IS THE WAVE EVER NEW?:

World leaders fear new wave of anti-Semitism: Al-Qaeda behind synagogue bombings (Rob Roberts, 11/17/03, National Post)

The leaders of France and Italy are to hold urgent meetings with Jewish leaders today to discuss car bomb attacks on two Istanbul synagogues and what is being described as a new wave of anti-Semitism.

A French Jewish body said it was convinced a new type of anti-Semitism was trying to take hold in Europe, responding to both the Turkish bombings and a fire at a Jewish school on Saturday outside Paris that was most likely arson.

"Today, we are convinced that a new anti-Semitism is trying to take root in Europe, under the cover of anti-Zionism," the French Central Consistory said in a statement. [...]

Security yesterday was being stepped up around Jewish sites in several European nations, but Muslim Turkey -- Israel's closest regional ally -- sought to reassure the country's tiny Jewish community.

"We have Jewish citizens in Turkey; there is no division between the two communities," said Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, adding: "An attack against them is an attack against Turkey."

Standing by Mr. Gul's side on the front steps of a local government building, Mr. Shalom expressed his condolences to families of the Muslim victims.

"These attacks against prayers were cowardly attacks carried out by extremists who don't want to see countries that are sharing values of democracy, freedom and rule of law," Mr. Shalom said.

Turks, kept behind security barriers by police, tossed white carnations yesterday in a sign of condolence.

Turkey, a secular nation that is NATO's only Muslim member, enjoys warm relations with Israel. Turkey and Israel have carried out joint military exercises, and Turkey in 1948 became the first Muslim country to recognize the Jewish state.

Many Jews said the bombings would not frighten them away from Istanbul, their home for half a millennium.

About 25,000 Jews live in Istanbul and a few thousand more reside in the Aegean city of Izmir. Dwindling communities remain in the capital Ankara and in Antakya, Adana and Bursa.

"We are a 500-year-old community, we are part of this nation. People may be afraid, but we will not leave," said Sabi Baruh, 64, born in the historic Jewish quarter of Galata near the Neve Shalom synagogue, rocked by one of the bombs.

It would help if secular Europe were at least as pro-Zionist as Turkey.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 17, 2003 9:20 AM