This week was another busy week for conferences on anti-Semitism.
In Malmö, the Swedish government convened the International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and the Fight against Anti-Semitism, which adopted the definition of international anti-Semitism that is now the basis for efforts to identify anti-Semitism, even when it is anti-Israel, and to deal with it in legal, educational and other ways.
It is important to note that the way in which the Swedish government organized the conference pointed more than anything to the seriousness of the Swedish left-wing government in dealing with the issue of rising anti-Semitism in Sweden itself, especially when it comes to anti-Israel anti-Israelism.
In Brussels, the heads of European Jewish communities gathered at the invitation of the Association of European Jewish Organizations (EJA) for a meeting, which dealt with the rise of anti-Semitism throughout the EU, mainly in the shadow of the Corona plague. The meeting sharply criticized the EU Anti-Semitism Strategy Paper published a week ago by the European Commission for refraining from addressing the most relevant anti-Semitic issues, mainly the growing tendency in EU countries to ban Jewish traditions (slaughter and circumcision) in the name of respecting rights and rights.
The meeting also presented a comprehensive study of antisemitic prejudices in 16 EU countries (including Britain, before leaving the EU), commissioned by the League for Action and Defense - a Jewish organization based in Budapest. The findings of the study clearly indicate the depth of anti-Semitism in today's Europe. 21 percent of all respondents in all countries believe that the interests of Jews in their countries are different from the interests of the general population, that there is a secret Jewish network that influences politics and the world economy when these views are most prevalent in Greece, Poland and Hungary.
In addition, 17 percent of study participants believe that Jews will never fully integrate in their countries of residence. Percentages of respondents believe that Jews have a large influence in their countries of residence. Their countries.
It is important to note that in two of the countries where "traditional" antisemitic prejudices are most common, Greece and Poland, according to the study, currently have very small Jewish communities (in Poland with a population of about 38 million people live about 15,000 Jews, in Greece with a population of about 11 million About 6,000 Jews).
Classical anti-Semitism in the East, modern in the West
When it comes to anti-Israel anti-Semitic views, one can clearly see the shifting of the center of the problem from Eastern and Central Europe to the West, although Greece - and to a large extent Poland as well, continue to "lead" in the presence of antisemitic prejudices. 27 percent of all study participants stated that when they think about Israel's policy, they understand why people hate Jews (in Greece 45%, in Austria and France 37%); 26 percent of all study participants said that Israel treats Palestinians like the Nazis (Greece 50%, France 37%, Spain 35%); A quarter of all respondents agreed with the statement that policy towards Israel justifies an international boycott (Greece 43%, Austria 39%, Poland 33%); And 15 percent said that because of Israeli policy they feel more and more disgusted with Jews (Austria 53%, Greece - 27%, Poland 26%). In the context of the issue of Israel, it is important to note that in recent years Greece and Austria have had very pro-Israel governments, which have led to a significant tightening of relations with Israel. It seems that the policy does not yet have an impact on public opinion in these countries.
One of the EU countries that was not included in the "Defense and Action League" study is Ireland.
EU membership, in which anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism have become almost an official policy.
But just now a study has been published, conducted by the independent British journalist-researcher David Collier, who specializes in the issue of anti-Israel anti-Semitism.
The findings of the detailed report, which as expected did not receive any media coverage in Ireland, are appalling. Collier states unequivocally that in Ireland anti-Jewish racism is common in the corridors of government, in stark contrast to Britain and the United States.
This racism is spread from the top of the political pyramid to the people, and does not result from popular pressure.
Collier gives examples of Irish politicians who are obsessed with attacks on Israel and Zionism, and treat them in a completely different way from their attitude to any other international issue.
Posts claiming "Hitler was wrong"
"Irish politicians share content that is clearly untrue from the accounts of extremist anti-Semites on social media," the study states. "One of the members of the Irish parliament liked a post in which it was written that Hitler was not wrong. The argument that the accusations of anti-Semitism were intended to silence criticism of Israel is used to defend racist anti-Jewish views. And providing a platform for antisemitic ideology, including Holocaust denial.Anti-Semitism is a primary motivation in anti-Zionist activity.Anti-Zionists see Zionists as global manipulators, thieves, bloodsuckers and people who work to destroy the world, to implement their evil agenda.This is anti-Semitism "Traditional Christian anti-Semitism plays an important role in implementing the anti-Semitic problem in Ireland, and Christian NGOs are helping to spread anti-Semitism. In anti-Zionism, the far right and far left are united," Collier said.
The extent of official anti-Semitism in Ireland is evidenced by the following recent case: Deputy Speaker of the Irish Parliament, Katherine Galway - an independent politician affiliated with the left, asked a question to Irish Foreign and Trade Secretary Simon Cuban that it was a formula: Of the State of Israel does not consent to Israel's treatment of the Palestinian communities as part of its efforts to achieve Jewish supremacy?
And Galway emphasizes that Israel's efforts to perpetuate Jewish supremacy over the Palestinians lead to the creation of apartheid.
"Jewish superiority" is a common and common term in the mouths of anti-Semites, who try to present Judaism as a racist religion, believing in such a racist doctrine of the Nazis, a belief implemented as a policy in Israel.
Instead of proving Galway about her racist remarks, the Irish foreign minister responded to the query while completely ignoring her antisemitic nature.
"Nobody wants to be perceived as defending Israel"
The Cuban minister is expected to pay a visit to Israel in November, the Irish minister's first visit to Israel in years. Relations between the two countries are so bad that the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem has considered the possibility of closing the embassy in Dublin as part of budget cuts, as there was no prospect of a change for the better. "The atmosphere in Ireland towards Israel is poisoned," says a pro-Israel activist who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of being harmed in his workplace. "No one wants to be perceived as defending Israel. There is popular support for Israel, There is no such hatred of Jews in Ireland that is seen on the streets of Paris, London and Berlin. "Anti-Semitism is directed at Israel. It is a left-wing anti-imperialist approach that Ireland is adopting because of our history.""The British occupied us, and now the Israelis are doing it to the Palestinians."
It is difficult to assume that Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will confront his Irish counterpart at their planned meeting on the issue of anti-Israel anti-Israelism in his country.
But the Irish foreign minister is also expected to meet with President Isaac Herzog, whose family has the closest ties to Ireland.
Herzog must take advantage of this connection to compel the Irish to face, at last, the problem of their state anti-Semitism.
After all, Ireland is a member of the International Alliance for Holocaust Remembrance Forum and in doing so is committed to the definition of international anti-Semitism, adopted by the Alliance, and clearly states when criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic.
And if Herzog's efforts go awry, the State of Israel should seriously consider severing relations with Ireland, where anti-Israel anti-Semitism is an institutional matter.
At other times the US administration could have been mobilized for a joint fight against the Irish phenomenon, the EU could not be trusted in this matter.
Israel must defend itself with the proper determination.
