GERMANY AND THE JEWS – A REALITY CHECK

So, we hear a lot about European anti-Semitism, surveys conducted by the European Union, incidents here, there, skinheads’ demonstrations, and the French, oh boy, those French!  We sit here, on the other side of the pond, all wrapped up in an ever so false sense of security, shaking our heads in disbelief, as if hatred towards Jews is a European invention, and lament. We point fingers, and say “Here it goes again”, how lucky we are that we are here and not “there”, how little these “Europeans” have learned from their past. Let’s look at some facts, shall we?

Anti Defamation League notes in July 8, 2002 that: LINK

“For more than 40 years, the Anti-Defamation League has been taking the pulse of anti-Semitism in America. Last month we revealed that a ten-year decline in Americans with anti-Semitic attitudes had been reversed and was now increasing, showing that a strong undercurrent of hatred against Jews persists in America. 17% of my fellow citizens…some 35 million adults…hold views of Jews that by acceptable measurable standards are unquestionably anti-Semitic. It was painful for us to note that 35% of our Hispanic neighbors…44% foreign born and 20% American born were strongly anti-Semitic, together with 35% of African Americans……The hostile beliefs have led to hostile actions. Our audit of anti-Semitic incidents in the first five months of this year showed an 11% increase in the number of violent attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions. As the tragic disaster of September 11 and the Mideast conflict have transformed us as a nation, they have also triggered the anti-Semitism that was already there, but buried under the surface. It isn't buried any more.”

A review of the incidents of anti-Semitism in the US in 2003 showed the same levels as in 2002.

“New York, NY, March 24, 2004 … The number of anti-Semitic incidents remained at a consistent and disturbing level in 2003, according to newly released statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The annual ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, issued today, counted a total of 1,557 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States in 2003, as compared with 1,559 incidents reported in 2002”. LINK

 I am a pragmatist, I believe that as long as there are Jews, there will be anti-Semitism, regardless of the country we happen to live in while outside Eretz Israel.  The reason I decided to write this review is to put things in perspective, to hopefully shake us from the inert sense that it’s only the “bad” Europeans who have increasingly displayed their hatred towards us.

In light of the above statistics I am asking the following question:

IF, IN FACT, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR BROTHERS ARE IN DANGER, WHAT ARE WE, AS JEWS, DOING TO PROTECT THEM HERE, OR IN EUROPE?

I decided to take a look at Germany, and its recent history in relationship to Jews. I ask you to indulge me as I review some recently issued documents and quote several, in my opinion, telling, statistics.

In the declaration of the German Parliament dated December 2003 it is written LINK

“Anti-Semitic thinking (emphasis added), speaking or actions have no place in Germany”. The declaration continues to outline initiatives to help combat this dangerous attitude.

The Jewish population in Germany went from 30,000 to currently 100,000.LINK

Germany has put a lot of effort into an initiative encouraging Jews from the former Soviet Union to migrate and settle in Germany in order to help strengthen the local Jewish communities and once again enable Jewish life and culture to flourish. The success of this program is outlined also in the legislation pertaining to Immigration and Naturalization of Aliens in Germany. LINK

I saved the best for last. (Rapid drum beating in the background in anticipation of the release of this incredible statistic). Here it goes:

According to the German Embassy in Tel Aviv, there are an estimated 60,000 Israelis who currently hold dual German/Israeli citizenship. During the calendar year 2003 a record breaking 2,844, (63.5 % increase) applications for German citizenship were filed with the German Consular Office in Tel Aviv. ) LINK

I  thought you may want to know.

Ines Weber