Anti-semitism Continues in Europe but Incidents Seem to Have Dropped

Anti-Semitism in Europe nearly 40 years after the defeat of Hitler, was examined by representatives of nine European Jewish communities at a day-long session here last week under the auspices of the European Committee on Anti-Semitism of the World Jewish Congress.

The sober assessment was that anti-Semitism still exists to a degree that demands constant vigilance and preventive measures. The discussants, all specialists in the field, agreed that the anti-Semitic pressures which European Jews have felt in recent years, has lessened somewhat.

They noted that the strength of neo-Nazi type organizations has not increased and the number of anti-Semitic incidents has declined. But it takes only a few extremists to commit acts of terror and vandalism and therefore security measures must be kept fully operative, the experts concluded.

They found significant danger signs for Jews in the growing xenophobia in Europe which has been directed so far against foreign workers by rightwing propagandists. Jews are especially disturbed by the electoral successes in France of the far right National Front, headed by Jean Le Pen who insists he is not anti-Semitic but has a record of long association with some of the worst anti-Semitic elements.

The discussion, which was chaired by Martin Savitt, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, also emphasized that the anti-Zionist propaganda coming mainly from the exteme left, caused the greatest concern because, whatever its motivation or purpose, it easily produces anti-Semitic effects.

The meeting agreed that all manifestations of anti-Semitism are best fought by legislative measures against hate propaganda. The panel urged that such legislation be introduced or tightened in all countries and called on Jewish communities to establish or strengthen relations with the ethnic and religious minorities in their respective countries.