Anti-Semitic Trends in 1998

Anti-Semitic Trends in 1998

General

Anti-Semitic propaganda and violence increased in 1998 compared with 1997, and was generated by the radical right, left and Islam. Serious attacks against Jewish targets were not recorded in 1997, but quite a few such attacks occurred in 1998.

It is possible to point to a number of foci and dates where an increase in anti-Semitic manifestations is apparent: the political/economic crisis in Russia led to a drastic rise in political/establishment anti-Semitic propaganda; the issue of Jewish gold in Switzerland and the greater preoccupation with various issues associated with property and compensation from the Holocaust period; the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the State of Israel and the Gulf crises between Iraq and the U.S.

The Holocaust in general played a central role in anti-Semitic manifestations, with an increase in Holocaust denial and reference to the Holocaust as the major factor in anti-Semitic threats.

Detail

Anti-Semitism took a dramatic turn in Russia with expressions and activity unknown in recent years. The pretext for the outburst was the economic/political crisis there, but the force of the expressions was great by any criteria. A cause for concern is the fact that the main bearers of the anti-Semitic message were senior Communist party officials and denunciation of their statements was not universal. Although a dramatic increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents was not recorded an increase was nevertheless noted. Such incidents included explosions, attempts to set synagogues on fire and violent attacks against Jews.

Russia influences its neighbours in various spheres but a similar manifestation of establishment anti-Semitism was not discerned there. However, there was an increase in the number of incidents such as the torching of a synagogue in Kharkov, Ukraine and the explosion in a Habad synagogue in Riga, Latvia.

In the other Eastern European countries popular anti-Semitism continues, except for the Czech Republic were in late December a number of especially violent incidents were recorded which are unusual for this country.

In Western Europe dealing with the return of Jewish property from the Holocaust period is gaining momentum. The preoccupation with this issue has led to dissatisfaction and even anti-Semitic reactions. In Switzerland, which was the first to deal with the subject, a relatively large number of anti-Semitic incidents was recorded this year, although they were mostly threats and propaganda.

In Germany people are becoming weary of feeling constantly guilty about the Holocaust and are making an attempt to form a policy that recognizes the Germany's responsibility for the Holocaust but no longer blames this generation. A number of anti-Semitic incidents, including threats and the desecration of graves, were recorded in Germany (including the shattering twice of the gravestone of Galinski, former president of the community.)

Attacks on Jews and Jewish facilities increased in Britain. They were apparently local initiatives and not organized from above. Also worth mentioning were increased radical anti-Jewish statements from Islamic organizations operating in Britain, such as the 'Sharia' Supporters' and the 'Al-Muhajiroun'. In general anti-Semitic propaganda has become more virulent.

A number of violent incidents were recorded in France, here also apparently without guidance. The trial of the Muslim convert and Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy took place this past year. It aroused much interest and was widely covered in the media in France and the Arab world. Garaudy appealed his conviction and this resulted in an increased sentence - in addition to the previous fine he received a suspended prison sentence.

An outstanding incident in Europe was the attack on the Jewish community building ("Kis') in Athens, Greece in April 1998. An organization called 'Solidarity International' claimed responsibility for the attack stating that it had acted out of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.

A relatively new awakening of Holocaust denial occurred in Turkey. A number of articles on the subject were published during the year and they aroused waves of protest. Minor anti-Semitic incidents were also recorded in Spain, Italy and Scandinavia. There were no prominent incidents in other European countries.

A wave of violence spread over South Africa this past year that was both of criminal and Islamic origin. Islamic elements were very militant this year and were apparently responsible for a number of attacks in Capetown, including the attack on the Wynberg synagogue. The radical KIBLA and PAGAD organizations reiterated their threat to harm their opponents in any way possible.

The increased number of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia were mainly propaganda related. There was a drop in violent incidents. The radical right-wing 'One Nation' party lost in the parliamentary elections this year. There was an apparent increase in the consolidation of Islamic elements in various cities in Australia.

There was intensive activity in the radical right-wing organizations in Latin America, especially in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Besides propaganda, these organizations apparently carried out a number of violent attacks including an explosion in a Jewish-owned restaurant in Montevideo and the throwing of a Molotov cocktail at a synagogue in the same city. Another prominent incident by unknown perpetrators was a firebomb thrown at a synagogue in Santiago, Chile in May 1998.

Radical right-wing organizations in Latin America maintain contacts and cooperate with similar organizations in Europe. This cooperation, among other things, is manifest in organizing two international conferences - one in April 1999 in Buenos Aires of the 'Brown Shirts', and the second in April 2000 in Chile of national-socialist parties.

Also worth mentioning is the consolidation of radical Islamic elements in South America. These have infiltrated into local Arab organizations and economic institutions, have used the media extensively and developed political connections. Many cases were discerned of collaboration between radical Islamic and radical right-wing organizations, especially in Argentina. This collaboration can produce significantly dangerous groupings jointly operating against Jews.

The collapse in Argentina of the Banco Mayo and Banco Patricios which were owned by local Jews dramatically affected the functioning of the Argentinian community and was accompanied by anti-Semitic reactions such as classic slogans connecting Jews with money, exploitation of non-Jews, corruption and power.

In the Arab countries there were no apparent changes in the level of anti-Semitism towards the Jews living there. Unusual was the attack on the Jewish community building in Baghdad, Iraq, where two members of the Jewish community were shot to death on 4 October, 1998. The Iraqi authorities were quick to denounce the crime and arrest the attacker stressing that he would pay for his crime (to date, his fate is unknown).

Another factor which left its mark on the second half of the year was Saudi Arabian millionaire Osama Bin Laden who perpetrated two attacks against two American embassies in Africa. Bin Laden continues his threats and declares that he plans to mount attacks against Israeli/Jewish, British and American targets around the world.

Summary

There was an increase of anti-Jewish incidents last year, especially involving propaganda, but also violence, including the attacks mentioned. In our assessment, it is not possible to point to a specific factor which led to the increase in anti-Semitism. However, the many events marking Israel's fiftieth anniversary throughout the world led to reactions, sometimes anti-Semitic, against various communities. Alongside this, the great preoccupation with Jewish property from the Holocaust period, including related subjects such as insurance policies, art treasures and property in a large number of countries, also brought on anti-Semitic reactions in various places. Also worth mentioning and following-up is the trend of the consolidation of fundamentalist Islam and in certain places its collaboration with radical right-wing organizations.