Europe and the Jews

Ronald Lauder discusses Europe’s New Jewish Question.

In March 1936, Poland’s Sejm (the lower house of parliament) almost succeeded in outlawing shechita (slaughter according to Jewish law). Only the Polish Constitution prevented an outright ban. Had the majority of legislators gotten their way, many of Poland’s 3.2 million Jews would have gone meatless.
A few days ago, the ghosts of the past returned to the Sejm, when deputies rejected a government bill intended to keep religious slaughter legal.
...But was this decision really motivated by concern for animal welfare? ...As The Economist noted succinctly, “Poland is not a country hitherto known for championing animal rights.” Indeed, it is hypocritical that hunting for sport and unsupervised home slaughtering continue to be permitted, whereas shechita, which is carried out by experienced people according to well-established procedures, is not.
Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-threat-to-religious-freedom-in-europe-by-ronald-s--lauder#FuuyyJTS6ZBwyL8u.99

World Jewish Congress Vice-President Boris Fuchsmann, the head of the Jewish Confederation in Ukraine, has said in an interview that anti-Semitism is on the rise in his country also due to cynical political maneuvers. “World history has shown many times that the level of xenophobia and intolerance in any country rises during times of economic crisis. Ukraine is not an exception.
http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/13797/ukrainian_jewish_leader_unfair_politicians_whipping_up_public_opinion_against_jews