Make no mistake, the new EU discriminatory rules are anti-Semitic in effect and intent (“EU guidelines: wake-up call or roadblock?” WJW, July 25). These rules promote a particularly insidious form of anti-Semitism, singling out Jews for boycott based on where they live, and turning one Jew against another.
This is not surprising given Europe’s sordid history of anti-Semitism, spanning centuries, and its drift toward appeasing its increasing radical Islamic minority.
The fact that European animosity toward Israel and the Jews is again on the rise is yet one more reason why all Jewish organizations and institutions must be united in defending the fundamental right of Jews to reside and flourish in Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights, and in Israel’s reunified capital of Jerusalem — especially since these areas are of critical strategic value, and are essential for maintaining a vital link to our shared Jewish heritage.
As if caught in a time warp, the 21st-century grand inquisitors of Europe would no doubt be delighted to see Israel again squeezed within its indefensible 1948 “Auschwitz borders.” The more things change, the more they remain the same. Yet, there is one real change which may prevent Europeans from again turning back the clock of civilization — that change is the re-establishment of a Jewish commonwealth, the state of Israel.
Therefore, we should all fully support Israel’s efforts to uphold the fundamental rights to life, liberty and property, which have long been denied to the Jewish people.
I am asking all members of my ZOA chapter to renew their efforts to purchase products produced in those areas singled out by the EU boycott (details about our BUYCOTT campaign can be found on our website: www.zoadc.org). I hope others will do the same.
MARC CAROFF, President, Louis D. Brandeis chapter, Zionist Organization of America
