ϟ ADL Survey In Ten European Countries Finds Anti-Semitism At Disturbingly High Levels
Anti-Semitic attitudes in ten European countries remain at “disturbingly high levels,” according to a new poll from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released today, with large swaths of the population subscribing to classical anti-Semitic notions such as Jews having too much power in business, being more loyal to Israel than their own country, or “talking too much” about what happened during the Holocaust.
Attitudes Toward Jews in Ten European Countries (.pdf), an ADL opinion survey of 5,000 adults – 500 in each of ten European countries – revealed that pernicious anti-Semitic beliefs continue to be held by nearly one-third of those surveyed.
The poll was conducted between Jan. 2-31, 2012 in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. The survey has a margin of error of between +/- 4.43 and +/- 4.85, depending on the specific country.
“The survey is disturbing by the fact that anti-Semitism remains at high levels across the continent and infects many Europeans at a much higher level than we see here in the United States,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. ”In Hungary, Spain and Poland the numbers for anti-Semitic attitudes are literally off-the-charts and demand a serious response from political, civic and religious leaders.”
In France, where a shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse yesterday claimed the lives of three small children and a teacher, the overall level of anti-Semitism increased to 24 percent of the population, an increase from 20 percent in a previous ADL poll conducted in 2009. In France, 45 percent of respondents attributed the violence against European Jews to anti-Jewish feelings, an increase from 39 percent in 2009.
Other findings for France include: 45 percent of the population responded “probably true” to the statement “Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country; 35 percent agreed that “Jews have too much power in the business world; and 35 percent believe that “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them during the Holocaust.
When asked for their opinion about anti-Semitic violence directed against Jews, and whether that violence is the result of anti-Jewish feelings as opposed to anti-Israel sentiment, overall, 39 percent of Europeans responded that it was the result of anti-Jewish sentiments. ”In France, you have a volatile mix,” Mr. Foxman said. ”France has seen an increase in the level of anti-Semitism. At the same time, more people today believe that violence directed against European Jews is fueled by anti-Jewish attitudes as opposed to anti-Israel sentiment. ”Those increases are all the more disturbing in light of the shooting attack at the Jewish school in Toulouse.”
In comparison with a similar ADL poll conducted in 2009, several of the countries showed dangerously high levels in the overall level of anti-Semitism, while other countries experienced more modest increases.
The overall findings among the countries for which comparison data is available:
· Austria experienced a slight decrease, to 28 percent from 30 percent in 2009.
· France: The overall level of anti-Semitism increased to 24 percent of the population, up from to 20 percent in 2009.
· Germany: Anti-Semitism increased by one percentage point, to21 percent of the population.
· Hungary: The level rose to 63 percent of the population, compared with 47 percent in 2009;
· Poland: The number remained unchanged, with 48 percent of the population showing deep-seated anti-Semitic attitudes.
· Spain: Fifty-three percent (53%) percent of the population, compared to 48 percent in 2009.
· United Kingdom: Anti-Semitic attitudes jumped to 17 percentof the population, compared to 10 percent in 2009.
Country-by-Country Findings on Anti-Semitic Attitudes
In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews are more loyal to Israel” than their own country, the 2012 survey found:
Austria – 47%, unchanged from 2009
France – 45%, up from 38% in 2009
Germany – 52%, down from 53% in 2009
Hungary – 55%, up from 40% in 2009
Italy – 61% in 2012
Netherlands – 47% in 2012
Norway – 58% in 2012
Poland – 61%, down from 63% in 2009
Spain – 72%, up from 64% in 2009
The United Kingdom – 48%, up from 37% in 2009
In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews have too much power in the business world,” the 2012 survey found:
Austria – 30%, down from 36% in 2009
France – 35%, up from 33% in 2009
Germany – 22%, up from 21% in 2009
Hungary – 73%, up from 67% in 2009
Italy – 39% in 2012
The Netherlands – 10% in 2012
Norway – 21% in 2012
Poland – 54%, down from 55% in 2009
Spain – 60%, up from 56% in 2009
The United Kingdom – 20%, up from 15% in 2009
In responding “probably true” to the statement “Jews have too much power in international financial markets,” the 2012 survey found:
Austria – 38%, up from 37% in 2009
France – 29%, up from 27% in 2009
Germany – 24%, up from 22% in 2009
Hungary – 75%, up from 59% in 2009
Italy – 43% in 2012
The Netherlands – 17% in 2012
Norway — 23% in 2012
Poland – 54%, unchanged from 2009
Spain – 67%, down from 74% in 2009
The United Kingdom – 22%, up from 15% in 2009
In responding “probably true” to the statement, “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust,” the 2012 survey found:
Austria – 45%, down from 55% in 2009
France – 35%, up from 33% in 2009
Germany – 43%, down from 45% in 2009
Hungary – 63%, up from 56% in 2009
Italy – 48% in 2012
The Netherlands – 31% in 2012
Norway – 25% in 2012
Poland – 53%, down from 55% in 2009
Spain – 47%, up from 42% in 2009
The United Kingdom – 24%, up from 20% in 2009
ADL commissioned First International Resources to conduct the survey. Fielded in Europe by Ipsos-Reid Public Affairs, it was conducted in the national language of each country. The margin of error is +/- 4.43 to +/- 4.85, depending on the specific country, at 95% level of confidence.
