Ignorance Of Hate
by James Martin - Dec 24
The majority of people in Britain are not aware that anti-semitism is on the rise, despite there being an average of at least one anti–Jewish incident in the UK every day.
According to a survey conducted for the Wall Street Journal last week, 49 per cent of those polled in the UK thought that there had been no change in anti-semitic sentiment in the country.
Just 34 per cent of Britons believed there had been an increase over the last five years.
The survey was conducted across 21 countries with 1,000 people polled in each one.
The only country where the majority of residents sensed an increase in anti-semitism was Belgium.
The UK figures stand in stark contrast to race statistics produced by the Community Security Trust.
A spokesperson said: “Since the start of the second intifada, we have seen a sharp increase in anti-semitic incidents”.
Earlier this year, the CST noted that there had been a 15 per cent hike in violent assaults on the community in 2003, with 375 incidents in total.
Lord Janner, honorary secretary of the all party parliamentary group against anti-semitism, said: “There has been a massive increase in racist anti-semitism in continental Europe over the past five years. This is primarily fuelled by overspill from the middle east.
“The UK has fought to be a land of tolerance and we must ensure events in the Middle East do not provide an excuse to undermine our fine tradition.”
Professor Eric Moonman, chair of the academic response to racism and anti-semitism, explained: “One reason for the lack of awareness is a reluctance among the UK community to report incidents to the police. This is in contrast to Germany and Holland, for example, where they are more willing to alert the authorities.”
http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/s...sp_story=HHrtR2