THE COORDINATION FORUM FOR COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM
The Situation in Israel - Anti-Semitism Abroad: June 2001
The events of the past few days have increased the fear of a further escalation of violence in the territories, given the severe wave of attacks and the possibility of an Israeli reaction against various Palestinian elements.
The escalation in Israel has implications for communities abroad and violent activity against Jewish installations throughout the world has already become apparent in recent days.
Detail
In recent weeks a number of attacks were perpetrated against Israelis, exacting a very heavy toll (18 dead in various attacks during May and 20 killed in the Dolphinarium attack in Tel-Aviv on 1 June). Following the massacre in the Dolphinarium, youths attacked the Hassan bek mosque in Tel-Aviv-Jaffa with stones. The pictures of the attack on the mosque were widely broadcast in Israel and throughout the world and could be the pretext for religion-related retaliation. Furthermore, a Muslim theological debate has been in progress recently on the issue of the legitimacy of suicide according to the Koran. Increasingly, senior religious clerics are calling for the recognition of the suicide bombers as Shahids (Martyrs) in contrast to previous religious rulings, such as that of the cleric in Saudi Arabia who ruled that the phenomenon was strictly forbidden. This discussion could also have implications for the willingness of Muslim believers to take action and volunteer for suicide missions abroad as well.
At this stage Israel has not responded to the recnt attacks due to Prime Minister Sharon's decision on a unilateral cease-fire. Israel's restraint has various ramifications and among others gives a feeling of victory for the Palestinians. This, alongside the continued incitement and anti-Israel propaganda, could lead to an increased level of activity by Palestinian elements and their associates throughout the world.
In recent days a rise in violence against Jews and Jewish institutions has been apparent. There has also been an increase in the number of early warnings of attack intentions against Jews in various places around the world.
Following are a few of a series of incidents reported over the past week:
- 27 May - a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a synagogue in Larissa in Greece.
- 28 May - Stones were thrown at worshippers in a synagogue in Lyon.
- 31 May - When a security guard employed by a Jewish school in Melbourne approached a man photographing the school, the photographer became abusive and assaulted the guard.
- 1 June - Burning objects (apparently Molotov cocktails) were thrown into the yard of a synagogue near Paris.
- Abusive Palestinian slogans were drawn on the walls of a school in Geneva.
- 3 June - Two Arab males assaulted a young man wearing a Kippah in Sydney and shouted antisemitic abuse at him and his girlfriend.
- 7 June - An Israeli orthodox rabbi was murdered in Zurich - apparently out of anti-Semitic motives.
As mentioned, the above is only from the last week of May and the beginning of June.
Conclusion
Given the violence directed at Jewish communities and individuals around the world immediately following the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in late September a recurrence of organized harassment and attacks against Jews as we saw in October and November 2000 is highly probable.
Considering the above, communities should be especially alert and attentive to any unusual activity near Jewish facilities and gatherings.