Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Netherlands: chief rabbi: "Being called a dirty Jew is normal these days"

The author of the article states that there is "a substantial Jewish population, numbering 30,000" in Holland.  For a total population of 17 million, a Jewish population of 30,000 cannot by any means be considered "substantial".  By way of comparison, there are around 36,000 Jews in nearby Belgian for a total population of 11 million.  Besides one wonders what's the point of yet another campaign against antisemitism.
  
The Jerusalem Post reports:

Addressing a new campaign against anti-Semitism which calls on European gentiles to publicly wear Jewish symbols in solidarity with their Jewish neighbors, Holland's cheif rabbi chose to share his views on the startlingly dramatic rise of anti-Jewish hatred he has witnessed.

Speaking to the European Jewish Association, Rabbi Benjamin Jacobs, the leader of Holland's substantial Jewish population, numbering 30,000, expressed concern at the reemergence of anti-Semitism in the country.

"Forty years ago when I came to Holland, it never ever happened that someone will call me in the street a dirty Jew or curse me because I'm Jewish, visibly Jewish. Today it's normal."

"It happened already to me personally," the rabbi explained. "They [anti-Semites] threw things at my windows. A car drove into me, but thank God, the government is protecting me in a very good and friendly way."

Yet many Dutch Jews feel the affects of a growing tide of anti-Jewish sentiment. Many Jews have even taken to hiding their identity for fear of being harassed or even attacked. More.

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