Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Middle East conflict can be used to legitimize the hatred of Jews – forskning.se

Some argue that anti-Semitism, prejudice against Jews just because they are Jews, does not exist in Sweden today. Swastikas on buildings, bomb threat against Jewish communities and an open hatred of Jews in some of the forums where the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are discussed are some examples that confirm the opposite. In other words clear that anti-Semitism exists, the question is how and why so few are talking about it. Henrik Bachner is a historian and has also conducted research on anti-Semitic attitudes in Sweden.

– Anti-Semitism has in various forms existed during the postwar period and do so even today, as has been shown in both qualitative and quantitative surveys. Partly it’s about stereotypes and prejudices about the Jews who are found in parts of the population and in different political opinions. Partly exists antisemitism as part of an ideology, it is particularly parts of the extreme right and radical Islam, says Henrik Bachner.

Middle East conflict triggers hatred
According to statistics external link, opens in new window from the Crime Prevention Council, the National Council, the number of reported anti-Semitic hate crimes in Sweden increased after 2008, which is when it last ground invasion of Gaza began. When violence escalates now again reinforced the threat further. One problem is that Jews collectively are held accountable for the state of Israel’s actions. This is something that is made visible even in the debate this summer.

– This argument can sometimes connect with another anti-Semitic themes, namely the attempt to portray Jews as Nazis of our time – guilty of the same type of crime as Nazi Germany, but also the rhetoric about “the Jews learned of the Holocaust,” he says.

While criticism of Israel’s warfare generally expressed without antisemitic thought track color argumentation, so make up the debate on the Israel-Palestine conflict is an important context for the anti-Semitic manifestations.

– This is a pre-existing phenomenon that is nourished and can be triggered by the Israel-Palestine conflict, but there is a wrong conclusion that anti-Semitism is caused of the conflict.

The threat is underestimated in the debate
Some who claim that anti-Semitism today is not a problem, says that it is now replaced by Islamophobia within the extreme right. This is essentially wrong, according to research. Hostility exists today against both groups, in Sweden as well as in Europe, where many right-wing parties was intensified. Swedes party, Greek Golden Dawn and the German NPD are some examples where both anti-Semitism that Islamophobia is included in ideologies.

But the threats against Jews waved many times away and belittled in the debate, which is worrying. Not least in the parts of the anti-racist movement seems to be difficult to recognize anti-Semitism as a social problem. According to Henrik Bachner, it may have been partly for political reasons, but is also about ignorance. Racism and xenophobia faced by traditional socio-economically disadvantaged groups, those outside society and discriminated against by their skin color, etc..

– Jews seen rather as a socio-economically powerful group in the society. That they are not perceived as weaker, excluded group makes it much more difficult for many to understand what anti-Semitism is and how it is a problem, he says.

Muslims accused for today’s anti-Semitism
According to some studies, anti-Semitism most widespread in the Middle East. This must be understood in the context of a particular context in which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are included, but also a political culture where antisemitism is entirely legitimate as the influence of Islamist propaganda. This development may also partly explain the presence of anti-Semitism among some Swedes and Europeans with a Middle Eastern background. The latter is, however, an issue also utilized by Islamophobia groups, who would spread the image of anti-Semitism as a problem only in Muslim communities.

– Right-wing populists like to use the issue of anti-Semitism to discredit Muslims that category, says Henrik Bachner.

Therefore, it is important to emphasize that research also shows that anti-Semitism is relatively widespread in some Eastern and Central European countries, which include Christian anti-Judaism, nationalism, Nazism and Communism shaped this tradition. Where does the Middle East conflict is less important, but in Western Europe, it can be used to legitimize prejudices about Jews as political criticism, and further exacerbate prejudice and racism against other groups.

In terms of the public debate seems to Israeli-Palestinian conflict to engage Swedes much greater extent than other ongoing conflicts, which probably has its historic and symbolic explanations. That we are standing up for the oppressed and rejects all forms of extremism and violence is positive. But if we close our eyes for arguments that make Jews responsible for Israel’s policies or do not see how the conflict can activate the anti-Semitism that has shaken our opinion. Violence, oppression and xenophobia must be recognized and combated – no matter who it is that is threatened.

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