Those who denounce Israel for its nonexistent “ethnic cleansing,” and still worse, for its so-called “genocide” in Gaza, those who harass and beat up Jews for not reciting a pledge of allegiance to a “free Palestine” “from the river to the sea” — a call to destroy Israel and to replace it with a 23rd Arab state — those who believe that the Jews, unlike every other people, have no right to a state of their own, those who diminish or distort or deny the reality of the Holocaust, according to Swedish Professor Christer Mattson, are all antisemites, who disguise their pathological hatred of Jews as a well-justified animus against a “fascist colonial-settler state,” built on stolen land, that has no right to exist. He foresees a wave — a decuman — of antisemitism this coming year, fueled by the massive misreporting on the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. “Expert warns of a ‘perfect antisemitic storm’ masked as anti-Zionism in 2024,” by Mathilda Heller, Jerusalem Post, November 19, 2024:
The current global situation for Jews is a “perfect antisemitic storm,” Prof. Christer Mattson, director of the Segerstedt Institute at the University of Gothenburg, said at the 2024 European Jewish Association (EJA) Auschwitz delegation on Monday.
An expert on radicalization and antisemitism, Mattson explained how the idea of a perfect storm – a geological term referring to a storm fueled from different sources at the same time – can be applied to antisemitism.
In his speech, he drew on the different sources of antisemitism such as the far Left, the far Right, Islamism, and traditional Christian anti-Jewishness, among others. In 2024, Mattson said, all of these are active at the same time, contributing to the rise in hate.
Now, this antisemitism has taken the form of anti-Zionism, which those who hate Jews use to mask their hatred under an acceptable facade, the professor said.
He added that this masking has been prolific in regimes that wanted to make use of traditional antisemitism but without especially mentioning Jews, providing examples such as the USSR.
“Antisemitism is easier to sell without specifically referring to Jews,” he said….
Speaking ahead of the annual EJA visit of key diplomats and political figures to Auschwitz, 80 years since its liberation, Mattson said he did not believe that Birkenau was a death factory.
“It was a Nazi dream factory,” he said. “They mass produced their vision of a Europe without Jews.”
The professor stated that to “a large extent,” the Nazis succeeded.
He referenced the drastic decrease in the Jewish populations of European cities, such as Rhodes, Greece, which used to have a thriving Jewish population – at its peak, numbering around 5,000 – and which is now believed to be fewer than 20.
“Auschwitz is more present in Rhodes, in Germany, in Sweden, than it is in Auschwitz itself,” Mattson concluded.
Auschwitz is present — the Nazis have won — wherever we see the great diminishment, or complete absence, of Jews throughout Europe. Six million of them were removed by murder; the millions more who would have been the children and grandchildren of those six million who did not live to have them also must haunt us. How many writers, painters, philosophers, actors, singers, comedians, scientists, doctors, inventors, and of course perfectly ordinary salt-of-the-earth types, too, had their lives cut short, or never were born in the first place because those who would have been their parents or grandparents were murdered in the extermination camps?
Go to towns in Europe where thousands of Jews once lived, and where — as in the Greek city of Rhodes — only ten or twenty still remain. As Professor Mattson says, in such places “Auschwitz is present” because the Jews are absent. Right now there are 20 million Muslims who have “replaced” the Jews in Europe. They carry with them the virus of Islamic antisemitism into Europe, now grafted onto the traditional Christian variety, and have spread it everywhere. Mobs of Muslims in Amsterdam conduct a “Jodenjacht” or “Jew hunt.”At an Israel-France soccer match in Paris, both the Israeli players, and the handful of their supporters who dared to appear, are subject to antisemitic booing and catcalls. Jews have been, and are being, attacked on the streets of London, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Malmo, dappertutto. On American campuses, Israel is routinely denounced; Jewish students and faculty, who may have expressed no opinion about Israel, are vilified, harassed, sometimes physically attacked. So little has been done by university administrators to crack down on this antisemitism that masquerades as anti-Zionism, that Congress has felt it needed to step in, and thus the Committee on Education and the Workforce has held extensive hearings, and produced a 122-page report, on antisemitism on college campuses and the failure of administrators to deal with this new expression of the oldest hatred.
Is Professor Christer Mattson correct? Is there really a “perfect antisemitic storm” brewing behind the façade of anti-Zionism? I hope that he is wrong. I fear that he is right.
