'Dutch Jews suffered tenfold increase in anti-Semitic attacks during Gaza war'
Dutch NGO says volume of circulation of hate speech and mail was larger than in recent years.
By Cnaan Liphshiz Tags: Jewish World Israel news Dutch Jews anti-SemitismThe number of anti-Semitic incidents documented in Holland in January almost equaled the number of attacks recorded throughout the whole of 2008, according to the annual report by the country's watchdog on anti-Semitism.
The report by the Hague-based Center for Information and Documentation (CIDI) presents 98 attacks in January, as the Israel Defense Forces was attacking in Gaza. The total number of attacks in 2008 was 108.
Unusually, CIDI criticized the justice system and police for allegedly not acting with sufficient promptness to ensure safety and security, and for not imposing a ban on Holocaust denial.
The month of January saw a tenfold increase in anti-Semitic attacks compared to the average nine attacks per month in the previous year.
The number of physical attacks during January was nine. Only three such attacks were recorded in 2007, and five in 2008. The remaining attacks were of hate speech and mail.
CIDI says the volume of circulation of hate speech and mail was larger than in recent years. Most cases of physical harassment, intimidation and assault were the result of the actions of perpetrators of North African descent, said the report by CIDI, which has in the recent past been involved with dialogue between Jews and Muslims.
An analysis of hate-mails revealed most denied or downplayed the Holocaust by comparing it with Israel's attack in the Gaza Strip, which came in retaliation for the targeting of Israeli citizens by Palestinians.
The 43-page report also speaks of an increasing trend of anti-Semitic statements and incidents in schools. This included an incident in an Amsterdam school which suspended lessons after students chanted anti-Jewish slogans. A Rotterdam did the same, after pupils sang: "Hamas, Jews to the gas" and "Jews are murderers."
"Something must be done about the numerous holes in the processing of complaints by the police, states the report, which was compiled by Elise Friedmann and released last week. "The many current gaps in the system offer little prospect for effectiveness in the judicial approach to discrimination," she wrote.
The recommendations chapter of CIDI's report called for stricter implementation of limitations on hate speech. CIDI also said the police appear to be reluctant to process reports of anti-Semitism.
Finally, CIDI said proposals to decriminalize Holocaust denial in the Netherlands encourage Holocaust denial. In May, the leader of the Dutch liberal party, Mark Rutte, said that claiming the Holocaust did not occur "should be made possible."
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Peace in the middle east lies entirely upon whether or not the Arab/Islamic world accepts democracy. Once this happens, they will accept Israel. Until then, there will be no peace. This is a simple fact, just like the fact that democracies NEVER war with each other. And LORI IS 100% RIGHT!. Except that Jews in Europe already worship behind iron gates, concrete walls, bullet proof glass. It is a shock and pity to see this, but anyone who has been to Sabbath services in England, Rome, Frankfurt, Malmo, etc, will see this very clearly. Frankly, i don't know why any Jews would want to live or have their children live in such an atmosphere of fear and hatred? for what- a little better pay than here in Israel? is that worth living in a ghetto in your own city? just move to israel...
The demographic and political writing is on the wall for Europe. There is no good future for Jews there. It's hard to leave your home, I understand that, but hopefully Europe's Jews are at least preparing for the exit of their children. In a generation it will be impossible to be visible as a Jew in Europe, and Jewish life will have to be practiced behind iron gates, bomb-proof doors, and bullet-proof glass.
Why shouldn't Jews be permitted to live amongst Arabs in peace and tranquility? What is your suggestion with respect to the Palestinian madate to eliminate Israel as a state? Make nice?
"...the younger generation has no guilt feeling towards the War". You are so right Freddie, young people do not feel any guilt about the war, the Holocaust, the Devouring or other events before their birth. It is all ancient history to them!
The creation of Israel was supposed to normalize the image of Jews and thus act as a countermeasure to antisemitism in the diaspora. Instead the policies of Israel have had the opposite effect and the image of Jews supporting these policies is again a negative one. However, Israel doesn't give a hoot about it impact on the diaspora. David
There is a difference and mixing them up is only good for those who want to keep fighting for ever. Take the criticism serious and if there is a real increase in anti-semitism when Israel commits acts of extreem violence we should explain that Israel is not representing all the Jews in the world.
Dutch Jews suffer because they are very unfairly blamed for Israel's war-crimes. It's guilt by association and it's wrong. Zionism is a menace for world Jewry.
Since WW2 lots has changed in the relations between Jews and Dutch. The few surviving jews were regarded as special people and world jewry cultivated a Dutch myth of heroism. 60 years later we are getting a picture that jews are again the object of mass antisemitism. None of thes pictues are even close to the truth. Some 90% of Dutch Jewry was annihaleted and pity antisemitism has allways been there. What has changed is that some 5% of the Dutch population has an muslim background and that the younger generation has no guilt feeling towards the War. As a result people are more critical towards Israel. But in the end we should not be distracted by these few more incidents from the real question if and how we want to live together with the Arabs around us. We can enter again in Gaza or Lebanon but it will slove no problem. We can build more houses among arab population to appease those who want no peace but it will solve nothing. Let's concentrate on the big challenge: peace!