2024-09-11 14:41:02
The third part of today’s networking conference on anti-Semitism in parliament focused on developments in the Middle East and their impact on our society. Hillel Neuer, Director General of the non-governmental organization UN Watch, stressed the responsibility of the United Nations. In view of the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and the resulting wave of anti-Semitism, the United Nations must provide “moral clarity and leadership.” He sharply criticized the activities of the UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), which he said in some cases promote anti-Israeli resentment and even terrorism.
In his statement, the Arab-Israeli journalist Yoseph Haddad emphasized the connection between hostility towards Israel and the rejection of Western values. Christoph Piorkowski, also a journalist, discussed the “cognitive dissonance” through which the terrorist attack on Israel could have led to a wave of anti-Semitism. In the subsequent discussion, all parliamentary representatives condemned the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 and also viewed them as an attack on the West and its values.
Hillel Neuer on the responsibility of the global community
Jews around the world are currently in their “darkest hour since the Holocaust,” stated Hillel Neuer. Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, they and their institutions in Europe, for example, have been subjected to constant attacks and can hardly live out their identity freely. Public opinion also mostly “points the finger at Israel,” even though Hamas’ “barbaric acts” were committed against Israelis. Neuer spoke of false accusations that fuel global anti-Semitism – for example, that Israel is bombing hospitals.
The United Nations also played an inglorious role in this. Its General Assembly never once condemned Hamas for the terrorist attack, and states such as Iran, Syria or North Korea could hardly expect criticism. Israel, on the other hand, has already been condemned 15 times in resolutions and acts as a “scapegoat” for dictatorships, said Neuer. He considered the activities of the UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) to be particularly problematic. Among other things, the agency is responsible for the education of around 90% of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and receives hundreds of millions in funding from the international community for this. However, instead of ensuring that human rights are communicated, UNWRA employees regularly called for the murder of Jews, demonized Israel and incited anti-Semitism, reported Neuer. Some of them even held high-ranking positions within Hamas.
Neuer called on the conference participants to work to stop funding UNWRA and to find a replacement for the organization. In general, he called on the United Nations to live up to its founding promise. Especially in the current situation, it must “provide moral clarity and leadership.” This means, for example, condemning Hamas for its crimes, such as the use of human shields, said Neuer.
Yoseph Haddad advocates the defense of Judeo-Christian values
Yoseph Haddad spoke about his childhood in Israel and his friendships with people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. He vehemently rejected the accusation that Israel is an “apartheid state”. Arab Israelis like him take on leading roles in all areas of society – for example in the Knesset or the army.
As a “proud citizen of Israel,” Haddad also volunteered for service in the Israel Defense Forces, during which he was seriously wounded by a Hezbollah rocket. The terrorists’ rockets do not distinguish between Arabs and Jews, Haddad pointed out. The current war is not a conflict between the two groups, but a manifestation of Hamas’ “genocidal ideology” of denying Israel the right to exist. After all, the goal of Hamas and other terrorist organizations is not only the destruction of Israel, but also that of Western, Judeo-Christian values, Haddad explained.
Christoph Piorkowski: Anti-Semitic wave based on “cognitive dissonance”
Less than 24 hours after Hamas’ attack on Israel and before the Israeli military had taken any relevant action, the “self-righteous of all nations” had already “fantasised” a genocide against the Palestinians, explained Christoph Piorkowski. In this context, he spoke of a “cognitive dissonance” in particular among certain circles in Europe that were subject to an “anti-Semitic delusion”. Of course, the suffering of children in the Gaza Strip, for example, is to be regretted, but anti-Semites from all directions are not at all interested in these children. Hatred of Jews is disguised as self-defense, said Piorkowski.
October 7, 2023 confirmed that even the most brutal form of anti-Semitism produces more anti-Semitism instead of a clear stance against it. Previously hidden resentments are now coming to light and manifesting themselves, among other things, in the desecration of memorial sites or the demonization of Jews on social media. Anti-imperialist leftists, Islamists and fascists are demonstrating together against Israel, Piorkowski said, illustrating the “cross-front phenomenon” of anti-Semitism. To prevent Jewish life from being put under even greater pressure, it is important to resolutely counter such narratives.
