January 2016 - MEDIA MONITORING HIGHLIGHTS
From several antisemitic headlines in Greece to a banned student in France due to antisemitic Facebook comments: these January highlights are an overview of the most significant results of our monitoring of traditional and new media in Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
GREECE – ELEFTHERI ORA’S ANTISEMITIC HEADLINES
Date of publication: 3 January 2016
Media Outlet: Eleftheri Ora
Headline: ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΓΝΩΡΙΖΟΥΝ ΟΙ ΝΕΟΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΕΣ ΤΟΝ ΥΠΟΨΗΦΙΟ ΑΡΧΗΓΟ ΤΟΥΣ
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΣ ΜΗΤΣΟΤΑΚΗΣ: Ο ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΒΡΑΙΩΝ ΜΕ ΤΑ “ΔΩΡΑ” ΤΗΣ SIEMENS
Τα “απομνημονεύματα” του μπατζανάκη του Σαμαρά λένε πολλά!!!
Translation: LET NEW-DEMOCRACY'S VOTERS KNOW THEIR CANDIDATE LEADER
KYRIAKOS MITSOTAKIS: THE MAN OF THE JEWS WITH THE “GIFTS” FROM SIEMENS. Samaras' brother in law's “memoirs” say a lot!!!
Description of the antisemitic content:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is now the leader of Greece’s main opposition party (New Democracy), is accused to be “the man of the Jews”, thus implying that Mitsotakis is a puppet being controlled by the Jewish people.
Myth debunked:
This is a classic example of stereotypes accusing the Jewish people of being the perpetrators behind world conspiracies. It draws on the antisemitic stereotype of influential and powerful Jews “manipulating” politicians. This example of stereotypes has already been highlighted in our November Monthly Highlights, specifically the Hungarian “Conspiracy theories on the power behind power”.
Date of publication: 12 January 2016
Media Outlet: Eleftheri Ora
Headline:
ΚΑΡΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΗ MADE IN... ISRAEL
ΤΟΝ ΣΑΤΑΝΑ ΘΑ ΑΠΕΙΚΟΝΙΖΕΙ Η ΝΕΑ ΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΤΑ
Διαβάστε Έλληνες πώς θα σας “χαράξει” η Ισραηλινή εταιρεία “SuperCom”
Translation:
CITIZEN CARD MADE IN… ISRAEL
THE NEW IDENTITY CARD WILL BE DEPICTING SATAN
Greeks, read here how the Israeli company “SuperCom” is going to “give you the mark” [of the number of the Beast]
Description of the antisemitic content:
This headline refers to the new electronic ID card that Greece is supposed to provide its citizens in 2016. According to the newspaper’s claims, the card will be made by an Israeli company who plans to imprint a depiction of Satan onto the card and “to give you the mark”. This quote from the headline refers to St. John's Revelation and the Number of the Beast (Antichrist).
Myth debunked:
In this article, the Israeli company is being labeled as Satan's instrument. By accusing the Israel company to print a depiction of Satan on the card, the article draws on the old myth, dating back to the Middle Ages, of the Jews representing the evil.
Date of publication: 20 January 2016
Media Outlet: Eleftheri Ora
Headline:
ΔΕΝ ΘΕΛΟΥΝ ΜΕ ΤΙΠΟΤΑ ΝΑ ΜΑΘΕΙΣ ΑΥΤΗ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ
ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΣΦΑΓΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΑΠΟ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ
Η Γενοκτονία 1.000.000 συμπατριωτών μας μέσα από συγκλονιστικές μαρτυρίες
Translation:
THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY
GREAT MASSACRE OF GREEKS BY JEWS
The Genocide of 1,000,000 compatriots [presented] via shocking testimonies
Description of the antisemitic content:
The headline refers to the historical event of the Kitos War, a rebellion of diaspora's Jews in the Roman Empire (115-117 AD). According to historians of the time, Jews committed various atrocities against Romans and Greeks during this war, though the numbers are highly exaggerated and genocide had never occurred. These events have been circulating in Greek ultra-nationalist, ultra-right wing websites (including Golden Dawn's site) for the past few years.
Myth debunked:
This headline in particular makes an outrageous claim that the Jewish people have massacred 1,000,000 Greeks in recent times. By keeping the headline ambiguous, it gives the impression that Jews have recently perpetrated a massacre against Greeks. As usual in antisemitic language, Jews are accused of being murderers and responsible for the evil of the world.
Date of publication: 21 January 2016
Media Outlet: Eleftheri Ora
Headline:
ΠΡΟΦΗΤΕΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΠΑΪΣΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ “ΠΡΟΦΗΤΕΙΑ” ΣΙΩΝΙΣΤΩΝ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΛΑΟ!