Walter Sieruk says
With this jihad watch article , it again, needs to be reiterated, to be vert well understood and made very clear that it’s very important to rightly define the definition of words and terms.
Therefore, the definition of “Zionism” has been explained “The word refers simply to the right of the Jews to settle in their ancestral homeland, , the word ‘Zion,’ …. Is referring to God’s work through the Jewish people…” [1]
For the Bible reveals, that God had given all this land that now composes the State of Israel, including all of the West Bank, to the Jewish people. This may be found in the Bible, as seen in, for example, Genesis 28:13-15. 35:10-12. Deuteronomy 32:48,49. Psalm 105:7-11. 135:4.
In other words, the Jews have tall this land by Divine Right. Furthermore, the Jewish people should have this land by historic rights as shown in First Kings 4:20,21, 24,25. 8:55, 56.
[1] Miracle of Israel by Gary Frazier and Jim Fletcher
Walter Sieruk says
First and foremost, Bible the informs its reader that Zionism is not a terrible thing.
For it reads “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem .”Psalm 51:18 [K.J.V.]
Second, history reveals that the ancient Philistines recorded in the Bible and history reveals the people who came from the Greek Islands and some parts of the mainland Greece and the Island of Crete They have no connection, at all, the to the Arab /Muslim of modern times who called themselves the “Palestinians.”
From those ancient people, the Philistines, the word “Palestine” .came into being.
There is no genuine ethic group or race who are the “Palestinians.”
Early in the last century a anyone living in that land, Arab or Jew, who lived in that land was called a ”Palestinian.”
Only after 1964 did the Arab/Muslims start to refer to themselves , exclusively , by the word “Palestinian.”
The reason for that is that they felt that by giving themselves that title they would appear to have some kind of valid claim on that land.
The Istanbulian says
Pretty soon arab Ohioans will claim to be the original inhabitants
Mick says
Especially those who inter-marry with the Shawnee and Delaware.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
The attacks on Jews in American campuses and elsewhere this year should have put a lie to the claim that these are anti-Zionist, rather than anti-Semitic attacks. If it were the former, the attacks would have been only on Israel (unjustifiably), and that too only against Israeli officialdom, not citizens who happened to be in the US. But it was the latter: attacking American Jews, who, as the elections showed, were pretty divided on support to Israel. So one could be an American Jew opposed to Israel, but still receive all the campus hate
Buraq says
For the ignorant mobs chanting “From the river to the sea …..”, they should know that the Arabic is revealingly different. It’s actually, “من المية للمية فلسطين عربية ;from the water to the water, Palestine will be Arab.
No mention of a two-State solution there!
Walter Sieruk says
First and foremost, Bible the informs its reader that Zionism is not a terrible thing.
For it reads “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.” Psalm 51:18 [K.J.V.]
Second, history reveals that the ancient Philistines recorded in the Bible and history reveals the people who came from the Greek Islands and some parts of the mainland Greece and the Island of Crete They have no connection, at all, the to the Arab /Muslim of modern times who called themselves the “Palestinians.”
From those ancient people, the Philistines, the word “Palestine” .came into being.
There is no genuine ethic group or race who are the “Palestinians.”
Early in the last century a anyone living in that land, Arab or Jew, who lived in that land was called a ”Palestinian.”
Only after 1964 did the Arab/Muslims start to refer to themselves , exclusively , by the word “Palestinian.”
The reason for that is that they felt that by giving themselves that title they would appear to have some kind of valid claim on that land.
rick says
I have read many excellent essays by Hugh Fitzgerald and others on Jihad watch but this essay is a frightening but accurate summation of what has been going on in the world since WW II and what Israel has been and is facing.
Prior to 1948 anti-Semites of all types attacked individual Jews while the Nazis attacked cities and towns where Jews were numerous. These towns and cities full of Jews exist no more. Nazism has conquered and succeeded in almost full measure to eradicate European Jewry.
Now Israel, the primary target, is in the cross hairs of virulent anti-Semites of all backgrounds.
Palestinians with leaders such as the Mufti of Jerusalem to Arafat to Hamas have since even before 1948 carried the torch of Nazi Germany in its desire to eradicate Jews in first the Palestine Mandate and now Israel. In 1929 a house to house massacre of over 69 premeditated murders employing the Koranic “approved” method of cutting limbs off, Palestinians ended Jewish existence in the second holiest Jewish city, Hebron. The rest of Hebron’s Jews were escorted out of Hebron by British Mandate forces and from 1929 to 1948 no Jews lived in the city and only until Liberation in 1967 were Jews able to return.
