Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, 14 Shevat, commented on the report on anti-Semitism that was presented at the weekly Cabinet meeting:

“This is a very important and significant report. Anti-Semitism still exists and is becoming ever more vicious. I call on the international community to take action against anti-Semitism and strongly condemn all displays of anti-Semitism. It cannot be that 70 years after the Holocaust anti-Semitism can still be seen in full force. In light of what happened in the past, it must be ensured that such a disaster does not recur and this is the responsibility of the EU and the UN, which are silent in face of these worrying data.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed all elements to step up information activity and education around the world against anti-Semitism.

The Cabinet was briefed by – inter alia – Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, Yad Vashem Director Dorit Novak, Foreign Ministry representative Yuval Rotem and Yad Vashem Chief Historian Prof. Dina Porat. They referred to the following subjects:

* The upsurge in anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incidents;

* A majority of those harassing Jews come from among Muslim migrants, especially in Europe;

* Jews in Europe feel threatened;

* Jews are tending to hide their identity in public;

* There is a link between the upsurge in anti-Semitism and increased immigration to Israel or the intent to immigrate to Israel;

* The wave of migrants in Europe is strengthening right-wing elements, a situation which could be detrimental for Jews;

* Right-wing claims in Europe against the presumed intent by Jews to change the demographic order in Europe via Jewish support for Muslim migrants; and

* In contrast to the past, there is a blurring of the distinction between the State of Israel and Jews, and displays of anti-Semitism are linking opposition to Israel and Jew-hatred.

The speakers also referred to efforts by their institutions to instill awareness of the memory of the Holocaust in Israel and around the world, the need to reach new communities and act within educational frameworks around the world and in Israel, and international informational and diplomatic activity to fight anti-Semitism.

Just this week German Chancellor Angela Merkel sated “Anti-Semitism if More Significant than we imaged”, calling on officials in her country to act.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)