Two-state solution and freedom of expression
During the subsequent discussion, István Hiller, a member of the Hungarian parliament, recounted an experience he had during a visit to Israel in early February. He was there with a parliamentary delegation at the invitation of Israel to meet family members of the kidnapped hostages. They also visited places where the tragedy of October 7, 2023 took place. He spoke of looted houses, blood and bullet holes. And of a conversation with a man who was born in Transylvania in Romania and moved to the town just 300 meters from the border 15 years ago. The man said that it was a conscious decision to move so close to the Palestinians. He and his family wanted to show themselves and the world that it was possible to live together in peace. The man said: “I’m staying here. We are not giving up, we want to live here in peace.” Hiller left his story uncommented.
Peter De Rover, President of the Belgian Parliament, stressed that it is a sad fact that such a conference has to take place at all for current reasons. It should actually be a historic conference to study the past. He demanded that the fight against anti-Semitism must be a prominent item on the political agenda, as well as the commitment to the hostages of October 7, 2023 and the victims on both sides. There is an urgent need for peace for all, an end to violence in the Middle East, Israel and Palestine. De Rover insisted on the two-state solution with the non-negotiable right to exist for Israel. At the same time, he emphasized the need for freedom to criticize governments. Restricting freedom of expression is not a way to deal with anti-Semitism.
Angelos Syrigos, a member of the Greek parliament, stressed that condemning the war in Gaza is not anti-Semitism, but demonizing Israel and using slogans such as “From the river to the sea” as a call for genocide is. Syrigos also stated that the attack on October 7 and the hostage-taking were condemned. Condemning anti-Semitism is not superficial. He said: “We stand together against anti-Semitism, whether from the right or the left, it is a threat to the foundations of the EU.”
Help instead of financing terrorism
Ariel Kallner, a member of the Israeli Knesset, stressed that radical Islamism threatens the free world. Radical Islamism wants to build a single nation, the nation of Islam. Kaller has no doubt that the Middle East has an influence on the Western world. He called the Iranian regime the “head of the snake”. Kallner said that the West no longer has influence on numerous organizations that were actually founded to help and now support terrorism, such as UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). Addressing the conference participants, he added that together with people like them, people who stand up for the Jews, they will win.
Harris Georgiades, a member of the Cypriot parliament, identified the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, as an attack on the world order, an attack on the West and its values, such as free democracy. For years, the enemies had been made to believe that they were incapable of standing up for their own values. Now the West must wake up, because the freedom of democracy must be protected. Georgiades stressed that he fully supports Israel’s right to self-defense. At the same time, the military solution is not everything; peaceful means are also needed. He named political solutions as the only way to create suitable conditions for Israel and to protect Jews all over the world.
EU-wide solidarity required
Marjana Petir, a member of parliament from Croatia, also stressed that Israel has a right to self-defense. She also demanded that Europe clearly condemn Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Europe also needs to use its economic influence. We cannot continue relations with organizations that finance terrorism, Petir made clear.
Austrian National Council member Martin Engelberg highlighted Austria’s clear position. The government program already states that it does not support one-sided resolutions against Israel. Apart from the Czech Republic, there are not many partners in the EU that would take such a clear position on this. Engelberg stressed that it would make absolutely no sense to recognize a Palestinian state. How could one explain this if one recognized a Palestinian state but not a Kosovo state, he asked. He added another: Why not put the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the list of terrorist organizations when we know that they finance terrorism? Engelberg used the opportunity to mobilize against a UN resolution that is to be voted on next week. The resolution in question, initiated by the Palestinian Authority, would deny Israel any legitimacy and use all forms of anti-Semitism. Engelberg would like to see alliances formed in the EU and a stand taken against it, which is what is needed in the fight against anti-Semitism and in the fight for peace. (End of Anti-Semitism Conference) wit/map
NOTES: Photos from the Anti-Semitism Conference can be found in Parliament’s web portalA recording will be available after the conference in the Parliament’s Media Library.
