Anti-Semitism rising in the US; said to be high among Hispanics

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 20, 2003 By: W. E. Gutman

International commentarist W. E. Gutman writes: A nationwide survey released at year's end by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows an increase in the number of Americans manifesting anti-Semitic attitudes, reversing a 10-year decline and raising concerns that "an undercurrent of Jewish hatred persists in America."

Conducted by an independent polling organization, the nationwide survey reveals that 17% of Americans -- or about 35 million adults -- hold views about Jews that are "unquestionably anti-Semitic." Previous surveys commissioned by the ADL over the last decade had indicated that anti-Semitism was in decline.

"We are greatly concerned that many of the gains we had seen in building a more tolerant America have not taken hold as firmly as we had hoped, and have to some degree been reversed," says Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "While there are many factors at play, all of the evidence suggests that a strong undercurrent of hared toward Jews persists in America."

One of the most unsettling findings of the ADL poll concerns Hispanic Americans, the fastest growing minority in America. The poll reveals an extraordinary gap between those born in the US and those born abroad. The survey reports that while 20% of Hispanics born in the US express vague feelings of antipathy against the Jews, 44% of foreign-born Hispanics harbor hard-core, fossilized anti-Semitic convictions. This suggests that anti-Semitic views pre-exist entry into the US and that these views continue to flourish in the insular, clannish and xenophobic atmosphere pervasive in Hispanic society in the US.

The anti-Semitic propensities of foreign-born Hispanics are not surprising. Religious background and indoctrination have always played a role in determining one's attitude toward Jews. There is no doubt that this is a reflection of what is being learned about Jews in the schools, churches and communities of Latin American nations, where Jews are, for the most part, a microscopic minority.

According to human rights monitors, anti-Semitism in Latin America appears to be highest in nations that the smallest number of Jews. The larger the Jewish communities, such as in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela, the less palpable and more diffuse are anti-Jewish sentiments. These sentiments appear to be at a peak in Mexico and Central America, as well as in Ecuador and Bolivia where where Jewish families number barely in the dozens.

Survey results conclude that:

-- Anti-Semitic attitudes are up; the most widely held stereotype is that "Jews have too much power in the US."

-- Anti-Semitism is a function of education. Less educated people are more likely to hold anti-Semitic views.

-- Anti-Israel feelings trigger anti-Semitism. For the first time, negative attitudes toward Israel and concern that American Jews wield influence over U.S. Middle East policy are helping to foster anti-Semitic beliefs.

-- Anti-Israel sentiments are used to fuel, legitimize and rationalize anti-Semitism."

-- Anti-Semitism among foreign-born Hispanics is high. Perceptions of "Jewish control," influence and power as well as more traditional canards about Jews, religion and ethical practices appear to be driving anti-Semitism among foreign-born Hispanics.

For example, more than half of foreign-born Hispanics agree with the assertion that "Jews don't care what happens to anyone but their own kind," whereas nearly half were raised to believe that "Jews are responsible for the death of Christ."

Apt to fall into the most anti-Semitic category are:

-- Those who believe that Jews have too much influence over US foreign policy in the Middle East.

-- Those who view US policy tilting too much toward Israel.

-- Those who predict that the US is more likely to be targeted for terrorist attacks because of America's support of Israel.

The tragic events of September 11 and the crisis in the Middle East have clearly had an impact on the growth of anti-Semitism in America. As these life-altering events have transformed us as a nation, they have also resurrected the anti-Semitism that lay dormant beneath the surface.

The explosive spread of Islam, which runs a formidable worldwide proselytizing machine, the spate of conversions to Islam taking place in Latin America and the unusually high rate of anti-Semitism among Hispanics in the U.S. are part of a trend issued from separate but converging dynamic processes. This alarming phenomenon, at a time of unease in a world ever closer to the brink of war, adds yet another dimension to the evil that spawned yesteryear's nightmares.

• W. E. Gutman is a veteran journalist. He lives and works in southern California.