Report: Growing Anti-Semitic Atmosphere

Jewish communities around the world are living with a sense of growing anti-Semitism, although 2013 did not record a significant increase in the number of violent attacks on Jews and their property, according to an annual report released by the Israel's Information and Diaspora Ministry.

The report, which was presented to the cabinet on Sunday [Jan. 26] by Minister Naftali Bennett, states that "the soul, rather than the body, is the main victim of the new wave of anti-Semitism." According to estimates, the situation on the ground has become much worse.


According to the report, which is mostly based on the database and research of the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University, the feeling among the world's Jewry stems from the severity of verbal and visual expressions, insults, harassment and threats Jews encounter in their daily life, which create a situation that is becoming more and more difficult.
"The murky atmosphere contributes to a change in European Jews' point of view towards their country and surroundings, and strengthens their personal insecurity," the report says.

One-third of Jews don't wear Jewish symbols
Addressing the situation in Europe, the report mentions the results of a survey commissioned by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in 2013, according to which 66% of Jews see anti-Semitism as a problem affecting their lives, and 76% believe it has worsened in recent years.
Thirty-eight percent of the respondents said they are afraid of falling victim to an anti-Semitic attack and do not leave the house with "identifying symbols" like a skullcap or Star of David, 23% do not participate in "Jewish" events for fear of being targeted on the way, and 20% are even considering emigrating from their country due to the growing anti-Semitism.

According to the same survey, about one-quarter of Jews experienced an incident in the previous year which included a verbal insult, and nearly half of the respondents expressed their concern that they would fall victim to an anti-Semitic incident in the following year. Nonetheless, 77% avoided reporting the incidents, assuming that they would not be taken care of.

The Diaspora Ministry report states that "in most cases, it is possible to track the number of violent incidents, like vandalism against public and private property and attacks on individuals, but only if the victims report them." Yet in light of the failure to report the incidents, "it is certain that the monitoring bodies are only aware of a small part of the overall picture."

The level of concern among Jews in Hungary, for example, is very high, and a significant increase is apparent in the Jewish community's sense of fear of anti-Semitic phenomena in the past year—although no real change was recorded in the number of violent incidents. The reasons appear to be the growing nationalistic discourse since the rise to power of the Federation of Young Democrats (Fidesz) in 2010, and the emergence of the extreme Jobbik party, which is a defined as neo-Nazi, as a political force.

EU changes definition of anti-Semitism
Other countries in which recorded high report levels of a rise in anti-Semitism are France, Belgium and Sweden. The situation appears to be relatively less serious in Italy, Germany, Britain and Latvia.
The authors of the report, which was presented on the eve of International Holocaust Day, noted that after the survey's publication the FRA removed from its website the definition of anti-Semitism which had been in international use since 2000 and stated that anti-Zionist expressions, hostile attitudes towards the State of Israel's existence, likening it to Nazi Germany and discriminating against it could be considered as anti-Semitism in certain cases.

"No satisfactory explanation has been provided for the definition's removal," the report authors wrote, "apart from the claim that the definition was never officially adopted as a binding document by the European Union."

Anti-Semitic Expression: Burning like a Jew
In Chile and Argentina, a rumor was started online that the IDF was working to conquer Patagonia in order to establish a Jewish state there, and that Jewish millionaire Eduardo Elsztain had even bought it from the Argentinean president in exchange for cancelling the country's debt to the World Bank.
In Venezuela, Israel was blamed for the death of President Hugo Chavez and accused of attempting to inflame a third world war in which Israel will attack China and Russia.

"In Russia, the Jews are blamed for all of the country's troubles, including the economic situation, and so members of the opposition one hand and Putin's regime on the other hand are accused of selling themselves to Jewish capital," the report says.

Some 100 anti-Semitic websites have been recorded in Italy, in Canada there is an increase in online harassment, and even Web surfers in Kyrgyzstan are blaming the economic and social problems on the Jews.

Social networks in Mexico recorded in the beginning of the year a wave of anti-Semitic expressions related to the Holocaust, like "I'm burning like a Jew," which reached the sixth place on the Twitter popularity list. Another tweet combined a children's game with a picture of dead Jews in a concentration camp.

"The fact that although there was no military conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, there was still no drop in the amount of anti-Israel statements and actions, once again pulls the rug from under the feet of those who argue that the Jewish-Arab conflict is the reason for the rise in anti-Semitism," Minister Bennett notes in the introduction.

