Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism: 16-17 December 2009

These three
links are to (edited) talks given at the Forum in Jerusalem on 16/17 December 2009. (The three articles are by Professor Gil Troy, Minister Yuli Edelstein of Israel and Minister Jason Kenney of Canada).

I was there along with 500 attendees from every continent and more than 40 countries. Even though none of the speakers offered a magic solution to this growing problem (how could they, since racism is irrational) the overall quality of the speeches was very high indeed.

(the programme is here
And also videos of the speeches)

- here are TV interviews with some of the speakers

I found it very encouraging that so many good people are taking the problem so seriously (several agreed “we are in crisis.”) Gil Troy, Richard Landes, Irwin Cotler, Rabbi Abraham Cooper and Haras Rafiq are clear examples but there were many others. Here are a few choice excerpts:

Professor Robert Wistrich
“Antisemites have always known how to adapt themselves to the Zeitgeist”; “The diabolisation of Zionism reminds me of the 1930s diabolisation of the Jew”.

Dr Pila Rahola
“They are ready to believe that Jews have six arms” (“they” are the Israel haters); “they kill us with cellular phones connected to the Middle Ages”; “Israel embodies the eternal Jews”; “new clothes for an old hater”.

Hannah Rosenthal
“There have been 170 resolutions against Israel in the UN in the last five years. Against North Korea there have been less than 10. In the Human Rights Council there have been 50 Resolutions attacking Israel versus 5 for Sudan”.

John Mann MP
“After the War Crimes arrest warrant was issued for Tsipi Livni, Clare Short should arrest herself, since she was part of the Cabinet that sent British troops to Iraq”.