The reality of Anti-Semitism

In the same week in which I wrote about the worldwide rise in anti-Semitism, four Jewish people were killed at the Jewish museum in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday 24 May 2014. It is even more tragic that it took place on the Jewish holy day of Shabbat.

Emanuel and Miriam Riva, a couple in their 50’s from Tel Aviv were among the victims who visited Belgium as tourists. A third fatality was a volunteer at the Jewish Museum of Belgium and the fourth victim was a 23 year old employee at the museum. Just hours after this deadly shooting two Jews were attacked outside a synagogue in France.

 The fatal killings in Belgium remind us of the killing of a Rabbi and his family in France two years ago. These atrocities are undoubtedly the result of continual incitement against Jews, which is, unfortunately on the rise in Europe.  It became popular to blame Jews for everything under the sun.  The Turkish media even blamed Israel for the recent mine disaster in Turkey.

The shocking reality is, it seems that the world and specifically Europe where the Holocaust took place learned nothing from history. It can be argued that Muslim fundamentalists are to be blamed in some European countries and certainly that were the case with the killings in France, but in other European countries it is home-grown hatred of Jews. The phenomenal growth of the far right wing political parties is therefore of great concern.

True Christians in Europe need to oppose the false narrative about Jews and propagate the truth about Israel. Thank God for those who stand up for the truth. Fortunately, many Arab people begin to see that Israel is not the devil the Palestinians make her out to be.

The following are some of the comments posted on Arab media and social websites in response to the Olmert (former Prime Minister of Israel) verdict:

Ali Al-Kadi: “We salute Judge David Rosen [who sentenced Olmert to prison]. We wish the Arabs had 22 judges like David Rosen!” [Al-Quds Al-Arabi]

Mohammed Akash: “O Muslims, look at the fairness of this judge and where you are. You must learn from our enemy, Israel. Long live the fair Israeli judicial system.”[Al-Quds Al-Arabi]

Manji Dalali: “This is one of the secrets behind Israel’s victory over the Arabs. We must learn from our Jewish Zionist enemy the principles of fair justice. “[Al-Quds Al-Arabi]

Ibrahim – Libya: “We Muslims are in great need of a decent judicial system to punish our thieves and corrupt leaders. May God help us.” [Al-Quds Al-Arabi]

Hassan Jamal: “I wish Arab countries do the same for their corrupt leaders. I wish the Arab people will do the same for their countries and get rid of corrupt officials, including presidents and kings.” [Al-Quds]

Mohammed: “Of course Islam is the best religion. But the regimes that claim to endorse Islam are practicing repression and corruption. Meanwhile, Israel is among the democratic countries and is better than all the Arab and Islamic countries when it comes to respecting its people and combating theft of resources.” [Al-Wasat News]

Adel: “This is the secret to Israel’s success; it has become a symbol of justice because it has made justice one of its major bases of power. We, on the other hand, are doing the opposite. We continue to cover up cases of corruption and do not do anything about them.” [Echorouk Online]

Abu Zeid: “I live in Israel and am familiar with its laws. In this state, no one is above the law.” [Al-Arabiya]

Sami Dirani: “Israel is the enemy of the Arabs…but it practices democracy – something the Arabs do not know. That is why Israel is stronger and more advanced than the Arabs, who are busy slaughtering each other. Some [Arabs] are dying of starvation, while others are swimming in pools of dollars.” [Al-Hayat]

Hani: “The hadith [prophet’s sayings] states that we should seek education, even if it is in China. And I say to Muslims, ‘Learn justice even if it’s from Israel.’ I wish the day would come when our leaders would be brought to trial and have our money taken back from them.” [Assawsana][11]

Yasalam: “If Olmert were in Kuwait, his case would have been shelved and he would have received a senior position in government.” [Al-Aan]

Rahhal: “The Zionists have more justice than our thugs and so-called Muslims.” [Al-Aan]

Kabir al-Muhandiseen: “This is how states are built. This is the secret to Israel’s strength and steadfastness.” [Al-Aan]

Muhasabah: “In Israel, they hold their officials accountable and send them to prison, while we Arabs glorify the corrupt.” [Al-Aan]

Zuhear al-Karim: “How many Arab leaders would be left if they went on trial for similar cases of bribery and corruption?” [Arabic CNN]

Abdo Shehatah: “The Jews continue to prove, every day, that they have real democracy in this world.” [Arabic CNN]

Saad Sayad: “Law is above all and this is democracy. Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East.” [Arabic CNN]

Watch video: Anti-Semitism on the rise in EU