What was to be the fate of European Jewry by the Nazi Holocaust came to what was to be the land of Israel in Hebron, first.
A ‘Perfect Storm” is a horrible but perfectly accurate term for the worldwide anti-Semitic war on Israel. Only the existence and capabilities of the IDF has so far denied the Muslim component of this perfect storm success. Every march by American students in support of Hamas, every attack in Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden, is a knife cut. An echo of Auschwitz as well as a Hebron and a Jerusalem without Jews. And now there are even Jews who march against Israel. It is chilling.
somehistory says
” traditional Christian anti-Jewishness’ There is no such thing. If someone claims to be Christian and hates the Jews, the first part of their claim is false.
All of the words, sermons, teachings, the life, the commands of Christ, were recorded by Jews. Without them, we could not know the God of the Hebrews or His Only Begotten Son.
Jesus was a Jew when on earth. His family, relatives, friends, disciples and Apostles were all Jews.
No where in His sermons, teaching, instruction or commands did He say Christians should hate the Jews. In fact, He preached “Love” and it’s called, “The Kingly Law.”
He gave personal instruction to Peter, one of His Apostles. regarding His “little sheep.”
And when Peter was feeling that Gentiles might not be followers of Christ, he was informed that “God is not partial.”
Christians know that God and His Son are the Judges of people, not themselves. Christians do not hate the Jews.
St Croix says
I wholeheartedly agree. Meaning, many who call themselves “Christians” are not. They don’t read the Bible, they are quite ignorant about those historical facts you quoted. Paul told the gentiles not to get puffed up because they received the Messiah and many Jews rejected him–we gentiles are grafted into the Jewish nation. And the blindness of many to the identity of the Messiah at the first coming, will be removed when he returns a second time. “They will see him who they pierced, and mourn for him as for an only son.”
One of the tragedies of “Christianity” is the replacement theology idea, which holds sway in many sects. Namely, that the church has replaced the Jews, and now they mean nothing really to God, at least no more than any other nation, in terms of particular interest, covenant, etc. I guess the devil never got the memo, as evil is certainly very focused on the Jews and that tiny strip of land.
Logically, it makes no sense–apart from a spiritual reality.
If Israel and the Jews no longer matter to God, why are they so irrationally singled out for persecution?
There is no one reason given either. And it has been happening for millennia, before “Palestine” was a thing. That is merely the latest iteration of antisemitism.
Francisco Gil White has pointed out in his essays that whenever the world starts getting whipped into antisemitism on scale–as is happening today–terrible things happen, such as WW! and WWII, Communism sweeping into power and the atrocities that always has brought–and that’s just in the last century!
Perfect storm indeed. It could not be “better planned” than this. And spiritual evil is behind it, always.
“First comes Saturday, then Sunday” as the Muslim slogan goes. Netanyahu said “if we fail, you’re next.”
Funny, Jordan Peterson said the same thing about the censoring of non-leftist, non-woke academics five years ago when he interviewed one who had been fired without a given reason. It was really for saying she had not experienced systemic racism (she is a Lebanese woman immigrant–talk about intersectionality! lol). She was SUPPOSED to say how difficult it was to be in the system. She didn’t. She wouldn’t. So her career was cut short.
Peterson’s interview with her was titled, “You’re Next.” Rather prescient. Because he has spent a lot of time studying the evil regimes of the 20th century. Patterns are clear when you can zoom out!
Not long after, Peterson was told he’d be let go if he didn’t get “re-education” on the woke views basically. He declined, so was fired. Well, I guess he was right.
And when it comes to the Jews, every sane person needs to remember: “You’re Next.”
When this gets going, real Christians may be sorted out by asking if they support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. Already, people are being bullied into not speaking up.
I believe Donald Trump being elected, and along with his cabinet members and such, will be the lever to stop a complete takeover via Islam and globalism/leftism/Marxism. I expect things to get nasty, but Trump’s presidency may hinder the movement, and lead opposition to it’s force. Certainly if Democrats had gotten in again, it would have just gained momentum like a runaway train.
somehistory says
Thank you very much St. Croix, for your full reply. It’s a lot for people to consider and ponder.
St Croix says
You’re welcome, Somehistory. I do tend to run on, these topics really are “core” and the insanity is unbelievable. I can’t help myself! I want to scream, “Can’t you see what’s going on? People wake up!” as it’s like the Nazis are taking over, and so many are in a trance. Yes, like the Third Reid, and it’s not Trump, lol. But I’d only get locked up if I did that.
