A. Origins and ScopeWith the collapse of the Middle East Peace Process, even before the outbreak of the Al Aqsa Intifada (2000), Antisemitism in the Arab world increased. It continues unabated, unchecked by the western world, or Arab leaders. Even Israel turned a blind eye to Palestinian Antisemitism at the time of the Oslo accords. Today, hatred of Jews is central to the rhetoric of the Arab and Muslim world - and has become increasingly virulent, disseminated by the media across the Middle East, as well as via satellite television into Europe. The origins of Antisemitism in the Arab world itself go beyond the longstanding Middle East conflict. Indeed, The Israeli Forum to Coordinate the Struggle Against Antisemitism - a think tank of Israeli intelligence, Foreign Ministry officials, and leading researchers - asserts that: In this reality, far-right groups - such as France’s National Front, led by Jean-Marie Le Pen and Austria’s Freedom Party, led by Jorge Haider - can stand by, or play a supporting role, as "Muslim youths", young adults of Maghreb (North African) extraction and Palestinians resident in those countries run riot and accomplish the job for them. This is not limited to France, although the origins of the young Muslims vary in the UK, the US, Germany and the other European Union countries. Daniel Pipes concludes: "Antisemitism, historically a Christian phenomenon, is now primarily a Muslim phenomenon -- and not just in the Middle East, but right here in the United States. Muslims today are the most vibrant and explicit anti-Semites, and it is they who contribute most to Jew-hatred here. Muslims speak in terms of overt Antisemitism hardly found elsewhere in the West. It is important to note that this Antisemitism in the Arab world is not peripheral, but expressed by the leaders of Arab countries"
B. Louis Farrakhan and Black AntisemitismA prevalent theme in the rhetoric of the Nation of Islam, the Black Muslim movement in the U.S., is that Jews control America. There is no more conspicuous example than that of its leader, Louis Farrakhan, who has combined Islamic Antisemitism with black pride. His comments about Jews are replete with allegations of financial control, profit-making, wealth and power, as well as conspiracy and murderous malpractice, while calling Muslims to unity and religious hegemony. The overt antisemitic and oft repeated allegations are not indictable in the US.
C. Arab and Islamic Antisemitism by Arab Leaders and in SocietyNotesIt is important to note that this Antisemitism in the Arab world is not peripheral, but expressed by the leaders of Arab countries, Muslim states and inducted into society, via media and government-controlled education. Cartoon from The Radio Islam Website Another important theme is the Holocaust, especially from Palestinian and pro-Palestinian sources, but the comparisons between Israel and Nazis are more widely networked:
SyriaDuring October-November 2003, a 29-part, Syrian-produced, Ramadan special 'Al-Shatat' (Diaspora) was aired by the Lebanese Hizbullah-affiliated Al-Manar TV station. The series purported to show the history of the Jews and the evolution of Zionism; it is also transmitted to European countries via satellite. A sample quotation of the tone, clearly antisemitic in motif:
In Syria, Antisemitism is taught from an early age. Government text books introduce ideas in stages, in the guise of introductory and advanced Islamic studies, regional history, and politics. They are explicit and unequivocal, to the point of demanding "elimination" of the Jews.
Saudi ArabiaDespite close diplomatic ties to the Middle East Peace Process, Antisemitism in the Saudi kingdom is rabid. Saudi Arabia is a theocracy; although its political elite is not devoutly religious, it views itself as the guardian of Mecca and a central pillar of Islamic influence. With an entirely Muslim population, the Saudis have never rescinded or amended application of Islamic law on the inferior (dhimmi) status and undesirability of "infidels". Wahhabism calls for a strict adherence to Islam, dhimmitude expresses an intolerance of everything foreign. Saudi Arabia's oil wealth has long been linked to the finance of anti-Israel propaganda with antisemitic content, the sponsorship of academic positions in major US universities which create and foment in their limelight pockets of aggressive student campaigning against Israel, and, of course, to the anti-American and anti-western terror of Al-Qaida. Ar-Riyadh, November 28, 2003 The Palestinian AuthorityThe Palestinian Authority produces antisemitic literature and propaganda in quantity. The main themes that appear are:
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Apr. 5, 2003 Source: PMW.org.il In a crossword that appeared in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, 18th February 1999, Yad Vashem was the correct answer to the question:
For an extensive collection of Palestinian Antisemitism see:
EgyptAntisemitism in the Arab world is not restricted to countries at war with Israel, but can also be found with her allies. Egypt has serialized The Protocols of the Elders of Zion on State television and visitors to the Museum of Manuscripts were able to see a copy of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Morocco and TunisiaIn this period, there have been clear cases of killings, bombings and other attacks on Jews and Jewish property by individual Muslims and fundamentalist Islamic groups, some associated with Al-Qaida. Initially, the authorities in these countries were reluctant to admit these were terror incidents by Islamic groups, or antisemitic acts, connected with anti-Israel groups, but the bombing outside the synagogue on the Isle of Djerba killed German tourists, and their investigation underlined the origins of the attack. The situation is considered volatile in both countries, with radical Islam considered a threat to the regime, but little being done to investigate it. TurkeyThe simultaneous November 2003 suicide bomber attacks on two Istanbul synagogues deliberately targeted Jewish places of worship, but killed many bystanders on the street, including Turkish security guards. http://www.jafi.org.il/education/antisemitism/fire1103.html Beyond the Middle EastIslamic Antisemitism is also to be found in the wider Muslim world, originating from countries not directly implicated in the conflict with Israel. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad denounced: "Jewish world domination", at the opening of the Conference of The Organization of the Islamic States, which brought together Islamic leaders from 57 countries:
Morton Klein of the Zionist Organization of America, writes:
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