Ed Koch Editorial: “Coming for the Jews”
Ed Koch (former New York City mayor) had an interesting radio commentary in response to recent anti-Semitic statements made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and to the current state in general of anti-Semitism in the world. In a speech to the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, the prime minister said:
“The Europeans killed six million Jews out of 12 million, but today the Jews rule the world by proxy…They get others to fight and die for them.” Muslims are “up against a people who think,” he said, adding that the Jews “invented socialism, communism, human rights and democracy so that persecuting them would appear to be wrong, so that they can enjoy equal rights with others.”
Mr. Koch said an editorial in The New York Times was correct by saying, “It is hard to know what is more alarming—a toxic statement of hatred of Jews by the Malaysian Prime Minister at an Islamic summit meeting this week or the unanimous applause it engendered from the kings, presidents and emirs in the audience.”
Mr. Koch showed concern regarding the rest of the world's response as well. The EU considered a condemning statement, but in the end declined. While President Bush rebuked Mr. Mahathir, Mr. Koch felt it was far too light. He also asked where the response of outrage was from other world leaders such as Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, a leader of the Eastern Orthodox church, and someone like Billy Graham.
Mr. Koch asks, “Is it any wonder that 60 years after World War II, Jews and righteous gentiles are thinking here we go again?” He points to not only the level of Islamic anti-Semitism around the world, but also a level of general anti-Semitic feelings that have permeated even nations such as Britain and France, where similar statements from politicians are most often passed off as “anti-Israeli” or “anti-Zionist.”
He concludes, “‘Never Again' is the lesson of the Holocaust. Today, those words ring hollow. Once again they're getting ready to come for the Jews. It's time to sound the alarm.”
Source: The World Tribune
