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Study cites dramatic rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe By Assaf Uni BRUSSELS - The number of anti-Semitic incidences in Europe in the first three months of this year exceeds the total number of such occurrences during all of 2008, according to a report issued by the European Jewish Congress. The findings were announced by EJC president Moshe Kantor during a special session of the European Parliament devoted to the subject of anti-Semitism on the continent. Advertisement The report cites the reaction to January's Israel Defense Forces operation in Gaza as one of the key triggers of anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish communities in Europe. In addition, the current financial crisis is giving rise to age-old anti-Semitic stereotypes suggesting "Jewish control of the global financial system." EJC members from all over Europe, who gathered in Brussels for the special session, reported a significant rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents. The head of the Jewish community in Finland, Rony Smolar, said its 25,000 members are subject to repeated harassment due to its support for Israel. "Public opinion links Israel with the local Jewish community, which turns us into enemies," Smolar said, adding that his country has seen "a dramatic rise" in the number and severity of anti-Semitic attacks. Smolar said that Molotov cocktails have been thrown into synagogues and that Jewish cemeteries in Sweden and Norway have been vandalized. He also cited a shooting incident in which two Israelis were wounded by a gunman in Denmark during Operation Cast Lead. "Cartoons likening the Star of David to the Nazi swastika have become commonplace in Scandinavia," Smolar said. Richard Prasquier, the head of the umbrella organization representing the Jewish community in France (CRIF), also pointed to a rise in anti-Semitic incidents. "France is home to the largest Jewish community in Europe and the largest Muslim community in Europe," Prasquier said, hinting that the sizable immigrant community from North Africa is most responsible for instigating the anti-Jewish violence. European politicians have shied away from blaming Muslim immigrants for attacks against Jews. The EU's human rights arm, the FRA, told the gathering that increases in anti-Semitic incidences have been reported in Holland, Belgium, France and Britain. An organization representative said the reasons for the phenomenon must be studied and examined. Bookmark to del.icio.us   On to you, Netanyahu As new coalition sworn in, Netanyahu pledges to seek lasting peace with Arab world. Olmert's legacy Olmert's 39 months in office were characterized by military crises, decisions to use force.

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Mideast conflict in 27 words or less Responses: 139 'Dozens of Israeli jets and drones attacked in Sudan' Responses: 81 Netanyahu: Israel seeks lasting peace with Arabs Responses: 51 Akiva Eldar: Obama is waiting on Netanyahu Responses: 69 Arab League backs Sudan's Bashir on arrest warrant Responses: 30 More Headlines 23:48 Netanyahu sworn in as Israel's prime minister 23:18 Netanyahu: Israel seeks lasting peace with Arabs 22:46 Olmert's departure / A prime minister without a legacy 21:24 Barak welcomes IDF decision to end Gaza misconduct probe 17:40 Two Palestinian gunmen said killed by IDF in Gaza 20:49 U.S. and Iran diplomats meet briefly in rare sign of thaw 19:46 Palestinian conductor who played for Holocaust survivors banned from Jenin 21:55 Frank Stein, 'the face of Australian Jewry in Israel', dies aged 52 22:13 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 12:16 'Dozens of Israeli jets and drones attacked in Sudan' 14:17 Czech foreign minister 'not happy' with Israeli policies 22:37 Americans for Peace Now: Netanyahu coalition doesn`t bode well for peace 20:07 ANALYSIS / Obama is waiting on Netanyahu 11:25 Yossi Brent? 'The Office' to get Israeli version 12:37 Canada judge upholds ban on British pro-Hamas MP 15:10 Noam Shalit: Netanyahu must outdo Olmert's attempts to release Gilad 12:17 Clinton: Obama government to drop 'war on terror' from lexicon 19:10 Open source developer Kaltura wins TheMarker start-up award Previous Editions Select Day 31 mar 30 mar 29 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 22 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar

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