The report itself notes that "the anti-Zionism, which is mainly prevalent among the Left and has already become an integral part of the regular worldview of individuals and groups within it, can be defined as a cultural code replacing anti-Semitism and allowing its distributors to deny any connection to anti-Semitism. This denial is defined by researches today as 'anti-Semitism denial' – like Holocaust denial."

But there are those who don’t take the trouble to distance themselves from anti-Semitism. In Russia and Ukraine, for instance, where physical and verbal expressions of hatred have become an inseparable part of the local Jewish communities' lives—without the customary discussions in the West about Israel's status and actions.

Yemen's chief rabbi cuts off his side locks
Another example of the "modern" anti-Semitism in the Arab world is the way Adolf Hitler inspires commercials both in Saudi Arabia and in Dubai. A cartoon carried in August by protestors in Egypt and east Jerusalem and spread in social networks, stated that the big difference between Hitler and General al-Sisi was that Hitler killed Jews for his people while al-Sisi was killing his people for the Jews.

The report notes that the past year provided a glimpse into the situation of the few Jews left in Arab countries because of expressions of hatred. In January 2013, pictures of a Jewish cemetery desecrated in Tunisia were spread on social networks. The situation of the Jews of Djerba, about 1,000, is difficult and they live in fear after their main synagogue and school were damaged.

The chief rabbi and head of Yemen's Jewish community, Yehie Yosef Salim, spoke in a television interview in his country about the segregation and persecution. He cut off his side locks so as not to be harassed on the streets of Saada.

"The Jews serve as victims of the struggle between the forces of the main government and the rebel Shiite Khoti tribe in the northern part of the country, which al-Qaeda activists teamed up with in the 2000s," the report states.

Yet the report does praise a "handful of brave liberals (in the Muslim world) which condemn anti-Semitism and even combat it." They take part in interfaith dialogues, in conferences about the Holocaust and its education and in visits to Auschwitz and Yad Vashem.

"At first sight, one may find signs of optimism in the annual report, as compared to the previous year there has not been an apparent increase in the amount of anti-Semitic incidents around the world," Minister Bennett concluded. "But the truth is that essentially the situation has only become worse.
"Although there were no noticeable incidents this year which created a major global buzz, 2013 was the year in which the anti-Semitic atmosphere swept over the lives of Jews around the world in general and in Europe in particular. We cannot accept this reality."

Source

(By Kobi Nachshoni, Ynetnews, January 26, 2014)

 

Prayer Focus

Pray that the spirit of anti-Semitism will be removed all the way down to its root. Pray that the God of Israel will push out the darkness of hatred. Pray for the peace of God to surround the Jewish people in the Diaspora and that they are directed to an avenue of safety.

Scripture

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
- Psalm 31:19–20

World Conflicts Now Include the Ukraine

The Ukraine has been a nation in turmoil during the last few years and for its Jewish residents, on a daily basis it is becoming an increasingly dangerous place. The current political protests in the Ukraine have been accompanied by organized attacks against the Jewish people. One publicized attack was that of Dov-Ber Glickman who was on his way home from a Shabbat meal when assailants arrived by car to attack him. They severely beat and kicked him while wearing combat boots with blades. This attack and others have caused fear in the Jewish people of the Ukraine that is keeping them from freely walking their neighborhoods.

In news reports, the situation in Ukraine is being called a “revolution” and a country on the very tipping point of civil war. Europe is looking on this with such a sense of urgency and concern that an emergency summit of the Ukraine’s neighbors, known as the Visegrad Four, was called. Meeting in Budapest were the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The Czech Republic’s PM had been sworn into office just hours before he had to rush to this summit.

The violence that has erupted in Kiev contains within it something very dark. Indybay.org reports that “One of the three main parties of the united opposition leading the rioters in the streets of Ukraine is Svoboda, a neo-Nazi party that openly celebrates the Nazi occupation of Ukraine.” During Hanukkah, several events were canceled for fear of anti-Semitic attacks. Just this last week, the annual commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day was canceled. Some 400 people were had been expected to attend the event at the Brodsky Synagogue in Kiev.

