(Guardian-UK) Stephen Byers - As the agnostic child of practicing Methodist parents, I have viewed with alarm the dramatic increase in anti-Semitic attacks and asked myself if it is really the case that Jews must denounce the behavior of the Israeli government in order to earn a European commitment to fight anti-Semitism. Of course, criticism of Israel's policy is not, of itself, anti-Semitic. But it can become so when it involves applying double standards, holds all Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, or reveals a demonization of Jews. It is clearly anti-Semitism if it provides an excuse for anti-Jewish hatred. The writer is chairman of the Parliamentary Committee Against Antisemitism.
2004-03-16 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive