Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., November 23, 2009 Kislev 6, 5770 | | Israel Time: 20:12 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 05:54 05/09/2009
Israel envoy: Spain must rein in Leftists' anti-Semitic attacks
By Michal Zebede
Tags: Spain, Israel news, El Mundo 

Israel's ambassador to Spain this week urged the government to control the "anti-Semitic attacks" emanating from Leftists and intellectuals, according to the Spanish news agency Europa Press.

At a conference in Toledo on Tuesday, Ambassador Raphael Schutz criticized certain publications for printing "comic vignettes of Nazi [character]."

His allegation targeted the leading Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, which is set to publish an interview with Holocaust-denier David Irving this Saturday. Earlier this week, in a letter to El Mundo, Schutz slammed the paper's intention to publish Irving's words alongside those of Holocaust experts.
Advertisement
"The fault is not of the anti-Semites, who are everywhere, but rather of the editors and directors who decide to publish them," Schutz told the audience.

His lecture, "Spain-Israel: The friend in the mirror," was delivered as part of a summer-long conference series, "From tolerance to freedom. On the development of Jewish life in Democratic Spain."

Schutz also criticized local intellectuls' attacks on Zionism, claiming their anti-Israel assertions were often endorsed and protected by the government wary of hindering freedom of speech.

Anti-Semitism in Spain, said Schutz, has reached alarming levels as a result of deep-rooted stereotypes, ignorance, and a lack of information.

He cited a study performed last year, in which 46 percent of secondary school students openly stated that they would not like to have a Jewish classmate.

The danger is that this ignorance and anti-Semitism are rampant not only among the general public, he said, but also amidst the intellectual elite.

However, "The Spanish government is not always anti-Semitic," Schutz said, adding "it has taken action against [anti-Semitism]," with the inclusion of Holocaust studies in school curricula, for instance.

Schutz ultimately called on the Spanish government to control these anti-Semitic voices.

As a solution to ending anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in Spain, Schutz proposed that the Israeli government devote funds to publicizing Israel's success and culture - including her medical advances and Tel Aviv's liberal mindset - in countries abroad.

Related articles:
  • Israel asks Spain to stop funding group that reported IDF 'crimes' in Gaza
  • Spain court drops 'war crimes' probe of 2002 IDF strike in Gaza
  • Jewish by candlelight - from Spanish converso to modern mixed marriage
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Click for anti-Semitism
    The excess of words on the internet makes distinguishing fact from fiction a difficult task.
    Obama duels Israel
    U.S. demand for settlement freeze may just be bid for achievement, writes Zvi Bar'el.
      1.   Antisemitism is in their culture 18:20  |  Semsem 04/09/09
      2.   Spanish left is in decadence 18:35  |  Jose 04/09/09
      3.   "Control your intellectuals" 18:40  |  David 04/09/09
      4.   Spaniards` narrow-mindedness 18:41  |  Autumn woman 04/09/09
      5.   Ridiculous 20:14  |  Froy 04/09/09
      6.   Looks like we are reurning to pre 2nd world war times 20:59  |  Michael Ben Raphael 04/09/09
      7.   Where is this Anti-semitism originating from.. 21:10  |  Ice 04/09/09
      8.   Israel is doing it`s best 23:17  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/09/09
      9.   Linthwaite really needs a reality check 23:49  |  Christopher 04/09/09
      10.   RE: Chris 23:55  |  judith 04/09/09
      11.   Chris Linthwaite is doing his best to spread anti-Semitism 00:00  |  Zvi 05/09/09
      12.   Chris 01:14  |  Ehud 05/09/09
      13.   Did Mr. Schutz just recently arrive in Spain....??? 02:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 05/09/09
      14.   # Chris 02:38  |  Manuel 05/09/09
      15.   Linthwaite: clear spelling / clear thinking. 04:01  |  Fred 05/09/09
      16.   Diplomatic gaffes? 05:06  |  Manny Goldstein 05/09/09
      17.   This ambassador is incompetent 08:35  |  RB 05/09/09
      18.   End anti-Semitism; long live anti-Zionism! 08:36  |  peacelover 05/09/09
      19.   antizionism is not antisemitism ! 09:02  |  just facts 05/09/09
      20.   Spain 01:04  |  Pedro 06/09/09
      21.   Hating the sin, not necessarily the sinners. 20:10  |  Luis 23/11/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Protea Hills
    A Retirement Village in Nature Nestled in the Foothills of Jerusalem
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    20:10 Report: Hamas delegation set to meet Shalit mediator in Cairo
    19:26 Netanyahu: We'll have public and Knesset debates on Shalit swap
    18:40 Rightist MKs: 'Cursed' deal for Shalit will bring terror to Israel
    19:48 Turkey Deputy PM: Our ties with Israel must improve
    19:54 Brazil: World should engage Iran to push for Mideast peace
    17:45 Netanyahu aide hopes PA peace talks will be renewed within weeks
    19:46 Report: Russian billionaire buys Hitler's Mercedes
    22:07 TV ROUND-UP: Is Shalit deal near? Peres, Mubarak talk peace
    17:17 Report: Columbia and Rutgers funded by Iran-controlled group
    16:38 Why do fewer Arab women have jobs in Israel than Saudi Arabia?
    16:37 Two settlers charged with attacking Palestinian shepherd
    19:29 Oil rises above $79 amid Iran war games to protect nuclear sites
    16:35 Israel looks toward IDF pullout from Lebanon border village
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved