Natan Sharansky Exclusive: ‘European idea will die here and survive in Israel’

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE ONLINE ^ | July 24, 2014 | Natan Sharansky

[Nachum]

I believe we are seeing the beginning of the end of Jewish history in Europe. What makes the situation in Europe unique in history is the fact that Europe has become very intolerant of identities in a multicultural and post-nationalist environment.

This new antisemitism is very connected to Israel — demonisation, delegitimisation and double-standards — and is now so deep in the core of European political and intellectual leaders that practically every Jew is being asked to choose between being loyal to Israel and loyal to Europe.

That insecurity is due to Muslim immigration and the rise of the classical right, which sees the Jews as the “other”.

The liberal, intellectual Europe where Jews historically felt so comfortable is now asking them to choose between Israel and “us”.

These three factors are bringing us to the situation where unprecedented numbers of Jews in the free world are moving to Israel. This year, one per cent of the French Jewish community will make aliyah.

I see this as a historical moment — as the beginning of the process of distancing Jews from Europe.

Europe is abandoning its identities, with the multicultural idea that there will be no such things as nation-states or religion. In post-identity Europe, there is less and less space for Jews for whom it is important to have both identity and freedom. In Europe, it is becoming more difficult to have both.

[Biggirl]

Keep a close eye on 2016 and a conservative resurgence.

[redleghunter]

Thanks for the ping. Good article and spot on.

[logos]

It is quite sad that even Sharansky equates antisemitism to the “right wing”. I guess we are still living under the lie that the Nazis were “right wing”.

[444Flyer]

1/10/15

“Netanyahu Calls on French Jews: Come Home to Israel

Prime Minister Netanyahu says the world needs to ‘come to its senses; MKs call for emergency aliyah of French Jews.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3245555/posts