Jewish Scene
In Spain, anti-Semitism is new leftist trend
Ignacio Russell Cano
Published: 20.07.06, 14:21
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31. Leftist ant-Islamism
Elian Gonzales ,   Phoenix, AZ   (07.20.06)
Anti-Muslim and anti-Islam is useful to the Muslims. Where it dos not exist, Muslims manage to create or excite it.
32. A response to David from Barcelona - #24
Kate ,   London, UK   (07.20.06)
If the venom and prejudice which are the hallmarks of David's tirade are anything to go by then the Jews of Spain are in even worse trouble than the article indicates. One wonders if Spain's fragile economy will survive an American economic boycott.
33. Ever heard of the boy who cried wolf?
Ellen Prescott ,   Southsea, Hampshire   (07.20.06)
It seems to me that anybody who doesn't unyeildingly support the Jewish cause is a rabid anti-Semite. Well, I hate to break it to you, in Europe we shan't be silenced by preposterous cries of 'anti-Semitism' simply for opposing the state of Israel's policies against the Palestinians and the Lebanese. By labelling people anti-Semites for pointing out Israel's crimes against humanity, most recently Israel has killed 300 Lebanese civilians in the last seven days, dropped millions of kilograms of bombs on Beirut, Lebanon's airport, and other infrastructure. Citing Israel's endless aggression, which usually accounts for dozens of deaths, is not 'hatred of Jews' and saying so only makes true anti-Semitism - which is seen in its most virulent form amongst the right wing - seem less appalling. To me, anti-Semitism is not a problem in today's world. Jews are in the highest positions of power and influence in practically every Western nation. The true discrimination is against the poor Muslims in Europe's capitals and the genocide against the Iraqis, Palestinians, and now Lebanese by 'Western Nations.'
34. Why are the NY Times and LA Times backing Hezbollah?
Jack Bauer ,   Los Angeles USA   (07.20.06)
Everyone in the U.S. and abroad should drop their subscriptions to the New York Times and the LA Times immediately. The editors of those papers have been sympathetic and actively supportive of terrorists for several years now.
35. Pathetic attempt
Paul ,   Austin, TX USA   (07.20.06)
Yet another rabid-but-hollow attempt to discredit a decent politician who doesn't subscribe entirely to the racist, Arab-hating, zionist agenda. Get with the program! Zionism does not and will not ever speak for the diaspora. Polish the Titanic's brass on your own.
36. All Hearsay and No Quotations
Sunny ,   Tampa, FL USA   (07.20.06)
This is a terribly written article. There are no sources to back up any of these assertions and no quotes that indicate any Anti-Semitism. Somebody needs to go back to Journalism school!
37. Zapetero
Brian ,   Des Moines, IA USA   (07.20.06)
Since Bin Ladin decided the last election in Spain, the Country has slid back 100 years in sensibility. Under Zapetero's leadership, the Spaniards will drift back a Century both economically and politically on the World stage. The poor Spaniards really screwed this one up big time. And now Anti Semites? Sad times ahead for Spain. Good luck to the people
38. Un declaration and Zionism
Michel ,   canada   (07.20.06)
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379, adopted on November 10, 1975 by a vote of 72 to 35 (with 32 abstentions), equated Zionism with racism, ..No more Comments needed!
39. Zapatero wants strife
Anna ,   America   (07.20.06)
Socialists - committed ones - want social unrest; it's a way to cement power. Foment hatred among groups and use that as an excuse to institute un-Democratic policies. Spain isn't alone; Russia refuses to condemn Islamic Nazism, as you appropriately call it, because it receives huge revenue from places like Iran, where Russians have been helping them build a reactor for years. It won't bite the hand that feeds it. Many of these countries feel that if they play the game, they won't be targeted. What they don't realise is that with these religious fascists, it's only a matter of time before they too are forced to submit to militant Islam - or pay the consequences. It's convenient to use a handwave and blame the encroachment of this religious fanaticism on Israeli and Western hegemony and avoid dealing with the real problem, which is fascistic Islam.
40. typical zionist propaganda
Shmuel ,   NY, USA   (07.20.06)
As previous posters noted, Zionists need division and hatred in order to hope to attract more immigrants to fight endless useless bloody wars. This is what they are doing here by fear-mongering about Spain, and, as always, it is incorrect and wrong. Esav Soneh LiYaakov is a fact. No politician should be judged by his appearances at rallies, because there are very few, if any, real friends of Jews amongst the leaders of the nations, and, it is irrelevant in any event, as friendship of Israel has nothing to do with friendship to Jews.. As long as the Zionists have not intervened as they did in Arab countries in the 40s and 50s, and prevented Jews of foreign countries of going about their daily affairs, there is no need to condemn the Jews living in those countries. And moving to Israel is certainly not the answer, and, most likely, creates a bigger problem, just as Zionism has created problems since its conception by that atheist herzl. Though Eretz Yisrael is a holy land and loved by G-d, the political entity of Israel and the resulting facts on the ground leave much to be desired. Jews pray for the welfare of their host country and its rulers, and are happy to simply live in peace and be allowed to worship, work, etc. in whatever country they happen to be in.
