AntiSemitism as a challenge for modern societies
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Anti-Semitism as a challenge for modern societies

  • 4/13/2022
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    ​The distinguished historian and researcher Dr Leon Saltiel gave a very interesting lecture on Monday, 11 April 2022, at the University of Cyprus, on the topic

    "Anti-Semitism as a challenge for modern societies."

    The event was organized by the Embassy of Israel in Cyprus and the University of Cyprus, with the support of the Embassy of Greece in Cyprus, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports & Youth and the Ministry of Justice & Public Order.
     
    The lecture was held in Greek with simultaneous translation into English.





    Welcoming speeches were delivered by the Ambassador of Isael Mr Anolik, the Rector of the University of Cyprus Mr Christofides, and the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Mr Papameletiou.



    The welcome speech of Ambassador Anolik: 
     
    "I am honoured that the Embassy of Israel is co-organizing tonight’s event. Together with the University of Cyprus, and in collaboration with the Embassy of Greece, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Justice & Public Order, we are about to listen to a stimulating lecture on Antisemitism as a challenge for modern societies. It will be delivered by the distinguished historian and scholar, Dr Leon Saltiel.

    Phenomena of intolerance, such as antisemitism, xenophobia, and various other forms of discrimination pose a serious threat to our societies. They are creating the conditions of dismantling the social structure and cohesiveness. They are nurturing at the same time extremism, violence and terrorism.

    Antisemitism is a global threat that does not affect only Jewish communities, but expands to various other segments of the society as a whole.

    Raising awareness through public dialogue and education is a vital step in addressing the risks and empowering societies in withstanding such forms of prejudice.

    For a long time, the Holocaust was perceived as the “peak” of modern antisemitism or the hatred against the Jews. Nowadays, it is evident that antisemitism has not disappeared with the end of the well-orchestrated extermination of European Jewry by the Nazis.

    It is regrettable that nowadays antisemitism is not only alive and kicking, but it seems to gain strength. Unfortunately, Antisemitism rises as a global threat infiltrating society through social media, blogs, and other online sources.

    According to a report of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency, last year was marked by a sad record in the rise of anti-Semitic attacks. 2021 was the worse year in anti-Semitic incidents in a decade. Half of the recorded incidents took place in Europe.

    We are now in the era of “the new Antisemitism”, which uses traditional views and conceptions of the image of the Jew to attack also the State of the Israel, which is considered synonymous to the Jewish collective. This new antisemitism is attempting to undermine Israel’s right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people. It seeks to isolate Israel from the rest of the world and bring its demolition as a Jewish state.

    We are pleased that in Cyprus the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth have undertook initiatives to pro-actively raise awareness and address the new wave of antisemitism in a cordial cooperation with the Embassy of Israel.

    Cyprus, as an observer state in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance - IHRA, endorsed the working definition of antisemitism.

    In collaboration with the members of the Cyprus delegation, we succeeded this year in organizing for the first time a seminar on Antisemitism for the public sector at the Cyprus Police Academy.

    Today’s lecture is a step further in our joint efforts with stakeholders in Cyprus. I would like to thank the University of Cyprus for hosting the lecture by the prominent scholar, Dr Leon Saltiel, World Jewish Congress Representative in Geneva to the UN and UNESCO, and the coordinator on countering Antisemitism, and express our appreciation to the Min. of Justice, Education and the Embassy of Greece for their support.
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