Sharon accuses Europe of anti-Semitism

A perceived increase in European anti-Semitism is to be the focus of talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Italian leaders during Sharon’s three-day visit to Rome, an Israeli official said.

A recent EU poll showed that more than half the Europeans questioned believed Israel is a threat to world peace, contributing to the Israeli conclusion that anti-Semitism there is on the rise, said Sharon adviser Raanan Gissin.

The weekend bombings targeting two synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 23 people and wounding more than 300, have added to the perception.

The Israeli government has been highly critical of European policy during the three-year Middle East conflict, charging that many European governments take a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli line.