Via: ADL
GREAT BLOG. love grom germany. we love you by galaxyofabsurdity
Thank you.
We’re glad to be back posting, and blogging about our beautiful homeland.
Is it true that during World War II, Jews did not take armed struggle because of the faith (of course I remember about the uprising in the ghetto, but there mostly young people took part) in that God is once again subjected to test your nation? by artfreakpoland
This idea of allowing yourself to be subjected to G-d’s tests, even if it means your life is endangered, is completely against the Torah. Judaism is a religion that encourages life and living. One must protect their life at almost any cost.
One of the reasons that so many thousands of Jews died during the Holocaust, and why some didn’t actively resist, was because they didn’t expect it to happen. European Jews honestly didn’t think, that “it could happen to them”. They heard horror stories, which they believed were mere “horror stories” and exaggerations.
My own ancestors served in the German Army in World War 1. My great-grandfather was a decorated soldier who fought for the Fatherland. He was a member of the town council. He was respected throughout his town, which was primarily non-Jewish. He did not think that his own country and people would ever turn their back on him, especially when he was prepared to die for it.
There were plenty of Jewish groups which conducted armed struggle against the Nazi regime during World War 2. My own grandfather and his brothers were heavily involved in resistance movements.
These Jews formed their own movements, or joined other resistance movements (not necessarily Jewish) throughout Europe. In addition to this, are numerous attempts of escape and mutiny throughout concentration and death camps, as well as the numerous ghettos throughout Europe.
Check out these links for brief information about Jewish resistance in World War 2.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/grobres.html
Mother and Son on board the death train from Bergen-Belsen liberated at Madgeburg
I find this picture very moving: mothers love to show off their youngsters, no matter what the situation. The little fellow was pleased at having his picture taken. Note the thin legs and brave smile.
ϟ Holy Kevorim of Germany
by Reb Akiva
While the soil of Germany is soaked in the blood of 6 million Jewish martyrs who died Al Kiddush Hashem, prior to World War II it was the home of over 1,000 years of holy yidden and various tzadikim.
A good friend of mine frequently travels to Germany on business and visits the kevorim (the burial sites) of the holy tzadikim that survived World War II. Here’s some pictures he shares with us…
The MaHaRaM of Rothenburg and next to him Reb Alexander Wimpfen (who released the holy body of the MaHaRaM from a wicked non-Jew holding it [the body] for ransom); at the “Holy Sand” in Worms - the oldest existing Jewish cemetery in Europe:
The kever of the MaHaram…
The kever of the MaHaRaM of Rothenburg and next to him Reb Alexander Wimpfen…
We’ve previously reviewed the over 100 year old book about the Baal Shem of Michelshtat. Here is the kever of the Baal Shem of Michelshtat…
May the merit of these holy tzaddikim stand for all klal yisroel!
600 photos in the dome
The dome inside the Yad va’Shem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem has 600 photos of people who perished across Europe representing the six million who died.
Children playing with dreidels around a Hanukkah candelabrum on Hanukkah Berlin, Germany, 1930s before the holocaust
ϟ Hanukkia lit in spot Hitler decreed Final Solution
The large crowd assembled under the imposing Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Tuesday carrying torches was reminiscent of a different era, darker era.
But these were not Nazi stormtroopers, and the year was not 1933. Rather, it was 2011 and the gatherers were taking part in a large Hanukka ceremony.
“We’re standing at the same spot where Adolf Hitler announced his plan to annihilate European Jewry,” said Chabad Rabbi Yehuda Tiechtel of Berlin, who organized the event. “In this same spot we’ll be lighting the menorah with German officials, leaders and ambassadors.”
