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Antisemitism

Analyzing the Durban II Conference

- Interview with Gerald Steinberg

Although the nonparticipation of many key countries made Durban II less of a diplomatic disaster for Israel than Durban I, it did not result in any erasure or renouncement of the anti-Israeli "Durban strategy" adopted at the 2001 NGO Forum. Many UN-sponsored mini-Durbans promoting the indictment of Israel continue to take place, led by the same NGOs active in the Durban I hate-fest. In the dominant narrative, Israel is the world's worst violator of human rights and must be held accountable through investigations predetermined to find it guilty. Judge Richard Goldstone has become the patron saint of this "Durban process."

The Aftonbladet Organ-Trafficking Accusations against Israel: A Case Study

- Mikael Tossavainen

 In August 2009, Sweden's largest daily Aftonbladet, a tabloid, published an article implying that the Israel Defense Forces kills Palestinians to provide the Israeli medical establishment with organs. The article was heavily criticized in the Swedish media, and several papers denounced it as anti-Semitic. The Swedish government refused to comment on the article, claiming legal factors prevented them. Swedish-Israeli relations suffered from the affair. A planned visit to Israel by Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was canceled. Since Sweden held the rotating presidency of the European Union, the EU's role as a broker in the Middle East peace process also suffered.

For a complete list of articles on Antisemitism, click here.

Changing Jewish Communities

Scotland's Jews: Community and Political Challenges

- Kenneth Collins and Ephraim Borowski

 The Jewish community in Scotland numbered eighteen thousand in the 1950s but has now shrunk to around ten thousand, largely through emigration. The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities has been very successful in influencing Scottish government policy in areas such as family law, looted Holocaust art, the census, and health and safety issues. There has been historically little antisemitism in Scotland, and in particular good relations with the churches. Recently there has been a significant increase, much of it associated with events in the Middle East. Specifically, the Scottish trade union movement has pursued a policy of boycotting Israel despite a dialogue with the Jewish community aimed at understanding both sides of the conflict.

The Future of Conservative Jewry

- Interview with Arnold M. Eisen

Conservative Jewry faces three major challenges. These concern its message, its quality control, and its structure. The definition of the message has become a priority in part because of the blurring of the boundaries with other movements. Quality control is a prime issue because Conservative Judaism depends on local organizations to provide a quality product. Conservative Judaism has structural problems because it only has a loose umbrella body, the Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism.

For a complete list of articles on Changing Jewish Communities, click here.

Book Reviews

Political Islam, Word Politics and Europe by Bassam Tibi

- Reviewed by Daphne Burdman

 Bassam Tibi examines Islamist expansionism both in Muslim and Western societies, a phenomenon that appears in violent and deceptively peaceful guises. He presents a penetrating and analytical study of the West's inability to comprehend the underlying ideologies of Islamism, which is crucial if it hopes effectively to confront this increasingly dire situation.

 

 

The Resurgence of Anti-Semitism: Jews, Israel and Liberal Opinion by Bernard Harrison

- Malcolm F. Lowe

 These are people whose criticism of Israel, and collaterally of Jews, has a hardly deniable anti-Semitic resonance, yet who almost invariably believe, with as much sincerity as they can muster, that they are anything but anti-Semites, that they are actively opposed to all racism whether directed at Jews or anyone else. This is the phenomenon with which Harrison's book is concerned.

 

 

 

 

New Book

The Abuse of Holocaust Memory: Distortions and Responses

- Manfred Gerstenfeld

 The broad superficial familiarity with the Holocaust makes it prone to a multitude of distortions. Its history and terminology are abused for a variety of purposes, including using it as a tool against one's enemies and, in particular, Jews and Israel. This book analyzes the categories of distortion and the responses to them. Also included are case studies that analyze Holocaust distortion in several European countries and the Muslim world.

Most Popular

Major Anti-Semitic Motifs in Arab Cartoons

- Joël Kotek

 The main recurrent motif in Arab cartoons concerning Israel is "the devilish Jew." This image conveys the idea that Jews behave like Nazis, kill children and love blood. The similarity with themes promulgated by the Nazis is evident. Many Arab cartoons praise suicide bombing or call for murder. The collective image of the Jews thus projected lays the groundwork for a possible genocide. 

Antisemitism Embedded in British Culture

- Interview with Robert S. Wistrich

 The anti-Zionist narrative probably has greater legitimacy in Great Britain than in any other Western society. Antisemitism of the "anti-Zionist" variety has achieved such resonance, particularly in elite opinion, that various British media are leaders in this field. The UK holds a pioneering position in promoting academic boycotts of Israel. The same is true for trade-union efforts at economic boycotts. There is also no other Western society where jihadi radicalism has proved as violent and dangerous as in the UK.

Jewish Political Studies Review

Benedict XVI, the Lefebvrians, the Jews, and the State of Israel

- Sergio I. Minerbi

 This article explores the relations between the Catholic Church and the Jews from the middle of the previous century until the present day. It will focus on how the Catholic Church has dealt with memory of the Shoah and how this has affected the Church's relations with the Jews. It will look at the most recent developments in dialogue between the Church and the Jews under Pope Benedict XVI and the impact of his visit to Israel in May 2009.

The Jewish Community in Germany: Living with Recognition, Anti-Semitism and Symbolic Roles

- Susanne Y. Urban

 This article deals with the diverse images of Jews in Germany: which roles they take upon themselves and which symbolic roles German society sees in the Jewish community. The author tries to unfold the origins and the meaning of these roles including Jews as victims, as sensors toward anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism. The symbolic roles of Jews in Germany cannot be compared to those in other countries, as in Germany the real presence of Jews is publicly very important as "proof" that the country has developed into a democracy and a diverse, open society. Nevertheless Jews are also taken as responsible for Israel's policies and as such are targets for condemnation. Therefore, the roles which are put upon the Jewish communities and citizens are exchangeable depending on what German society needs and wants to see in the Jews.

Lectures (Watch Online)

How the Media Distorts Israel and How Israel PR Could Be Improved: An Insider's View

- Tom Gross

The way the media covers the Mideast has been central to creating the atmosphere that has allowed Israel to be increasingly vilified and demonized among many opinion-formers in Europe and elsewhere. This delegitimization has gained ground recently, even leading to the issuing of an arrest warrant for Tzipi Livni by a London court. Tom Gross will explore the way in which the media is covering - and "miscovering" - the Mideast, and discuss ways Israeli PR could be improved.

Anti-Israelism and Anti-Semitism in Sweden

- Dr. Mikael Tossvainen

 Swedish anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism have recently attracted much attention due to the Aftonbladet Organ Affair. During Israel's Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, around the turn of the year 2008/2009, there were several anti-Semitic attacks in Sweden. There is substantial anti-Israeli media bias in several Swedish papers.

Jewish Environmental Studies

Technology and Jewish Life

- Manfred Gerstenfeld and Avraham Wyler

Technology continues to have a strong and specific impact on Jewish life. From a socio-halakhic viewpoint, technology influences Jews' choice of residence, has socialized and politicized kashrut certification, and has changed modes of Jewish study. The development of new technologies has brought with it many halakhic challenges and decisions, on Shabbat observance among other things.

For more articles on Judaism and the Environment, click here.

Upcoming Events

Prof. Jonathan D. Sarna

American Jewish Journalism: Past, Present and Future

Date: March 17, 2010

By Invitation Only
Recent Events

Dr. Yohanan Manor

The Story of "Zionism is Racism": Its Rise, Fall and Resurgence

Date: February 23, 2010

Tom Gross

How the Media Distorts Israel and How Israel
PR Could Be Improved: An Insider's View

Date: February 9, 2010
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