Key Elements for Anti-Semitism

by Lee Green

Below are some key elements that are at the core of what fosters anti-Semitism, as well as anti-Christian, and anti-Western sentiments and actions.  If the film glosses over them or omits any, it cannot be considered an in-depth examination.

* Dictators in the Middle East have an interest in diverting the attention of their people away from their lack of freedom, away from their lack of economic progress, and toward a bogeyman, a scapegoat, an "enemy".  Israel and the Jews are a convenient scapegoat because they are the most prominent non-Muslim people in the area.  Jews and Israelis have been dehumanized in the eyes of many Muslims due to ubiquitous vicious anti-Semitic incitement in government-sponsored (in the Muslim world) and other media, and in mosque sermons.  Other non-Muslim groups, such as the Coptic Christians in Egypt, or the Christians in the Palestinian Authority, also suffer discrimination, scapegoating, incitement and violence against them.  It's all part of the same phenomenon. 

* Muslim extremists have a supremacist belief that Muslims are superior to non-Muslims.  It is this bigoted view that underlies the perceived affront or humiliation when non-Muslims govern Muslims or have the appearance of achieving more than Muslims.  It is contrary to the order they believe in and recall.  For example, for centuries, when Muslims ruled over Jews in places such as Iran and Iraq, the Jews were forced into a dhimmi or second-class existence.  They had to wear lesser clothing and a symbol on the outside of their clothes identifying them as non-Muslims.  They were not allowed to use the same bathrooms or water. They had to ride on shorter and lesser quality animals, such as a donkey rather than a horse. They could only work in certain professions allowed by the Muslims. They had to pay a special dhimmi tax. They had to step off of the sidewalk and into t he manure-filled road if a Muslim walked near them...  

This belief in the supremacy of Muslims is one of the reasons why a successful vibrant Israel is unacceptable to the extremists.  It is a constant reminder that their view of the world (where Muslims should be dominant over non-Muslims) doesn't prevail in reality.  This is why Ahmadinejad's threat to destroy Israel is seen as something positive by many in the Muslim world. It would mean the dominance of Islam over the dhimmi people once again.

* According to Muslim extremists, it is unacceptable for a territory that was ever ruled by Muslims to be ruled by a non-Muslim.  The land of Israel was at one time ruled by Muslims (the Ottoman Empire), and therefore, according to Muslim extremists, must be returned to Muslim rule. It doesn't matter that the territory had been previously ruled by non-Muslims. It doesn't matter that Muslim Israelis in Israel are the most free Muslims in the Middle East.  Israeli policies and actions, whether they are good or bad, are irrelevant. The only thing that matters to the extremists is that the Israeli government is not entirely Muslim.  

* Having a modern, mostly secular state, such as Israel, in the heart of the Muslim Middle East, is seen as a cultural contamination by extremist Muslims. The subjugation of women and maintaining the "honor of the family" is central to the extremist Muslim worldview.  Having nearby so many modern unveiled women who see themselves as men's equal is perceived as a very unwelcome and dangerous influence to their way of life.

Originally Published on 1/8/2007 for CAMERA