Democrats have a moral duty to fight anti-semitism

Your editorial (‘Attack will not change our beliefs - the right to free speech’, February 16) about recent gun attacks in Copenhagen perceptively refers to the rise in anti-semitism.

Both the recent Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris and the Copenhagen cafe murder were followed by gun attacks on Jewish civilians. The Jews shot dead in the Paris Kosher shop and at the Danish synagogue were murdered not because of any cartoons they drew but because of their religion. Islamists, whether Salafists, Wahabis or members of the Muslim Brotherhood, hate not just free speech but equality for women, gays, democracy and Jews. They see Jews as promotors of modernity and ‘corrupting’ western values.

In a very real sense Jews are ‘the canary in the mineshaft’ when it comes to our freedom. Democrats have a moral duty to fight antisemitism. It is also in our pragmatic interest to do so. We could start by ending the demonisation of Israel, the only country from Algeria to Iran where Jews, Christians and Muslims can freely practise their beliefs.

Karl Martin

Bayside Walk

Bayside

Dublin 13