Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., November 13, 2009 Cheshvan 26, 5770 | | Israel Time: 01:53 (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 |
Anti-Semitism spike due to increased reporting, says MP
By Cnaan Liphshiz

The man responsible for evaluating the fight against anti-Semitism in Britain says a recent jump in anti-Jewish incidents there is a result of increased reporting and not cause for alarm.

British Labour MP John Mann, who chairs the United Kingdom's All-Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism (PCAA), made the statements while visiting Israel this week, where he spoke before 180 members of the Israel, Britain and the Commonwealth Association at their Annual Balfour Dinner in Tel Aviv.
Advertisement

In July, the Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism and provides security for the Jewish community in Britain, said that it had recorded 609 anti-Semitic incidents across the U.K. from January to June, 2009 - a record figure that was more than double the 276 for the corresponding period last year.

CST and Britain's Zionist Federation linked the hike to Israel's Gaza offensive in January.

But Mann disputes there has even been a rise. He says victims of anti-Semitic harassment are just more likely to file a report now - a "direct consequence" of the work of his committee.

"We are not seeing more physical assaults, we are seeing more reporting of abuse and harassment, previously seen as below the threshold for reporting," he said in an interview with Anglo File at the home of the British ambassador to Israel, Tom Philips.

But the CST report says that in the first half of 2009, Britain saw 77 racially-motivated assaults on Jews, compared to 44 in first half of 2008. CST director of communications, Mark Gardner, told Haaretz "there is no doubt" attacks in the United Kingdom are up.

"We hope that reporting rates have improved in recent years, but sadly there is no doubt that the number of hate crimes has also risen substantially," Gardner said.

Other European countries have seen an increase in the number of reported anti-Semitic incidents since January.

In 2006, the PCAA issued a comprehensive report on anti-Semitism in Britain, which included recommendations for stricter police intervention, more prosecution, greater interfaith dialogue and more education against anti-Semitism.

"The report is very comprehensive and uses fine language, but most of the recommendations have not been implemented," said Jonathan Hoffman, co-vice chairman of Britain's Zionist Federation.

Mann says progress has been made, naming as one example the recent conviction of two British nationals who uploaded anti-Semitic propaganda to a non-British Web site.
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
IDF 'organ harvesting'
Swedish journalist who wrote controversial article is 'rethinking' his views.
Israel boycott rejected
Norway University averts academic boycott of Israel in unanimous vote.
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
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
23:33 Goldstone: Peres attack on me was 'specious,' ill-befitting his post
21:56 PA official blames Hamas for holding up elections
21:55 Sarkozy urges Abbas to renew peace talks with Israel
20:48 Norway university rebuffs motion for Israel boycott
19:20 Diplomats: Iran began second nuclear plant 7 years ago
21:12 U.S. Army: Fort Hood shooting suspect charged with murder
20:53 Haaretz's Yossi Melman, Zvi Bar'el win prestigious journalism award
23:50 TV ROUND-UP: Olmert slams Goldstone report; 'Jewish terrorist' charged
22:49 Peres invites Brazilian soccer player Ronaldo to Israel
21:08 Mazuz: If AG role is split, ministers will do 'whatever they want'
01:15 Olmert: Groups using Goldstone Gaza report to attack us are 'hypocritical'
13:20 Report: IDF organ harvesting reporter 'rethinking' story
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