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For those who enjoy the antisemitic circus show we often see in Mainstream, here is a recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League on European antisemitism. As an aside, everyone should be aware that, although the word "semite" refers to anyone of a certain area of Middle Eastern descent, the term "antisemite" refers in common usage to hatred and discrimination specifically against jews. The fact that terms can hold meanings irrespective of their etymologies is lost on some people. In addition, antisemitism by any other name is still hatred of jews, (as people, not hatred of the religion in the abstract) and focusing on etymology rather than on the issue itself will appear to be an attempt to muddy the waters of the debate. From the survey:

The survey, Attitudes Toward Jews in Twelve European Countries, was released to coincide with the Conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in Cordoba, Spain June 8-9. The countries surveyed were: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and for the first time, Hungary and Poland.

Respondents across the continent were asked a series of indicator questions representing the most pernicious notions of anti-Semitism and whether or not they thought the following four statements were "probably true" or "probably false."

• Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country.
• Jews have too much power in the business world.
• Jews have too much power in international financial markets.
• Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust

Respondents were also asked whether they agree or disagree with the following statement:
• The Jews are responsible for the death of Christ

Finally, respondents were asked:
• If their opinion of Jews was influenced by actions taken by the State of Israel and whether they believed the violence directed against European Jews was a result of anti-Jewish feelings or anti-Israel sentiment.

Findings Summary

• A plurality of those surveyed across Europe, 43 percent, believe that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their own country, with a majority of respondents in Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain saying they believe that this statement is "probably true."

• Alarmingly high levels of those surveyed across Europe still believe in the traditional anti-Jewish canard that "Jews have too much power in the business world." Overall, nearly 30 percent of all respondents believe this stereotype to be true.

• Similarly, European respondents still adhere to the notion that "Jews have too much power in international financial markets." Overall, 32 percent of those surveyed cling to the traditional stereotype.

• Large portions of the European public continue to believe that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust. Overall, 42 percent of those surveyed believe it is "probably true." In fact, a plurality of respondents in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and Switzerland believe this notion to be true.

• Overall, 20 percent of those surveyed across Europe continue to blame Jews for the death of Jesus.

• Overall, 29 percent of those surveyed across Europe say that their opinion of Jews is influenced by the actions taken by the State of Israel.

• Of those respondents whose opinions are influenced, a majority, 53 percent, say that their opinion of Jews is worse as a result of the actions taken by Israel.

"The findings of this survey demonstrate that individual governments, the EU and the OSCE, who have condemned anti-Semitism and sought ways to counteract it, are being challenged to find a formula that will break down the old stereotypes that die hard," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

"Millions of Europeans still accept a wide range of traditional anti-Semitic stereotypes, including the charge that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their home country. These attitudes help incite and legitimize anti-Semitism and, coupled with an atmosphere where violence against Jews is still prevalent, give us great cause for concern."

One good sign is that many of the numbers for Europe are in decline, but there are still an alarmingly high number of people who seem to have animosity toward jews as people. Looking through those ideas you see above, you can pick out many things that are said in the room that closely mirror these statements. People will insist they are "not against jews, I'm against Israel," and yet their arguments for why they oppose Israel include these antisemitic ideas. (jews have too much power, jews get special treatment because of the Holocaust, jews are plotting to take over the world)

Europe is also relatively tame compared to much of the Arab world. A brief viewing of editorial cartoons from Arabic newspaper reveals an array of traditional antisemitic images. These newspapers also traffic heavily in the supposed plots by jews to ruin or take control of the world.

As much as I would like to believe that everyone in chat has pure motives, history teaches us otherwise. And I know I'm not alone in having engaged a supposedly "anti-Israel" person in debate, only to have their secret bigotry be revealed in their endorsements of classic antisemitic ideas. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of people whose criticism of Israel has not been closely followed by bigoted ideas. I think enough has been said on this topic, next post, back to teh funny!

JC