Volume 4 No 2 - Journal for the Study of Antisemitism

2012] ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS, JULY–DECEMBER 2012 375New York, September 21: Across the Arab and Muslim world, newspapershave printed hateful antisemitic cartoons and caricatures blaming Jews forthe [Innocence of Muslims film] controversy. In Algeria, the Muslim Brotherhoodofficially blamed the “American Jewish lobby” for producing thefilm in a statement that read, “the movement strongly condemns this criminalact against the Master of Beings . . . and holds as accountable the U.S.authorities and the Jewish lobby which always tries to defame the peacefulmessage of Islam.” In France, the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo ran aseries of offensive cartoons that included a cover illustration playing on theFrench film The Intouchables, with a stereotypical Orthodox Jew pushingthe Prophet Mohammad in a wheelchair. In Lebanon, Israeli and Americanflags were burned during a demonstration against the anti-Muslim film. InYemen, protestors outside the US embassy joined together in anti-Jewishchants. In Gaza, Palestinian protestors chanted “Death to America, Death toIsrael,” and one protestor held up a sign featuring a Star of David made toappear as if it had been stained with blood. In Egypt, a high-profile bishopin the Coptic Church blamed the “Zionists” for the decision by the AmericanCopts to insult Islam through the film. He claimed, “They are trying toincite sectarian sedition in Egypt, to execute an evil Zionist plot.” For days,the official Iranian television news repeated the myth as if it was fact.Malmo synagogue firebombed September 28, 2012Malmo, Sweden, September 28: An early-morning bomb exploded at aJewish community center in Malmo, causing damage but no injuries. Thedoor leading into the community center was shattered, as were some windows.Several eyewitnesses told police officers that they saw two vehiclesspeeding away from the scene immediately after the explosion. One of thecars was located, and its two occupants taken into custody. Swedish policeare continuing to investigate the incident. The suspects, both 18 years old,have denied any wrongdoing. According to local statistics, Malmo seessome 50 to 100 antisemitic incidents a year. Many of the perpetrators are