Hatred for Jews at all-time high, Israeli official tells UN

NEW YORK (Christian Examiner) – The rising tide of anti-Semitism in Europe may cause the second Jewish exodus from the continent in less than 100 years if European governments do not get a handle on the situation, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations said earlier this week.

"Over one-third of European Jews are afraid to wear a yarmulke or Star of David in public," Ambassador Danny Danon told a UN forum on anti-Semitism Sept. 7.

"More than half of French Jews have considered emigrating because they don't feel safe living as Jews in France. Today we hear things about Jews and the Jewish people that we thought belonged to the pages of history.... Anti-Semitism is returning to everyday life without shame."

The hatred of Jews has also gone global, Danon told the gathering. He said social media had enabled "anti-Semitism 2.0" where "the enemies of the Jewish people are using the tools of modern technology to target and harass Jews around the world."

"Make no mistake – attacks against Jews online lead directly to attacks against Jews on the street," he said.

Danon said Jews had become scapegoats in previous times when economies weakened or influxes of immigration began to change a country's culture. That danger is again present, he said.

In order to curb anti-Semitism, Danon said the countries of Europe have to take "immediate and concrete action" to tackle the problem. He called on social media companies to take preventative steps, but he also said member countries of the UN have to stop telling lies about Israel.

"There is a place where some are not ashamed to spread lies and slander about Israel and the Jewish people and you are sitting in it right now, here at the UN," Danon said.