Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Rabbi Michael Melchior yesterday announced the establishment of an international forum for the struggle against anti-Semitism. Speaking at a Foreign Ministry Press Conference, Melchior said that anti-Semites in recent months have claimed to be “anti-Zionists” in order to justify their attacks on Jews. Many of the recent anti-Semitic attacks have taken place in Europe, particularly in France. Melchior blamed the Arab States for the recent surge in anti-Semitism, noting the attempt by the Arab world to demonize Israel at the UN Conference on Racism in Durban, South Africa in September 2001.
Melchior will head a steering committee that will approach well-known leaders from around the world and ask them to serve as executive board members for the newly established international forum.
In a related story, the Israeli government is now offering new immigrants from France and South Africa an attractive immigration package of benefits to encourage aliyah (immigration) of Jews from these countries. Last week, the government announced a similar offer for new immigrants from Argentina as a result of the grave economic situation and political turmoil there.
In France today, there are about 600,000 Jews. Many of them live close to large Muslim population centers and report sharp increases in anti-Semitic attacks of late. There are approximately 80,000 Jews remaining in South Africa. According to Israeli government estimates, some 10% percent are in a potentially dangerous situation.
Melchior will head a steering committee that will approach well-known leaders from around the world and ask them to serve as executive board members for the newly established international forum.
In a related story, the Israeli government is now offering new immigrants from France and South Africa an attractive immigration package of benefits to encourage aliyah (immigration) of Jews from these countries. Last week, the government announced a similar offer for new immigrants from Argentina as a result of the grave economic situation and political turmoil there.
In France today, there are about 600,000 Jews. Many of them live close to large Muslim population centers and report sharp increases in anti-Semitic attacks of late. There are approximately 80,000 Jews remaining in South Africa. According to Israeli government estimates, some 10% percent are in a potentially dangerous situation.