'An End To Jewish Domination'

by Justin Cohen - Thursday 13th November 2008


A mainstream Greek newspaper's front page headline proclaiming that the election of Barack Obama signalled the "end of Jewish domination" this week drew revulsion from Jewish leaders around the globe.

Instead of simply celebrating the triumph of the first African- American
president, Avriani stood accused of drawing "on classic anti-semitic
canards" with a headline that announced: "The anticipated victory of Obama
in the US elections signals the end of Jewish domination. Everything changes
in the USA and we hope that it will be more democratic and humane."

Top stories

email this page to a friend print this page email the editor buy this content
The CST's Mark Gardner said: "This is probably the worst case of
anti-semitism in a mainstream European newspaper for many years. It is truly
shocking that this kind of thing can happen in a Western democratic country
today."

While stressing that this was the only Greek paper that expressed such
views, Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece President Moses
Konstantinis told the Jewish News: "The Jewish people of Greece felt
disappointed in the newspaper, that they would write these lies," he said.
"The reaction in the Jewish community is very strong when these kinds of
things happen. We have a mutual understanding with the Greek government that
these things cannot happen."

Dr Winston Pickett, Director of the European Institute for the Study of
Contemporary Antisemitism, expressed hope that Greek officials and members
of the public "will voice their repudiation of this kind of extremist
discourse in the most forceful way possible".

He said: "The newspaper's characterisation of Jews as conspirators bent on
world-domination is both staggering in its recrudescence and a disturbing
reminder of how embedded such classic anti-semitic stereotypes are within
certain circles, particularly the media."

And in the US, American Jewish Committee Executive Director David A. Harris
released a statement saying: "This vile and scurrilous headline draws on
classic anti-semitic canards of Jewish conspiracy and domination. How could
any responsible media outlet peddle such outright nonsense?"

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.