1. ANTI-SEMITISM PEAKS AS HOLOCAUST IS REMEMBERED

Anti-Semitism refuses to die. As we commemorate the Holocaust, Jew hatred in Europe rises to dangerous levels. If Europe continues to ignore this phenomenon, it will be to its own peril.

Yesterday was the International Day for the Commemoration of the Holocaust, and the UN instituted event was commemorated in many nations across the world. Some of the countries that saw their Jewish population being annihilated 65 years ago, received top Israeli officials who participated in the commemoration ceremonies. Prime Minister Netanyahu visited Poland and the Auschwitz death camp; President Peres addressed the German Parliament in Bonn, Foreign Minister Lieberman went to Budapest and his deputy, Danny Ayalon to Bratislava.

Meanwhile a report presented by Jewish Agency Chairman, Natan Sharansky, revealed that anti-Semitism has reached its highest level since World War II. The number of attacks, as well as their severity, have intensified. In addition, there has been a campaign of anti-Semitic incidents in the media with the latest being an accusation of Jewish organ trafficking in connection with the catastrophe in Haiti.

In a speech at Yad Va-Shem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem on Monday, Netanyahu addressed the growing anti-Semitism: “There is new Jew hatred in our midst.  There are new calls for the extermination of the Jewish State… [The international community] is tested today whether it will stand up to the truth, to the evidence of evil, to the design of mass murder.” While connecting the museum exhibit to present day realities the Prime Minister added succinctly: “There is evil in the world; if it is unstopped, it expands.”

Comment:
Accusations are often leveled against Israelis and others who warn against the rising phenomenon of anti-Semitism. It is claimed that they abuse this sensitive concept in an attempt to silence Israel’s enemies. Now the facts are, once again, on the table for everyone to see. Jews wearing items identifying them as Jews are no longer safe in the streets of Western Europe. Synagogues, cultural centers, and Israeli embassies need protection 24/7. Israeli representatives participating in public events are in need of bodyguards and the audience is often screened before being allowed entrance. Keep in mind, we are speaking of Europe; enlightened, tolerant, and peaceful Europe, guardian of justice and morality – or so we like to think.

True, there are instances when the proper word for a specific claim against Jews should not be understood as an outburst of anti-Semitism. But the main problem is not overuse of the word, but denial of the phenomenon. Moreover, even if it could be argued, as is done in the case of the Swedish author Donald Boström who wrote the infamous article about Israeli soldiers allegedly trading in organs, that Boström is not an anti-Semite, writing such material is playing with dark forces. Such material has tremendous anti-Semitic potential, and that potential is tragically being revealed daily in the streets of Europe. Those who provide the gas and the matches should not be surprised when they see the flames.

As the Holocaust is further and further removed from us, historically and mentally, and as the number of living survivors is rapidly decreasing, the forces of the new anti-Semitism are gathering strength. European politicians, journalists, and academics should do a serious soul search and come out powerfully against this hatred before it again becomes uncontrollable. Today the Jews have a refuge and a defense in the State of Israel. This is a major difference; and the relatively small number of Jews in Europe is another. However, for Europe’s own part, ridding the continent of Jew-hatred is its responsibility; its moral imperative - If the continent is to avoid its own moral corruption and disintegration.

2. FOREIGN ARMIES LEARN FROM THE IDF

Soldiers from around the world come to Israel to learn urban warfare. But how does this go together with the international condemnation of Israeli warfare in Gaza?

It has been going on for some years, but lately the number of foreign countries who send soldiers to learn how to do urban warfare from Israel has increased. In order to accommodate the increasing number of groups from different parts of world, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has established a special department called Foreign Training Branch (FTB).

Lieutenant Colonel Tal Lazarus heads the FTB and says the Israeli experience with urban warfare has provided the IDF with an expertise that is much wanted also in the fight against terrorism. At the Tze’elim Base, the IDF has built unique training facilities where Israeli and foreign soldiers practice together. It is considered the best school in the world for this kind of training. The year 2010 is already overbooked.

After completing training exercises, that may go on from one to three weeks, the soldiers are offered a familiarization tour of Israel. “We try to bring them the story of Israel in the shortest amount of time,” Major Limor Lian says, and adds: When  they return to their countries, they definitely feel closer to us and understand the complex reality of our lives in Israel and the threats against us.”

Comment:
Something is manifestly wrong here. Are we not speaking about the IDF; the army that stands accused of genocide and massacres in Gaza a year ago; the army that according to the Goldstone Report, intentionally targeted civilians during that conflict; the army whose leaders risk being put to trial in Europe for war crimes and crimes against humanity; the army which is accused of implementing “a brutal occupation” and “apartheid regime” in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), and so on and so forth? How can this apparently immoral and defunct army have anything to teach anyone?

These questions may be responded to by referring to the heydays of communism.  The communist countries at one time also offered their services to those who were willing to learn – such as the terrorist organizations of the 1970s, including the PLO. So the fact that someone is willing to learn does not say much about what is taught. The teaching could consist of terribly immoral things.

This is true, but in regard to Israel, the case is different. In this instance we have the democracies of Europe, the US, and other continents – nations that have signed and obligated themselves to follow the rules of warfare – that come to Israel to learn. We are not speaking of terror organization for which rules of warfare and human dignity are curse words. These nations come to Israel because they see her as an example in fighting terrorism. Israel has a proven successful. More than that, they understand that while fighting terrorism, Israel is doing its best and has a great measure of success in upholding international and humanitarian law. So while the nations attack Israel for the worst of war crimes, they send their soldiers to learn Israel’s methods. Something is indeed wrong, but it is not on the side of the accused. 

3. ISRAEL CELEBRATES TU B’SHVAT – THE HOLIDAY OF TREES

4. HISTORICAL FLASHBACK: JULY 3, 1936