Πρωτόκολλα των Σοφών της Σιών: “Ένας ευρωπαϊκός λαός θα καταβληθεί και θα υποδουλωθεί”!
Translation:
SAINT PAISIOS' PROPHECY AND ZIONISTS' “PROPHECY” ABOUT THE GREEK PEOPLE!
Protocols of the Elders of Zion: “European people will be subjugated and enslaved”!
Description of the antisemitic content:
This headline is referring to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, an antisemitic literature that has been forged as if it were written by Zionists. The protocols claim that there is a prophecy foreshadowing the enslavement and subjugation of “European people” –including the Greeks– by the Jewish people. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion are still sold and read in Greece as a genuine book, thus emphasizing a bigger issue regarding antisemitism in public discourse.
About the source:
Eleftheri Ora is a far-right wing newspaper that is distributed on a national level in Greece. It is known in the media for its antisemitic tendencies.
Myth Debunked:
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is the most famous and widely antisemitic publication of modern times. Its lies about Jews continue to circulate today, especially on the Internet. The Protocols claim to document a Jewish conspiracy to dominate the world, whereas the conspiracy and the “Elders of Zion” never existed. The version of the Protocols that has been translated into dozens of languages was first published in Russia in 1905. The exact origin of the Protocols is unknown, but its goal was to portray Jews as conspirators against the state. After 1917, anti-Bolshevik émigrés brought the Protocols to the West and editions were disseminated in Europe, the United States, South America, and Japan. The Protocols were translated into Arabic in the 1920s. The fraud was first exposed in 1921, when the London Times proved that the Protocols were a “clumsy plagiarism” of a French political satire that never mentioned Jews. The Protocols played an important role in the Nazi propaganda and remain the most influential antisemitic text of the past one hundred years. Today, the Protocols are among others widely sold and read in Arab countries.
For more information see:
FRANCE – NATIONALISTIC SONGS OF LES BRINGANDES
Date of publication: Since November 2014 to present day
Media Outlet: Comité de Salut Public or ‘Committee of Public Safety’
Content:
Part of this website’s contents includes video-clips by a women’s Catholic nationalist music band: Les Brigandes.
Some titles of Les Brigandes’ songs:
“Les Brigandes – Seigneur, je ne veux pas devenir Charlie”
Translation: “Lord, I don’t want to be Charlie” (in reference to the “I am Charlie” after the attacks of Charlie Hebdo).
“France, notre terre”
Translation : “France, our land”
Description of the antisemitic content:
This website, as a whole, is representative of many extreme-right and nationalist ideologies. The soundtracks by Les Brigandes portray antisemitic, racist, and homophobic contents. In addition, the soundtracks also promote conspiracy theories (such as theories against the Freemasons), as well as criticisms, for example, towards antifascist militants.
About the source:
Many articles have been published about this music group of nationalist catholic women. For example, the magazine “Néon” described them as “racist, homophobic and proud to be it”. They are popular in the extreme-rights and nationalist wing. Their videos, posted on Youtube and Rutube (the Russian Youtube) where some of them have more 100,000 views, are shared in the website of Alain Soral, but also on the English and German website.
Myth Debunked:
The video “I don’t want to become Charlie” (“Je ne veux pas devenir Charlie”) (01:04), above the subtitle « I saw France in the shadow, far from God and the Paradise », shows President Francois Hollande dressed up as a Jew with a fake prayer shawl and kippah, behind him former French politician Dominique Strauss Kahn giving him a big present. This depicts the antisemitic stereotype of Jewish power manipulating politicians. The song also contains clearly homophobic statements such as “I fled out of shame because now, in this world men are getting married to each other”, and the video depicts two pigs getting married by a black mouse (02:07).
BELGIUM – LOUIS LAURENT’S ABSURD CLAIMS ON HIS SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Date of publication: 20 December 2015
Media Outlet: Facebook page of Laurent Louis
Link: https://www.facebook.com/laurentlouisdlb/posts/1665182943763706
Facebook post:
In this Facebook post, referring to an article written by 7Sur7, Laurent Louis writes:
“Through this act, by choosing to throw bombs in Syria on the courageous Hezbollah resistant fighters, Israel shows very clearly its links with the ISIS terrorists. What else do you need to understand that DAESH is a Zionist creation destined to destabilize sovereign countries while giving Islam and Muslims a horrible message? The more ISIS cuts heads, the more that Israel enlarges its hold on the region. ISIS keeps going for Israel and its Zionist allies”.
Description of the antisemitic content:
Laurent Louis accuses Israel of being behind the Islamic State. He claims ISIS is a Zionist creation and that Israel uses ISIS to present a negative image of Islam and Muslims. As our November Monthly Highlights explain, the word “Zionist” is used without any explanation, presented as “the evil” and linked with ISIS.
