Inaugural Lecture of the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (EISCA), by Jim Murphy MP (Minister for Europe)
I am delighted to be here this evening and give the inaugural lecture at the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti Semitism. The Institute has been borne out of a sense of frustration at the lack of academic input into the debate on how best to combat anti-Semitism.
What we do know is that Europe is today possibly the most tolerant of all continents. But Europe has experienced historic struggles between tolerance and faith and race based hatreds.
We all know that European anti-Semitism is not a new phenomenon.
The Jew of the anti-Semites
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
An Email Received…
I wanted to congratulate you on a very successful launch. I hope you were pleased with the event.
I though the Minister’s lecture was interesting, thoughtful and balanced. I thought the post lecture questions were of a high standard and demonstrated the attention given to the content of his lecture. I appreciated the direct way in which the Minister answered the questions.
I would make comment one for your consideration:
The Minister’s reply to the questions regarding how to respond to prominent politicians who continually voice anti-Israeli comments was direct and his condemnation of such behaviour unequivocal. Whilst currently missing in the UK, his response is the type of public Government response required to prevent the growth and begin the elimination of what can best be described as “the current environment of acceptability” (in terms of anti-Semitic comments and behaviour).
Congratulations again and I wish the Institute every success for the future.
Regards
Michael Hilsenrath
Anglo Jewish Association