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Anti-Semitism is endemic across the world

May I suggest that anti-Semitism appears to have been endemic in much of the world

Not to belabour the point, but in support of Andy Mulcahy’s claim (Letters Jan. 20) that Christianity is mainly to blame for the desecration of the Jewish cemetery a few weeks ago, may I suggest that anti-Semitism appears to have been endemic in much of the world and especially in Europe for centuries?

It may have been encouraged by Martin Luther but was certainly evident in France when, for example, Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French artillery officer, was falsely accused of treason and defended by novelist Emile Zola. Luther was abetted by Huldrich Zwingli, also a reformation leader in Switzerland. A more recent example of anti-Jewish sentiment was the reluctance of some Western countries to accept fleeing refugees from Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.

Nevertheless, the subsequent service at the cemetery proved a resounding success of humanity over religious bigotry.

Max Halber

Victoria