A newly published study titled “White Papers of Hate” reveals the concerning rise of racism, xenophobia, and radical nationalist movements in 19 European countries, including in France, where four Jews were killed recently in the terror attack at a kosher supermarket in Paris.
The 1,000-page study documents incidents of anti-Semitism and hate-crimes against other religious minorities, as well as immigrants. It focuses on incidents that took place between 2012 and 2013. The data shows that compared to 2012, the level of radical nationalism in France has increased significantly. France is currently ranked ninth in Europe for its level of xenophobia, according to the study.
“The Charlie Hebdo tragedy reminds the world that we cannot wait to acknowledge radicalism and xenophobia, wherever it rears its head,” said Dr. Valery Engel, first vice president of the World Without Nazism organization. “The White Papers of Hate was created to track manifestations of hate so leaders can understand and properly respond to this escalating problem. We cannot wait for the next Charlie Hebdo, the next synagogue bombing or the next hate-fueled attack.”
The study also shows that in Russia, 18 percent of violent crimes result in homicide. Russia places 10th in the study’s rankings on levels of radical nationalism. As of 2013, about half of the Russian population in major cities acknowledged support for slogans such as “Russia for Russians.”
“Ultra-nationalism is growing, especially among youth who are drawn to ‘country first’ slogans, and yet, the international community tends to ignore the problem,” said Richard Brodsky, a former state assemblyman in New York.
“European countries need to take a unified approach to ensuring the rights of ethnic minorities and protecting all their citizens from harassment and racial discrimination,” Brodsky said. “White Papers of Hate reminds us we cannot make the mistake of assuming ultra-nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism have been eradicated from Europe. By tracking and calling attention to these movements and stop thinking of them as isolated incidents, we are warning leaders-from the Putin in Moscow to Cameron in London that the world is watching; we will not allow Europe’s troubled past to reappear in the 21st century.”
JNS.ORG
{Matzav.com}
