wyluzowana.kaczka
26.11.09, 09:51
The purpose of this document is to provide a practical guide for identifying
incidents, collecting data, and supporting the implementation and enforcement
of legislation dealing with antisemitism.
Working definition:
``Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as
hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are
directed toward Jewish or nonJewish individuals and/or their property, toward
Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.''
In addition, such manifestations could also target the state of Israel,
conceived as a Jewish collectivity. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with
conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for ``why
things go wrong.'' It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and
action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.
Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the
workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall
context, include, but are not limited to:
* Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the
name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
* Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical
allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective - such as,
especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of
Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
* Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined
wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts
committed by nonJews.
* Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or
intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National
Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the
Holocaust).
* Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or
exaggerating the Holocaust.
* Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the
alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
Examples of the ways in which antisemitism manifests itself with regard to the
state of Israel taking into account the overall context could include:
* Denying the Jewish people their right to selfdetermination, e.g., by
claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
* Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or
demanded of any other democratic nation.
* Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g.,
claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
* Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
* Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country
cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are
so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of
antisemitic materials in some countries). Criminal acts are antisemitic when
the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property---such as
buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries---are selected because
they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews. Antisemitic
discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to
others and is illegal in many countries.