41. Quotes?
T C Selander ,   Minneapolis, USA   (07.20.06)
This is a poorly written article. The author claims that the PM has made anti semitic remarks but fails to quote any. Accusations like this must be backed up with hard facts.
42. In Spain?
T Wanner ,   Philadelphia, USA   (07.20.06)
Are you kidding singling out Spain? The Bush-hating Euro-leftists in America are as Anti-semitic as can be. Pro Palestinian, anti-American, Anti-Jew. Dont believe me, just check out the liberal blogs. Last week on a talk program on CSPAN between 2 liberals regarding the Lieberman - Lamont primary election and the first 2 calls supported lamont cause Liberman "is a Jew". It quickly deteriorated into Jew bashing from there.. American Jews who are largely liberals had better wake up to the fact.
43. reply # 24
Not clinton ,   Los Angeles, USA   (07.20.06)
Typical bigoted hateful anti-semite and anti-american european. When are the american people and Israel going to realize that these people wants to harm us? I love the Eorpean hypocracy, Idiots like this Spanish Buffoon, love to critcize Israel, but forget the 1000 years of murder, torture and harrassment directed at jews in europe. It is time to stand up and declare Europe as a hostile enemy.
44. If you think, like the rest of the world, that...
Chris ,   Seattle, WA, USA   (07.20.06)
...destruction of an entire nation in response for kidnapping two soldiers is just a little bit excessive, you're an anti-semite. Right. Nobody's buying it. Something that distant from reality makes one wonder whether the author is either insane or has some other agenda. Hmmm....
45. Poorly written article
mad reader   (07.20.06)
I have no idea what this article is about. Is someone supporting Hamas or Hizbullah an antisemite? Did this PM or Moratinos say something against Jews or are they anti-Israel? Is their anti-Zionism couched in language that suggests a deeper problem with Jews? Ynet seems to be reprinting this article or op-ed from another source but it just isn't a very well written article. It also strengthens those idiots who always scream and shout that they are falsely accused that their anti-Israel sentiments equal anti-Zionism. You can do better, Ynet.
46. spanish prez
jerry ,   usa   (07.20.06)
the spanish people are intelligent except for their president the horrific attack against them was undertaken by the same islamo=fascists except from a different counry the people of spain should encourage the israelis and muzzle their pesident
47. Ignorance
Nathan ,   Martinez USA   (07.20.06)
It's hilarious how everyone in Europe seems to think this is all a black and white issue. Believe it or not both sides are at fault here. Israel does nothing...endless rockets kill their children. Israel responds to terrorists...innocent people die. However, the leftist idea that the jews should just "pack up and leave" is hysterical. Perhaps they should all move to Spain and vote out the socialists?
48. The Jews are dumb to live in Europe
Roger ,   USA   (07.20.06)
Europe/Eurabia has always been a nasty place for the Jews.
49. Ironic
Vulcangrrl ,   Oakland, USA   (07.20.06)
It's so ironic that your talkback rules prohibit slander - have you considering following that rule yourself? There is absolutely no evidence given here of anti-Semitic behavior by Spain or its Prime Minister, just a lot of hearsay, innuendo, and unsubstantiated rhetoric. You should be ashamed of using such propaganda techniques to inflame those stupid enough to fall for them (and there seem to be plenty of those, unfortunately, judging by many of the comments).
50. Not only Spain, Norway too
Abid   (07.20.06)
Jews in Norway have been told not to wear the kippa and to keep a low profile. The fundamentalists of the left don't even believe what the Lebanese PM says, about help to disarm Hezbollah. The Norwegian leftists know so much better than the people of Lebanon. Seems like they won't even admit that Hezbollah exists.
51. Spanish media on Israel
Isabel ,   Spain   (07.20.06)
I felt very ashamed watching and reading Spanish media on Lebanon crisis last days. No correspondents in Israel reporting about suffer and point of vue there... Incredibel. I complaint.Now there are correspondents there but the main media (El Pais, TVE...) are so antiisrael that they look ridiculous...