I do ponder the question, consider Martin Luther. A rabid antisemite. Could he be called a Christian even? A serious question. Many other church fathers also promoted antisemitism, which enforces my non-denominational stance. I attend various churches, but commit to none in particular. And avoid at all costs the political antisemitic woke ones, they are not doing the Lord’s work. Quite the opposite.
My conclusion at this point, I must leave it to God to judge the person. But I do judge the actions and words as lining up with the scriptures or not. How could intelligent (and in many ways wise and brilliant even) historical figures like these be so wrong? Duped? Evil? I can’t say how they could hold such evil and such good in one being. I know I’ve sinned since my conversion, and I see every one of us could be very wicked, given the circumstances and the “frog in the boiling water” scenario. Bit by bit.
Still, when we are believers and in sin, we tend to know it.
At any rate, I see the same phenomenon unfolding before my eyes in real time. People who have a lot going for them, wise in many ways, yet…they can’t see the evil in their support for Hamas et al, nor in their animus towards the Jews, and Israel.
It terrifying. Only my faith in Jesus keeps me on an even keel these days. Knowing, in the end, how it turns out. Believing I will have the strength supplied through the Lord to go through whatever I must face personally. Am praying for Robert Spencer, David Wood, AP, etc. because they are on the front lines–one of the many fronts, I should say. And for all those who take a stand–may we not waver!
somehistory says
St. Croix
As for the question of luther and others….Jesus warned about “false Christs, wolves in sheep’s clothing” (which means pretenders to the faith), and Paul warned about “sly men who work their way” into the homes and gatherings of Christians.
Jesus said, “By their fruits you will recognize them.” I was not there to see their fruits, and because they are not here to influence my thinking, I do not worry.
A person can only hide what they are for a little while. We can see the fruit and know what kind of persons they are, while we wait for God and Jesus to Judge whether those people are genuinely trying or if they are “false.”
I have often wondered about Judas….he spent so much time with Jesus and the other Apostles, and then was found to be a thief who betrayed Jesus for money. But, then, he killed himself after realizing what he had done.
And then, Peter, Paul and the others showed some weaknesses, but were honestly trying to follow Christ.
We do the best we can under whatever circumstance we find ourselves, and when we can’t carry our load, Jesus invites us under His yoke to help us continue.
As for the inability for people to *see*….I think of what Jesus said about Noah’s day and what He said would also be true now….”They took no note until the flood came and swept them all away. So the Presence of the Son of Man will be.”
And yet, it seems impossible that so many do not “take note.”
I’m thankful that there are you guys out there who are paying attention and keeping “awake” for Jesus’s Return. We all need encouragement to “keep fighting the fine fight of the faith.” “Keeping our eyes on the prize.”
James Lincoln says
somehistory says,
“I have often wondered about Judas….he spent so much time with Jesus and the other Apostles, and then was found to be a thief who betrayed Jesus for money. But, then, he killed himself after realizing what he had done.”
I would conclude that Judas had a conscience – unlike a psychopath.
James Lincoln says
Excellent posts somehistory and St. Croix.
somehistory says
Thank you, James.
St Croix says
Thank you James. Keep up the good fight.
I’m glad to see some of the “old hands” still active in the comments, such as somehistory, infidel and Wellington, along with a few others. They were here when I started trying to find out what Islam was really all about, as the Comparative Religion class I did in college didn’t tell me a lot about jihad, and at that time, we had the “new” phenomenon of ISIS.
I believe ISIS, and the crISIS they inflicted, were among the main reasons many of us woke up to what is really going on in the “religion of peace”. 911 caused a stir, but it still seemed like a few weirdo Muslims in a plot hatched up by a disenfranchised Saudi with a small following.
ISIS though was something else. Thank God for JW, and some of the others who reported on Jihad events and Islamic history, along with so many excellent well-researched books. And the internet, which helps the terrorists, but also helps those who want to educate, and those who wish to find out “What the bleep is going on here!?”
Thankful I found answers through Jihadwatch.org articles, as well as comments, which were very informative!
OLD GUY says
Just remember if you live in a non muslim ruled country, Islam is the tool muslims are using to attack and conquer YOU.
Islam is a religion of political power and suppressive rule coming from its leaders NOT God or Allah.