About 1,000 people, including US Ambassador to Germany Phillip Murphy and several other dignitaries were in attendance, said Tiechtel. During the gathering Jewish students simultaneously lit candles and torches symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
The Brandenburg Gate was built by Prussian King Fredrick William II in 1788. When the Nazis came to power they used it to stage marches and rallies, including Hitler’s swearing-in ceremony as chancellor in January 1933. After the war, the gate stood in a virtual no-man’s land straddling the border between East and West Berlin. It was where then US president John F.Kennedy delivered his Ich bin ein Berliner speech and US President Ronald Reagan called on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.
After reunification, the gate is again in the middle of a thriving city, only a stone’s throw away from a large museum remembering the Jews murdered by the Nazis and their allies in the Holocaust.
Tiechtel said many non-Jewish passersby attended the ceremony out of curiosity.
“If the purpose of the menorah is light over darkness, there’s no stronger place to express this than here,” he said.
Children leaving a newly liberated Buchenwald concentration camp on their way to receive much needed medical care. (via USHMM)
ϟ Berlin to provide Israel with 6th submarine
Germany will build and pay up to one-third of the cost of a sixth Dolphinclass submarine to be delivered to the navy, a German government official said on Wednesday.
The agreement in principle to provide the submarine, which foreign reports say enhances Israel’s second strike capability since it can carry nuclear warheads, comes a month after reports that Germany was reconsidering the deal because of anger at the announcement of plans to build some 1,100 housing units in the capital’s Gilo neighborhood, over the Green Line.
The agreement in principle to provide the submarine, which foreign reports say enhances Israel’s second strike capability since it can carry nuclear warheads, comes a month after reports that Germany was reconsidering the deal because of anger at the announcement of plans to build some 1,100 housing units in the capital’s Gilo neighborhood, over the Green Line.
The German official said she did not know whether those reports were accurate. She said Germany will pay up to 135 million euros toward the submarine, which will cost between 372m. and 520m. euros.
Talks on the deal for the sub stalled last year after the Germans declined to underwrite it, as they had done with previous submarine purchases.
Israel already has three Dolphin-class subs; another two are currently under construction in Germany with expected delivery dates of 2012 and 2013. These submarines are considered Israel’s most sophisticated and strategic weapon. The deal for these submarines was agreed upon in 2005, under the government of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
Germany gave Israel the first two submarines of this class after the First Gulf War in 1991, and – according to the German press – split the cost of the third.
Talks on the deal for the sub stalled last year after the Germans declined to underwrite it, as they had done with previous submarine purchases.
Israel already has three Dolphin-class subs; another two are currently under construction in Germany with expected delivery dates of 2012 and 2013. These submarines are considered Israel’s most sophisticated and strategic weapon. The deal for these submarines was agreed upon in 2005, under the government of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
Germany gave Israel the first two submarines of this class after the First Gulf War in 1991, and – according to the German press – split the cost of the third.
ϟ German shul reopens 73 years after pogrom
Glorious synagogue inaugurated in city of Speyer on ruins of old synagogue destroyed by Nazis on Kristallnacht. German president, ministers, hundreds of country’s Jews attend ceremony.
A glorious synagogue was inaugurated in the German city of Speyer on the anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom. The previous shul was destroyed By the Nazis exactly 73 years ago, in 1938.
The synagogue’s rebirth marks the revival of Jewish life in the country which gave the world one of the darkest times in human history.
The ceremony was attended by hundreds of Germany’s Jews, as well as the German president and representatives of the Conference of European rabbis, who inaugurated the synagogue alongside representatives of the German government and municipal district.
Revival of Jewish life in Germany (photo courtesy of Moshe Friedman, Conference of European Rabbis)
German President Christian Wulff said that the revival of Jewish life in German was a gift. “We are glad that a new synagogue was built and that people will be able to pray in it,” he noted.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldsmith during event (photo courtesy of Moshe Friedman, Conference of European Rabbis)
Speyer’s Jewish community has suffered from many anti-Semitic incidents. The town’s first synagogue was built in 1104, eight years after the execution of 10 Jews by the Crusaders. Some 600 Jews live in the area, most of them former Soviet Union residents.
German president alongside ministers and hundreds of Germans Jews (photo courtesy of Moshe Friedman, Conference of European Rabbis)
Glory and elegance (photo courtesy of Moshe Friedman, Conference of European Rabbis)
President of the Conference of European Rabbis and Moscow’s Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldsmith said that the greatest challenge was training rabbis to provide spiritual guidance to Germany’s Jews.
“We have helped greatly in the reestablishment of central Jewish Orthodox educational institutions in Germany, including the Berlin yeshiva which educated Germany’s rabbis until the Holocaust,” he said.
“In this institute, future rabbis are trained to lead the Jewish community across Germany, and it serves as the spiritual center of the German Jewry today.”