52. It's always the same story!
enzo ,   london,uk   (07.20.06)
He's one of the most dangerous men in Europe. But, knowing the Spaniards, it will be plain sailing for Sr. Zapatero. The Spaniards lost their "balls" long time ago, when they lost their Spanish Armada! No matter who their dictator is, they always long for one...!
53. Get over it
jean ,   France   (07.20.06)
I don't understand the columnist attitude: either someone should be friend with the jews or their ennemy. He cannot be in between. It's like if i'm a friend of a muslim, I'm the ennemy of the jews and a terrorist as well. Get over it guys, as long as you victimis yourselves, you'll not find peace.
54. Spain has always been antisemitic
John ,   Israel   (07.20.06)
I have visited Spain 3 times in the last 10 years and most of the people over there are blaming jews (not Israelis but jews) for all the world's problems.This is the worst antisemitic country in Europe. All jews should leave Spain and come to Israel.Israel has better economic opportunies than Spain and has a better quality of life than Spain(with a GDP per capita exceeding Spain's) despite the turmoil. I am always amused that those expressing their hate for jews , Israel or America are using Israeli or American technology.
55. Antisemitism in Zapatero's Spain Part 1
Alan ,   England   (07.20.06)
Following the March 2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid, the Spanish police discovered in April that the same M-11 bombers had been planning imminent attacks on two Jewish targets, also in the Madrid area. There was a considerable increase in antisemitic activity after 11 March. The North African city of Melilla was the scene of several assaults on Jewish individuals. Some public officials, such as the mayor of Oleiros, took blatantly anti-Israel action. Jewish community The Jewish population of Spain is estimated roughly at 20,000; however, the number of registered Jews does not exceed 14,000. The majority emigrated from Spanish-speaking regions such as northern Morocco and South America (mainly Argentina). The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain currently consists of thirteen traditional and Orthodox communities, the largest of which are located in Madrid, Barcelona and on the Costa del Sol (Málaga). There are also associations of Conservative Jews and of secular Jews. In Barcelona, a Reform community, the Progressive Jewish Community Atid (Future) of Catalonia, is active. A cultural magazine, Raíces (Roots), appears regularly and is distributed also in South America. The Federation of Jewish Communities has an Internet radio, Radio Sefarad, www.radiosefarad.org. Three Jewish day schools operate in Madrid, Barcelona and Melilla (Spanish North Africa). political parties and extra-parliamentary groups Elections The terrorist attack on two commuter trains in Madrid in March 2004 (192 people killed and almost 1,800 injured), known as March 11 (M-11), had a major political impact. Three days after the event, the Socialist Party, headed by Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, scored an unexpected victory in the general elections. Many political analysts considered this turnabout in public feeling as opposition to a confrontation with terrorism. Others contended that the public only wanted the return of Spanish troops from an ‘illegal’ war. The slogans of peace activists who demonstrated in many Spanish cities following the Madrid attack blamed Bush and Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar and not Islamic terrorism. Their signs read, inter alia, “Aznar murderer,” “Out with Bush” and “Stop America,” and some people carried PLO flags. Thus, Islamic terrorists attained two important political goals in Madrid: for the first time they succeeded in influencing a democratic process in the western world and they caused a break in the American-led coalition in Iraq. On 3 April 2004, the Spanish police discovered that the same M-11 bombers had been planning imminent attacks on two Jewish targets, also in the Madrid area, a threat long feared among the community.
56. Antisemitism in Spain Part 2
Alan ,   England   (07.20.06)
Far Right Organizations Spain has a long history of fringe far right organizations that are openly xenophobic and neo-Nazi. They are organized in small parties and groups whose ideology ranges from extreme radicalism to traditionalism. The extreme right has no parliamentary representation. After continual electoral failures, they tried to organize a comeback for the general elections of 14 March 2004, forming the Frente Español, which included a broad spectrum of Spanish extremists, under the slogan “For the unity of Spain.” Frente Español is led by the Democracia Nacional, which emulates Le Pen’s Front National in France. The traditionalist Falange Española de las JONS, Falange Española Independiente and Falange Española Auténtica, small fascist parties mostly concerned with their own survival, also ran in the elections as they have done in all previous ones. None of these parties won any seats. The Left The spectrum of the left, from extreme to mainstream, is far from being monolithic in opinions about Israel and the Jews, and each party/group usually encompasses a range of views. For example, the anti-Israel/anti-Jewish influence of some members of the Esquerra Republicana, which is part of the socialist coalition in the Catalonian regional government, is countered by another member, Pilar Rahola (see ASW 2003/4). A similar situation exists in other regional governments (communidades autónomas) and at the state level. Antisemitic Activities Violence, Vandalism, Harassment and Insults There was a considerable increase in antisemitic activity after 11 March. In fact, religious members of the Jewish community of Spain fear wearing a skullcap because it could make them a target for attacks. In March, the walls of two Jewish synagogues in Barcelona (Orthodox and Reform) were daubed with antisemitic graffiti. Also in March and April, some Jewish worshippers were verbally attacked as they left the Barcelona Jewish Community Center. A monument commemorating the Holocaust in Barcelona was desecrated twice, in May and June 2004. In October, a group of individuals painted antisemitic slogans in German on the walls of the Reform synagogue and of the Jewish school in Barcelona. The statue of Samuel Halevi in Toledo, a Jewish treasurer of the Middle Ages who, in 1366, built the Transito Synagogue in that city, was torched and defaced with red pain and swastikas, on 26 August.
