actions, a Dutch legislator, the Socialist Harry van Bommel, was filmed calling for "intifada" in order to "free Palestine." Dutch Jews held a pro-Israel rally in Hague on Friday. The Jewish community in Antwerp is planning a similar event today, in a park in the city's center. Last week, 500 Jews showed up to protest outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels. Belgian and Dutch Jewish leaders conceded that while the demonstrations may contribute to the rising tension, they "cannot afford" to remain silent, as one community leader from Holland said. Former Belgian MP Claude Marinower, who is one of Antwerp's leading Jewish figures, told Haaretz, "perhaps the situation is a bit more felt here because Antwerp and Brussels have such a small communities of 20,000 members each." Last week a Jewish home in one of Antwerp's immigrant neighborhoods was torched. Before that, a fire bomb was thrown at a synagogue in the town of Charleroi. In addition, assailants tried to set fire to a Reform synagogue in Brussels. Another synagogue in Brussels had its windows smashed. "I see a connection between these incidents and the inciting images that Arab television stations are showing," Marinower said. He nonetheless noted, "The situation has not reached a level that makes Jews too scared to venture into the street." The leader of Flanders' Jewish community, Eli Ringer, said the police are "very vigilant" in protecting the community. He also said police stopped a group of Muslims from staging an anti-Israeli demonstration in Antwerp's Jewish quarter last week. According to one report in the Belgian paper La Derniere Heure, some Muslim extremists are targeting prominent French and Belgian Jews, such as philosopher Bernard Henri-Levy. As a longtime supporter and initiator of Muslim-Jewish coexistence and dialogue programs, demonstrations are a last resort for Ronny Naftaniel, head of the Hague-based pro-Zionist Center for Information and Documentation Israel. "Unfortunately, the situation requires it," he said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   IDF warns Gazans The IDF is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths by warning of impending attacks. Pro-Israel rallies Thousands attend pro-Israel rallies across Europe, N.Y.

Read & React 'Hamas: Gilad Shalit's fate is no longer our concern' Responses: 45 IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza Responses: 28 Gideon Levy: My Gaza war hero is Al-Jazeera correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin Responses: 60 Medics: Israeli troops edge into Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinians Responses: 19 Editorial: Hamas acts cannot justify Israel's cruel war against Palestinian civilians Responses: 63 More Headlines 02:13 Egypt: Hamas agrees that fighting in Gaza must end 23:47 IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op 22:37 WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo 02:11 IAF bombs dozens of smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza Strip 19:32 Gaza rocket hits playground in Ashdod, amid barrage on Negev 17:34 IDF soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence 19:58 Olmert: Nobody will determine Israel's right to defend itself 21:48 Obama: Gaza war underscores need for immediate Mideast solution 22:11 WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 02:16 Joe the Plumber trades his wrench for a reporter's notepad in Sderot 00:50 Israeli's cross their fingers hoping 'Waltz with Bashir' brings home the Golden Globe 19:27 Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza 18:02 MI Chief: Hamas hurt in Gaza, but group unlikely to surrender 01:18 Report: Madonna receives death threats from Muslim extremists 17:55 ANALYSIS / Synching IDF and government over Gaza 21:03 Rights group: IDF using white phosphorous bombs in attacks on Gaza 21:50 MK Lieberman: Israeli Arab party and Hamas have same goal - to destroy Israel 21:53 Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes 20:04 Anti-Israel protesters try to attack U.S. consulate in Karachi 14:23 Gush Katif evacuees implore gov't to let them resettle Gaza 13:37 Red Cross will no longer escort Palestinian ambulances in Gaza 21:54 Report: Hamas official says Shalit's fate is no longer group's concern Previous Editions Select Day 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec

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