New York City Hosts First International Muslim Anti-Semitism Conference

The topic of Islamic Anti-Semitism is one that has not been openly discussed in any public forum until this past weekend, October 2-3, 2010. The Journal for the Study of Anti-Semitism (JSA) held its inaugural conference on this extremely controversial and explosive subject at the Metropolitan Doubletree Hotel in NYC.  Steven K. Baum and Neal E. Rosenberg, the co-editors of JSA, organized this event to bring together people who have been devoting their time and energy to this enormously critical issue. “We hope to offer a platform to share knowledge and research unfettered by politics of the day.”

The guest speakers and attendees were scholars, writers, theologians, educators and interested individuals that came from around the world. They traveled from as far as Melbourne, Berlin, Toronto, and Sheffield, as well as CA, RI, FL AL, MS, MD, NJ, CT and NY. They represent many of the people who have spent years of their lives investigating, writing, teaching and actively speaking out about their findings on Muslim Anti-Semitism. There were about 60 people in all, which offered a rare opportunity for all participants to connect and dialogue.

Saturday evening began with a cocktail hour, followed by opening remarks from the JSA’s co-editors, Steven Baum and Neal Rosenberg.  Baum stated that “the world has not been right since 9/11 and we are here because we care… Read the published book titles about this subject and see how logic is leaving the world. Something is terribly wrong. As students, scholars and people who care, we see that much work has to be done, and we are here to see what we can do.”

Neal Rosenberg then spoke about the purpose of the JSA and this conference. “The JSA addresses the ever growing problem of Anti-Semitism… and this conference is a place where people can listen and develop ways to find solutions.” Global Anti-Semitism has become a “war of ideas and words and we are losing it because the information is not getting out. We must address these words and ideas and make people more informed.”  The highlight of the evening was Rabbi Richard L Rubenstein, who gave a riveting Keynote Speech. His latest book titled ‘Jihad and Genocide’ was the topic of his presentation.

Sunday’s program included six hours of different panel discussions with a choice of two topics each hour.  Some of the subjects offered included: Anti-Semitism vs Anti-Zionism, Mosques and North America, Theological Anti-Semitism, Understanding Islam in Islamic Anti-Semitism, Campus Jihad, International Relations, Denial of Islamists Agenda and Globalized Hate.

During these two days, the presentations began to blend together and created a complete and credible case that supports the theme ‘Muslim Anti-Semitism.’  The picture these people presented was not a pretty one. By the end of the conference, there was agreement that Islamic Anti-Semitism is deeply rooted in the Qur’an and its practice permeates the Muslim world today. It is far reaching as a destructive social and political force and it affects everyone who is not a Muslim.

The studies presented at some of the panel discussions validated that there is a rapidly growing violence against Jews around the world, many perpetrated by Muslims. The compelling evidence presented validates the importance of this conference. The general consensus was that more forums like this are needed in a continuing effort to inform and educate the public.  Barbara Rosenfeld, an independent TV producer following this issue, summed up the event: “If we had conferences like this before WWII, we might not have had the Holocaust.”

As people left the conference, similar conversations could be heard around the room: “Let’s keep in touch… See you at the next conference.” The attendees expressed their hope that “this conference would bring about a bond, one in which a united effort can develop and encourage each participant to continue in their struggle to prevent another Holocaust from happening.” This time they are all afraid it will be the Genocide of the Jewish people.

Anti-Semitism vs. Anti-Zionism Panel

Audience Discussion

Conversations@Lunch

Daniel Pipes

Discussions

Panel Discussions

Mr. Rubenstein