Mainline American Christian "Peacemakers" against Israel

Dexter Van Zile

In 2004 and 2005, a group of five liberal Protestant churches in the United States broadcasted a narrative that portrayed Israel as almost solely responsible for the violence of the Second Intifada. This campaign was evident in "peacemaking" resolutions approved by the legislative bodies of these churches and in the books produced by the publishing houses associated with them. Largely because of their shrinking numbers, the churches involved in this campaign have had little impact on the American public's attitudes toward Israel. Nevertheless, by aligning themselves with extremist groups in the Middle East and the United States who seek to delegitimize Israel as a Jewish state, these churches have contributed to the mainstreaming of anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism in American society.

Reassessing Pope Pius XII's Attitudes toward the Holocaust

- Interview with Robert S. Wistrich

A judgment on Pius XII's attitude during and after the war should not be limited to his silence on the genocide of the Jews. The pope remained largely neutral about the German atrocities against the Polish people. Nor did he condemn the genocidal Catholic Croatian fascist state and its leader Ante Pavelić. Pius XII was neither "Hitler's pope" nor a "righteous Gentile." The polished diplomat ultimately won out over the voice of conscience in facing the formidable trial of the Holocaust. The result has been to leave a dark cloud over Christian attitudes toward the Jews, Judaism, and Israel that it has taken decades of patient work to overcome.

Insights into the Situation of the Jews in the Netherlands

- Interview with Henri Markens

The immigration of Muslims and the rise of Islam in the Netherlands have created problems for the Jewish community and will continue to do so. The Jewish community faces increasing anti-Semitism. This has led to enhanced security measures. It also threatens to intensify attitudes based on fear. An important element in Dutch Jewish history over the past decade was the restitution negotiations. As a result, the Dutch government made a payment of 400 million guilders (180 million Euros) to the Dutch community. Banks, insurance companies, and the stock exchange made additional payments that totaled 340 million guilders (155 million Euros).

American Jewry's Future as Seen Fifty Years Ago and Now

- Steven Bayme

The twenty-first century has challenged if not shattered much of the prevailing optimism about the American Jewish future. Nevertheless, the United States continues to be the Diaspora society most welcoming of Jews and receptive to Jewish participation. Jewish renewal coexists alongside a larger narrative of Jewish assimilation. Jewish political influence may well have peaked, and its continuation should not be taken for granted.

Political Islam, Word Politics and Europe by Bassam Tibi

- Reviewed by Daphne Burdman

Bassam Tibi examines Islamist expansionism both in Muslim and Western societies, a phenomenon that appears in violent and deceptively peaceful guises. He presents a penetrating and analytical study of the West's inability to comprehend the underlying ideologies of Islamism, which is crucial if it hopes effectively to confront this increasingly dire situation.

The Resurgence of Anti-Semitism: Jews, Israel and Liberal Opinion by Bernard Harrison

- Malcolm F. Lowe

These are people whose criticism of Israel, and collaterally of Jews, has a hardly deniable anti-Semitic resonance, yet who almost invariably believe, with as much sincerity as they can muster, that they are anything but anti-Semites, that they are actively opposed to all racism whether directed at Jews or anyone else. This is the phenomenon with which Harrison's book is concerned.

Major Anti-Semitic Motifs in Arab Cartoons

- Joël Kotek

The main recurrent motif in Arab cartoons concerning Israel is "the devilish Jew." This image conveys the idea that Jews behave like Nazis, kill children and love blood. The similarity with themes promulgated by the Nazis is evident. Many Arab cartoons praise suicide bombing or call for murder. The collective image of the Jews thus projected lays the groundwork for a possible genocide. 

Antisemitism Embedded in British Culture

- Interview with Robert S. Wistrich

The anti-Zionist narrative probably has greater legitimacy in Great Britain than in any other Western society. Antisemitism of the "anti-Zionist" variety has achieved such resonance, particularly in elite opinion, that various British media are leaders in this field. The UK holds a pioneering position in promoting academic boycotts of Israel. The same is true for trade-union efforts at economic boycotts. There is also no other Western society where jihadi radicalism has proved as violent and dangerous as in the UK.

Benedict XVI, the Lefebvrians, the Jews, and the State of Israel

- Sergio I. Minerbi

This article explores the relations between the Catholic Church and the Jews from the middle of the previous century until the present day. It will focus on how the Catholic Church has dealt with memory of the Shoah and how this has affected the Church's relations with the Jews. It will look at the most recent developments in dialogue between the Church and the Jews under Pope Benedict XVI and the impact of his visit to Israel in May 2009.

Prejudice and Demonization In The Swedish Middle East Debate During The 2006 Lebanon War

- Mathan Ravid

Durban 2: An Important Victory in the Narrative Wars?

- Prof. Gerald Steinberg

Eight years after the disastrous 2001 Durban conference on racism, which adopted a strategy of demonizing Israel through abusing the rhetoric of human rights, the review conference held recently in Geneva marked a major turning point. Ten major governments did not participate, and the presence of anti-Israel NGOs that exploit human rights was kept to a minimum. This presentation will discuss the factors behind this change, and its implications for the continuing narrative wars.

Argentina: A Case Study on Current Anti-Semitism

- Dr. Gustavo Perednik

Technology and Jewish Life

- Manfred Gerstenfeld and Avraham Wyler

Technology continues to have a strong and specific impact on Jewish life. From a socio-halakhic viewpoint, technology influences Jews' choice of residence, has socialized and politicized kashrut certification, and has changed modes of Jewish study. The development of new technologies has brought with it many halakhic challenges and decisions, on Shabbat observance among other things.