Lithuanian Visit Highlights Resurgence of Old Antisemitism, Author Argues
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
An author's visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, revealed a disturbing resurgence of classic antisemitism, exemplified by a media investigation into the medieval blood libel. This, the author argues, is linked to the current widespread anti-Israel sentiment in the West, which fuels both the delegitimization of Israel and a renewed, primitive form of antisemitism. The author believes this resurfacing antisemitism, even within liberal circles, poses a significant threat that requires a response from the Jewish community, especially in Israel.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A visit to Lithuania revealed that classic antisemitism, including the blood libel, is resurfacing alongside anti-Israel sentiment.
- The author argues that the current pro-Palestinian movement in the West is fueling both the delegitimization of Israel and a renewed antisemitism.
- A major Lithuanian media outlet investigated the medieval blood libel, confirming its baseless nature but highlighting the persistence of such tropes.
- The author connects the resurgence of antisemitism to factors like the conflict in Gaza and alleged "ethnic cleansing" in the West Bank.
- This resurgence of old antisemitism, even in liberal circles, is considered a significant threat requiring a response.
- The author contrasts the current situation with Vilnius's historical Jewish significance and past antisemitism.
A recent visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, served as a stark reminder to the author that classic antisemitism remains a potent force, intertwined with the current wave of anti-Israel sentiment. The author, who was in Lithuania to share Israeli experiences on preparing for surprise attacks, observed that while many in the Baltics and Scandinavia expressed understanding for Israel's security concerns, the discourse often included accusations of "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing" regarding Gaza.
More disturbingly, the author learned that a major Lithuanian media network had tasked fact-checkers with investigating the medieval blood libel claim that Jews use Christian children's blood in Passover matzah. Although the investigation confirmed the claim as baseless "fake news," the fact that such an inquiry was deemed necessary by a mainstream European media outlet deeply unsettled the author. This incident, occurring in a country with a historical Jewish center known as the "Jerusalem of Lithuania," underscored the author's concern that old, primitive antisemitism is resurfacing.
The author links this resurgence to the current pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel sentiment, which has become a widespread trend in Western public opinion. This trend, fueled by well-funded campaigns, Islamist electoral influence, and left-wing organizations, is seen as leading to the delegitimization of Israel's existence and its right to self-defense. The author notes that while the destruction in Gaza can be explained by Hamas's tactics, the actions of some Israeli government ministers and documented vandalism by uniformed Israelis in the West Bank have fueled hostile propaganda.
Furthermore, the author points to the daily violence by "Jewish terrorists" in the West Bank, aimed at displacing Palestinians, which is being labeled "ethnic cleansing" by Western media and politicians. This, combined with the devastation in Gaza, is seen as feeding the anti-Israel narrative. The author believes that the resurgence of old antisemitism, even within liberal-democratic circles, poses a significant threat that requires recognition and a response from Jews, particularly in Israel.
The author concludes that this phenomenon is not merely a passing trend or a fashionable "spirit of the times" in the liberal West, but a genuine threat that demands attention. The author contrasts the current situation with the historical context of Vilnius, once a major Jewish spiritual center, which also experienced severe antisemitism culminating in the Holocaust, and notes that the current Jewish community there is very small.
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