Jewish Times - 05.07.2004

Baltimore Jewish Times

Striking Europe's Intolerance


Maryland congressman helps move Europeans to condemn anti-Israel beliefs as mask for anti Semitism

By James D. Besser, Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON – Participants in last week’s groundbreaking anti-Semitism conference in Berlin, held under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, say the gathering exceeded their expectation. One big reason” for the first time, European governments acknowledged that much of the current anti-Semitism revival hides behind criticism of Israel.

But Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), a tope member of the official U.S. delegation, warned that the battle against European anti-Semitism is far from over.

“We’re seeing anti-Semitism out of control in parts of Europe,” he told the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES this week. “This meeting was an important first step in dealing with that, but there’s a lot more that has to be done.”

Helping in the battle was extensive European news coverage of the meeting, said Mark Levin, executive director of NCSJ, a leading Soviet Jewry group.

For months, Jewish groups and administration officials pressed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to focus the meeting on practical steps member nations must take to turn back the anti-Semitic tide, not just condemning anti-Semitism in broad-brush terms.

As a result, the final document declares that OSCE members will share information on the spread of anti-Semitism and “best practices” for combating it. Member nations also agreed to invest in educational and law enforcement programs aimed at reducing hate crimes, and to appoint a roving OSCE envoy to help members “develop specific strategies.”

The most important and surprising outcome, Mr. Cardin said, is “that we got an acknowledgement by all 55 countries that criticisms of Israel can be a mask for anti-Semitism.” 

That, he added, emphasized the role of non-0governmental groups; European leaders still balk at identifying their own actions, and in particular their one-sided approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as contributing to anti-Semitism.

“Remember,” Mr. Cardin said, “this is a consensus document. Any one country could have blocked anything.”

Secretary of State Colin Powell came to the conference to reinforce the message.

“It is not anti-Semitic to criticize the policies of the State of Israel,” Mr. Powell said.

Mr. Powell’s presence, said Mr. Cardin, “gave a very clear signal of the priority of the U.S. attaches to this process. It had a major impact.”

A personal and emotional high point for the Maryland legislator was a state dinner at the home of the president of Germany, a gathering loaded with symbolic importance because of the presence of Israel’s president.

Mr. Cardin noted his experiences showed him that “it’s frightening that Jews in Berlin are told they can’t wear a kippah, that the Jewish centers need armed guards, that they have to celebrate Jewish traditions quietly,” he said. “That’s a horrible way to grow up in a Western European country. It’s anti-Semitism out of control.”

Mr. Cardin’s high profile and that of the congressional delegation in general was not unnoticed.

“Rep. Cardin effectively used his status as a member of Congress at this conference,” said Reva Price, Washington representative for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. “He really knew his stuff.”

She also praised the efforts of Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), another member of th4e official U.S. delegation.

Mr. Smith told the Anti-Defamation League conference here this week that at the conference pointed to another factor in the dramatic rise of anti-Semitism: the silence of many European leaders.

“When national leaders fail to denounce anti-Semitic violence and slurs, the void is not only demoralizing to the victims but silence actually enables the wrongdoing,” he said. “Silence by elected officials in particular conveys approval – or at least acquiescence – and can contribute to a climate of fear and a sense of vulnerability.”

Jewish activists also were pleased that a major U.S. civil rights group – the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights – actively participated in non-governmental organization events.

In a strong statement, the LCCR declared that “the demonization of Jews individually or collectively, including in connection with criticism of Israel or Zionism, is anti-Semitic and a form of racism.”