European mix of Anti-Semitism

Submitted by Teri (United States), Dec 11, 2003 at 08:34

I have some interaction with Europeans and I have to say that the influx of Muslims into their countries has definitely 'refreshed' anti-semitism in the European community. Now they want to show contempt for Jews because they are taking on Arab hatred of Israel.

Their 'reasons' for opposing Israel and supporting the Arab position are pretty transparently 'excuses'.

We had a German girl in our home as an exchange student and it was appalling to see the lengths she would go to to avoid any contact or conversation with a Jew. In speaking with her mother it was easy to see that her aversion to Jews was learnt at home and is centered around her firm belief in injustices to Arabs by Israel (but nothing she could articulate well).

All I had to do was note how unlikely it would be that tiny Israel, ringed by gigantic Muslim nations long obsessed by hatred of Jews, would be the aggressor. I suggested she look at a map and think about what she was suggesting. It is a ridiculous conviction to hold, looking at a map of that region of the world; to think that Israel could be the problem.

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