Date of publication: 28 December 2015
Media Outlet: Facebook and Twitter pages of Laurent Louis
Link: https://www.facebook.com/laurent.louis.mld
Description of the antisemitic content:
Before the New Year, Laurent Louis posted onto Facebook what appears to be a slideshow or video of disturbing Holocaust images as his New Year’s “wish” to his followers.
Myths debunked:
The Facebook statements show the paradox of his Holocaust denial position: while denying the Holocaust his “wish” for 2016 “and the years to come” is symbolized by a posting of pictures of the Shoah. The Facebook post can thus be considered as a praise of the Shoah.
The tweets from his no longer existing account claim that the Nazis worked for Israel and that the Nazis and ISIS have the same direction: Zionism. Stating that Nazis and ISIS both worked for Zionism and supported Israel is a particularly absurd claim.
Date of publication: 15 December 2015
Link: Twitter Account recently deleted by Twitter (see January Ousted Troll of the Month)
Description of the antisemitic content:
On the 15th of December 2015, Louis stated on twitter how Daesh is led by Israel and how the Nazis too were led by Israel.
Myths Debunked:
The first text makes absurd claims over ISIS and its links to Israel. It is well known that ISIS has made public accusations against Israel on various occasions. Additionally, terrorists have carried out attacks in the name of ISIS against Jewish sites in the name of vengeance for the Palestinians (i.e: the attacks on the kosher supermarket in Paris, following Charlie Hebdo). Laurent Louis continues to advocate for an existing link between Israel, the “Zionist plot”, and the creation of ISIS.
About the source:
Laurent Louis is a Belgian politician as well as former member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives. He is well known, especially throughout Belgium, for his antisemitic actions and statements. In June 2015, Louis was condemned for denial of Holocaust to a 18,000 euro fine as well as a six month detainment in prison (via legal action by Le Centre Interfédéral pour l’égalité des Chances).
FRANCE – ONLINE ABUSE BY SCIENCE PO STUDENT
Date of publication: 13 January 2016
Headline: “Paris University expels Kuwaiti student for slandering Jews on Facebook”
Description of the antisemitic content:
Facebook comments were made by Amira Jumma – now ex-student of Sciences Po in Paris– in an argument with a student online. These comments included name-calling as well as inappropriate comments regarding the Holocaust.
Comments included:
“Yes you Jews deserve to learn these lessons. What did you expect, taking over people’s lands and killing them? Hugs?”
“You don’t belong anywhere in this world - that’s why you guys are scums and rats and discriminated against wherever you are. Do not blame it on the poor Palestinians."
“First of all you dispersed rat, I am not an immigrant from France. I am from Kuwait so my country can buy you and your parents and put you in ovens.”
About the source:
Amira Jumma was a student of the Institute for Political Sciences in Paris
Myth Debunked:
In her Facebook posts, Amira Jumma is accusing Jews of being murderers and is claiming they do not belong “anywhere in this world”. She is threatening Jews that her country can put Jews “in ovens”. Her hate speech is inciting hatred against Jews and is specifically supporting the Shoah (“my country can buy you and your parents and put you in ovens”).
FRANCE – CONSPIRACY THEORIES ON THE STATE OF EMERGENCY
Date of publication: 19 January 2016
Media Outlet: Reseau International (French language)
Link: http://reseauinternational.net/derapage-vers-le-sionisme-du-regime-socialiste-au-pouvoir-en-france/ republishing: http://www.french.alahednews.com.lb/essaydetails.php?eid=17302&cid=324#.VqYNalJmpgx
Headline: “Dérapage vers le sionisme du régime socialiste au pouvoir en France”
Translation: The Zionist turn of the socialist regime in France
Description of the antisemitic content:
Starting with the shooting of the young man who attacked police officers on 7 January 2016 on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack, the article explains that France is under the influence of the “Zionist entity” and is living at the “Tel Aviv hour”. The articles ends with the statement that Israelis are making these terror attacks in order to raise the Western countries against Arabs and Muslims. The article ends with a clear hint at the conspiracy theory by asking: “How come Jews were informed on the morning of the 13 November about the imminent attacks?”
About the source:
The website “Réseau international” calls itself a “site of reflection and re-information”, with the goal of providing “alternative” media in search of the “Truth” and “Justice”.
Myth Debunked:
The article is a perfect example of complete amalgamation between the Middle East conflict and the policies of the French government. The article criticizes the state of emergency in France (following the 13 November 2015 attacks) by explaining that French people are influenced by “Zionist” propaganda. It is clearly importing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Europe with the aim of strengthening hate speech against Jews. Not surprisingly, it is drawing on conspiracy theories (claiming that Jews were informed of the 13 November attacks) whereas Jews were and are key targets of the blatant antisemitic jihadist ideology.
