Anti-Semitism, which has been growing in Europe, has begun to make larger inroads in Britain as well - and Muslims seem to be playing a major role in both. Far-right groups with neo-Nazi beliefs are still prominent, but the growth of Islamic anti-Semitism is very disturbing indeed.

According to the Telegraph:

Mike Whine, the security spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said that the problem of prejudice directed towards Jews on the European mainland was spreading to Britain. "Tensions in the Middle East and the rise of far-Right activity have come together to produce a depressing increase in anti-Semitic activity," he said.

Mr Whine, who works closely with the police to monitor anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues and Jewish graves, said that extremist Islamic groups are behind many anti-Semitic incidents. "There is reliable evidence from the police to prove that an increasing number of incidents are committed by sympathisers of the Palestinians and Islamists. "The promotion of anti-Semitism by the Arab media and by Islamist organisations worldwide is having a significant effect on the attitudes of Muslim communities around the world towards the Jews."

The Muslim community may have fair and justified grievances against the state of Israel for any number of the things it has done; that, however, doesn't mean that anti-Semitic propaganda and actions are in any way even vaguely justified. Arguably, Muslim communities have at lest as much if not more reason to be upset with the repressive and undemocratic policies of the many Arab governments in the Middle East. For some reason, though, those policies haven't generated much protest or outcry among Muslims around the world.

Why do you suppose that is?

Read More:

• Antisemitism
• Recent Books on Islam
• Islam