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Table of Contents
Confronting the Rise of Anti-Semitism: A Call to Action
On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a devastating terrorist attack on Israel, which has led to a significant surge in anti-Semitic incidents globally. The recent networking conference on anti-Semitism in parliament brought together experts to discuss the alarming trends and the role of the international community in combating this hate.
The Darkest Hour Since the Holocaust
Hillel Neuer, Director General of UN Watch, painted a dire picture of the current state of anti-Semitism, stating that Jews worldwide are facing their “darkest hour since the Holocaust.” The past year has seen a significant escalation of attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe, and the public discourse has largely shifted the blame to Israel, perpetuating false accusations that fuel global anti-Semitism [[3]].
The United Nations’ Responsibility
Neuer emphasized the United Nations’ (UN) responsibility in providing “moral clarity and leadership” in the face of rising anti-Semitism. The UN’s General Assembly has failed to condemn Hamas for the terrorist attack, and instead, has condemned Israel 15 times in resolutions, making it a scapegoat for dictatorships. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA) has also been criticized for promoting anti-Israeli resentment and even terrorism through its educational programs.
Defending Judeo-Christian Values
Yoseph Haddad, an Arab-Israeli journalist, highlighted the connection between hostility towards Israel and the rejection of Western values. He emphasized that Arab Israelis like him play leading roles in various areas of society, debunking the myth that Israel is an “apartheid state.” Haddad stressed that the current war is not a conflict between Arabs and Jews but a manifestation of Hamas’ genocidal ideology denying Israel’s right to exist, which also threatens Western, Judeo-Christian values.
Cognitive Dissonance and Anti-Semitism
Christoph Piorkowski, a journalist, discussed the ”cognitive dissonance” that has led to a wave of anti-Semitism. He noted that less than 24 hours after Hamas’ attack, the “self-righteous” had already fantasized a genocide against Palestinians, demonstrating an anti-Semitic delusion. Piorkowski argued that hatred of Jews is disguised as self-defense, and the suffering of children in Gaza is exploited to justify anti-Semitic sentiments.
A Call to Action
As anti-Semitism continues to rise, it is essential for the international community to take a clear stance against it. The UN must provide moral clarity and leadership, condemning Hamas for its crimes and ensuring that organizations like UNWRA do not promote anti-Semitism. The global community must defend Judeo-Christian values and reject the ideology of hatred and intolerance.
the recent networking conference on anti-Semitism in parliament has highlighted the urgent need for action against the rising tide of anti-Semitism. It is crucial for governments, international organizations, and civil society to come together to combat this hate, promote education, and defend the values of tolerance and coexistence.
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Condemning Anti-Semitism: Global Leaders Unite Against Hate
In a powerful display of solidarity, leaders from around the world have come together to condemn the recent surge in anti-Semitic attacks and to advocate for the importance of defending Jewish lives and values.
At a recent parliamentary conference, Hillel Neuer, Director General of UN Watch, emphasized the responsibility of the United Nations to provide “moral clarity and leadership” in the face of rising anti-Semitism. Neuer criticized the UN’s lack of condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, highlighting the organization’s hypocrisy in condemning Israel 15 times in resolutions while ignoring the actions of dictatorships.
Yoseph Haddad, an Arab-Israeli journalist, spoke about the connection between hostility towards Israel and the rejection of Western values. He emphasized the importance of defending Judeo-Christian values and combating Hamas’ “genocidal ideology” that seeks to destroy Israel.
Christoph Piorkowski, a journalist, discussed the “cognitive dissonance” that has led to a wave of anti-Semitism in the wake of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. He stressed the need to counter false narratives and to take a clear stance against anti-Semitism.
The conference also featured lawmakers from Europe, including István Hiller, a member of the Hungarian parliament, and Peter De Rover, President of the Belgian Parliament. They reiterated the importance of fighting anti-Semitism, promoting peace in the Middle East, and protecting freedom of expression.
The Rise of Anti-Semitism
Unfortunately, the recent attacks on Israel have led to a surge in anti-Semitic incidents around the world. In Europe, Jewish institutions have been subjected to constant attacks, and Jews are increasingly afraid to express their identity openly[[[1](https://www.bbc.com