Svoboda’s leader, Oleg Tyangnibok, is opposed to what he sees as undue Russian influence in the former Soviet Republic. Jpost.com has quoted him as saying that his country is, “controlled by a Russian–Jewish mafia.” Reports of anti-Semitic speeches coming from the Svoboda have been recorded.

Europe is stepping into this chaotic world with the spirit of revolution or anarchy, depending on your point of view, bubbling in the Ukraine and threatening to spill past its borders. This has begun to alarm countries of the former USSR. According to world.time.com, “Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of the Soviet Union, piped up on Thursday [January 23] with a wake-up call for the Western world: Ukraine is now everybody’s problem.” In Gorbachev’s open letter to the US and Russia he stated, “[the turmoil in the Ukraine] threatens not only Ukraine and her neighbors, but Europe and the entire world.”

Now let’s take a look at the worldwide situation. It is just the end of January in the year 2014, too early to predict a coming year of turmoil. But if you go to Google and enter “world in turmoil 2014” you come up with over 118 million results.

You’ll find some articles talking about possible economic crisis. The New York Times lists the “fragile five,” while worldnews.nbcnews.com lists the seven countries to watch over the year. The Bitcoin (decentralized digital currency) and certain other economic decisions may pull some countries into various economic crises.

Along with the economic uncertainty, many countries are also in a state of political turmoil: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Iran and South Africa, to name a few. Egypt appears to be rotating governments on a consistent basis. Syria is in its third year of a violent and bloody civil war where the participants in the Syrian government opposition also keep changing. Turkey has had its share of protests in the streets and is being drawn into the Syrian conflict as is divided Lebanon. Thailand is seeing violent protests as they head into elections.

The violence the Jewish people are facing in the Ukraine is one example of the potential for 2014 to fulfill initial indications of a violent year.

Source

(By Leslie McLinden, Bridges for Peace, January 30, 2014)

 

 

Prayer Focus

Pray for those caught up in the conflicts around the world. Pray for safety and direction for the Jewish people who are being attacked both verbally and physically in the Ukraine.

Scripture

But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.
- Psalm 55:23

Finding out His enemies

"Watchful over My Word to perform it"
(Jeremiah 1:12)

Almond blossoms (which in Hebrew have a root also meaning "watchful/diligent")
frame the Temple Mount and Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. The blossoms
are the first to open in mid-Winter, and should begin appearing during the new month.

"Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. .Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight.Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power!" (Psalm 21:8, 11-12a, 13 -ESV).

"For David. To You, O LORD, I lift my heart. My God, in You I trust. Let me be not shamed, let my enemies not gloat over me. Yes, let all who hope in You be not shamed. Let the treacherous be shamed, empty-handed" (Psalm 25:1-3 -Alter).

Last week Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet released news of having uncovered a massive plot aimed at perpetrating a rash of high-level bombing and shooting attacks in Israel. Directed from al-Qaeda operatives in the Gaza Strip, it involved suicide bombings at the US embassy in Tel Aviv and at the Jerusalem Convention center (the latter involving an additional suicide-truck to arrive and blow up rescue workers after the original detonation); an attack on a bus between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, with shooting of passengers after the bus was overturned; kidnapping of an Israeli soldier at the Jerusalem Central bus station; and blowing up of a residential building housing Jews in the Abu Tor neighborhood of Jerusalem. The three young recruits who were captured (another is still at large) were from Jerusalem, one a father of four living in the Abu Tor neighborhood mentioned.

We thank God for His merciful protection and watch over Israel. He who watches over her "neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psalm 121:4).


PLEASE PRAY:

*Thanksgiving with us for God's uncovering of this plot against His people.

*For angelic protection over all of our borders.

*For the power of Praise to be released in houses of prayer throughout the capital. God "is enthroned on the praises of Israel!" (Psalm 22:3), and high praise releases angelic armies. 

A house of prayer was recently established on the border of the neighborhood from which one of the terrorists was arrested.

* Psalm 8:2-"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger."

  As mentioned in a recent Prayer Update, we take very seriously the awakening role of believing children in affecting the spiritual atmosphere in Israel. One house of prayer in Jerusalem is currently developing a weekly watch of 4-13-year-olds-who worship and praise (with their own band) and pray for sick who are invited to come to their watch. For a raising up of "childrens' watches" in houses of prayer about the country, whose ministering to God in Spirit and in truth will help to "silence the enemy and the avenger!"

portions taken from Israel prayer list