Most extreme acts of anti-Semitism go beyond the acts of anti-Semitism by native Europeans.
Manfred GerstenfeldMedia turned against Israel was a gradual process. And it has gotten worse over the years. I think the main development was the 1982 Lebanon War.
Manfred GerstenfeldThere are a variety of reasons. Not all Western leaders are equal. We have to make a certain separation from naïve Americans and Europeans. These are two different categories. For the Europeans, it affects the image of the "New Europe." The false image of Europe is that it is peaceful, separate from the past. Now the image of the New Europe is a radically false image.
Manfred GerstenfeldWe have to separate here the church in its broad sense. We have Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox churches. The Catholic church is a corporation like a chief executive. A fairly homogenous operation. Today its attitude toward anti-Semitism is much more severe than it's ever been. The Catholic Church today is much less the problem than the other groups.
Manfred GerstenfeldIt hinges on oil. Europeans feel they handled the boycott after the Yom Kippur War [1973] very badly. The Arabs need to sell oil; otherwise they cannot live.
Manfred GerstenfeldEmergence of Muslim communities in their own lands. They let in millions of people from a radically different culture and background. The Europeans have to ask themselves if all these people can be integrated. This has led to major problems. And...I do not stereotype all Muslims.
Manfred Gerstenfeld