57. Antisemitism in Spain Part 3
Alan ,   England   (07.20.06)
On the African continent, the Spanish city of Melilla in North Africa was the scene of three attacks in August on members of the Jewish community. The perpetrators were groups of local North Africans. The first victim was an old man who was beaten by the door of the main synagogue on a Saturday morning. The other two were Jewish families shopping in an Arab suk (open market). They were insulted and pelted with stones. The windows of one of their cars were also smashed. Also, in August, the Shukrun Synagogue in Melila was stoned by a group of young men, who shouted “Jews, get out!” at worshippers. It should be noted that the majority of the population in these cities consists of Moroccan Muslims, many of whom hold Spanish citizenship, and that Morocco seeks to integrate Ceuta and Mellila into its own national territory. In June 2004 a soccer game took place in Madrid, with both teams – Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid – offering the revenues to the victims and families of March 11. Some spectators, displaying swastikas and other Nazi emblems, unfurled a long banner reading “Jews, Bastards.” Nobody intervened, despite Spain’s anti-racist laws. Official and Media Attitudes toward Israel/the Jews Reports about Israel occupy a disproportionate amount of international news space in the Spanish media. Most coverage of the conflict is superficial and sensationalist, with Israel, and by extension, the Jews, being discredited – and sometimes demonized (see ASW 2003/4). The large circulation, mainstream newspaper El Pais, for example, carried an anti-Israel caricature that compared Israel’s security fence to the wall around the Warsaw Ghetto, with the caption, “The Israeli wall is more effective.” In November, the mayor of Oleiros (A Coruña) approved public signs that described Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as an ‘animal’ and members of his government ‘neo-Nazis’. Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos responded by issuing a strong statement calling on the mayor to remove the signs. Following intense pressure from national and local government officials, as well as from a former EU special representative for the Middle East peace process, and extensive criticism in the national press, the mayor finally agreed to remove the signs.
58. Sapnish antisemitism.
Andres Markovits ,   Valparaiso , Chile   (07.20.06)
David from Barcelona says: Uds., judios de mierda, como se les ocurre decir que nosotros somos antisemitas? Perdon David si te insultamos.
59. This article is simply a lie
María ,   Madrid, Spain   (07.20.06)
I cannot believe that the people who wrote this call themselves journalists. This article is a twisting and manipulation of the truth. No one can say Spain tolerates or supports terrorism, after more than 20 years of suffering it in our country and after the islamic terrorists killed 190 people in Madrid. Please, stop lying.
60. Antisemitism in Spain Part 4
Alan ,   England   (07.20.06)
Jewish representatives in Barcelona approached local government officials requesting the removal of a Star of David positioned beside a swastika on a city hall web page. City officials removed the symbols without explanation and did not apologize for the incident. According to the Spanish newspaper ABC (8 Sept.), an abbreviated version of Mein Kampf, published by Fapa Publishing Co., Barcelona, was in 10th place on a best sellers list of the Casa del Libro chain of bookstores. responses to antisemitism Official and Public Activity Foreign Minister Moratinos attended the opening session of an international rabbinical congress in Córdoba (12–15 Oct.), honoring the Jewish Cordovan philosopher and scientist Maimónides (1134–1204). He announced that the government was considering instituting a Holocaust memorial day − 27 January, the date of the liberation of Auschwitz − in the national calendar, a decision subsequently approved in December. He also noted the government’s support for holding the third OSCE conference on antisemitism and other racist/tolerance issues in June 2005 in Cordoba, and for the building of a Sephardic House in Madrid commemorating the history of Spanish Judaism. On 15 October, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal of the Ministry of Justice, called the Foundation for Pluralism and Coexistence. The Foundation will provide approximately 3 million euro in public funding for non-religious cultural, educational and social integration programs and projects of the non-Catholic confessions (Muslim, Jewish, and Evangelical) that are party to the 1992 Cooperation Agreement (see ASW 2003/4; also below).
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