DUSAN VRANIC/AP Equating Israeli policies toward the Palestinians with those of the Nazis has prompted charges of anti-Semitism

Posted Monday, June 10, 2002; 11:45 a.m. BST
Despite the storm around Möllemann's remarks, experts do not believe that anti-Semitism as such is on the rise. "That anti-Semitism is growing is a complaint I've been hearing for the past 15 years," says Wolfgang Benz, director of the Center of Anti-Semitic Research at Berlin's Technical University. Though he recognizes the seriousness of these incidents, and agrees that a taboo against criticizing Israel has been breached, Benz doesn't see a trend of growing anti-Semitism in Germany: "Comparisons with Kristallnacht are stupid and disgusting."

Germany has long been one of Israel's staunchest allies, but other European governments have been more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Jews in these countries are especially concerned by the perceived rise in anti-Semitism. To demonstrate her support for Palestinians, Gretta Duisenberg hung a Palestinian flag from the balcony of her home in Amsterdam's upscale Rivierenbuurt area. After the flag had been up for several weeks, Duisenberg received at least one death threat. Then the Dutch Jewish Federation charged her with "inciting hatred and anti-Semitism."

A neighbor, Ron van der Wieken, who is Jewish and has children who live in Israel, wrote a letter asking the Duisenbergs to remove the flag. "We didn't really mind at first," he says, "but when it became a long-term project we objected. Our response was the 'rich Jews' comment." The flag was taken down two weeks ago, before Gretta Duisenberg left for the family's holiday home in France.

The flap has caused huge controversy in the Netherlands, still reeling from the shocking success of Pim Fortuyn's anti-immigration message and his subsequent murder. Herman Loonstein, head of the Dutch Jewish Federation, demanded that as "one of the most powerful men in Europe" Wim Duisenberg "should distance himself from the comments of his wife." He also said that, "It's even worse that the Palestinian flag should be displayed in a neighborhood from which so many Jews disappeared into the camps." Others express qualified support for Duisenberg. "She has the right to her opinions," concedes David Serphos, director of Amsterdam's Jewish Community. "But what is tactless and unfair is the implication that her husband supports her views."

These controversies show how difficult it still is for Europeans to separate legitimate political debate from perceived racist comment when it comes to anti-Semitism. The attacks and the electoral success of the likes of Le Pen are alarming and should be condemned. But Europe's effort to openly confront and discuss anti-Semitism is a healthy sign that the Continent is not headed for a repeat of 1938.

— Reported by BRUCE CRUMLEY and NICHOLAS LE QUESNE/Paris, AISHA LABI/London, ANDREW ROSENBAUM/Amsterdam, REGINE WOSNITZA/Berlin and YURI ZARAKHOVICH/Moscow

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