Anti-Semitism is widespread throughout the Arab and Muslim world

Anti-Semitism is widespread throughout the Arab and Muslim world, manifested in many segments of society. The following report is a compilation of selected anti-Semitic expressions in the Arab and Muslim world in January-March 2006.

Al-Watan, January 6, 2006

During this period, the Arab and Muslim media was rife with conspiracy theories of Jews and Israelis being responsible for international crises and events, including the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper, Iran's nuclear weapons program, and Muslim civil strife, in particular with regard to the destruction of mosques.

The publication of the Muhammad cartoons and the trial of Holocaust denier David Irving were used by many newspapers to run cartoons and columns that denied or downplayed the horrors of the Holocaust. Additionally, many newspaper articles accused Jews of using the Holocaust to justify the persecution of others.
As in recent months, newspapers continued to feature anti-Semitic caricatures and themes that include conspiracy theories of Jews plotting to control U.S. foreign policy and dominate the world, demonic images of Jews and Israelis, and depictions of the stereotypical Jew (big nose, black coat and hat, skull cap, etc.) along with Jewish symbols such as the Star of David.
Material in this compilation was translated by ADL from the original Arabic or taken from English language sources in the Middle East.