Danish Jews are no longer safe...

The Danish newspaper, Jyllandsposten, the originator of the cartoons, today has an article with this title:

Danish Jews are met with harassment (article in Danish)

It takes time to translate, so let me just summarize:

• Danish Jews feel intimidated and are afraid to show their identity while being in the public
• Jews fear verbal and physical aggressions by Muslims
  
• At the synagogue the guards warn Jews leaving the synagogue to remove head dress and the star of David
• Jews no longer feel safe putting their children in Danish schools because of the Muslim children
  
• A Danish teacher of Jewish ancestry applying for a position was told by the headmaster of a Danish public school it would be better to change his name to something innocuous. He did not take the job

Let me tell you something about the Jews in Denmark. Their families have been in Denmark for generations. Some for hundreds of years. They are as Danish as any Dane. You can not distinguish them by sight or language. The only major distinction may actually by the many accomplishments of Danish Jews. They are a part of Danish culture and I count some as friends.

We are in December, 2006, and Danes have to hide in the streets because of a faith or just a name? Their children cannot attend school paid by the tax payers, paid by the children's parents? They need guards at their places of worship? Danes are persecuted by strangers at home?

This is insane. I have had it with Muslims. I am perfectly aware that only a minority of Muslims are behind the aggressions. But I don't care. I want all Muslims out of Denmark now. And the few Danish converts ought to go as well. Because where are the demonstrations in the street by moderate Muslims against the abominable behavior against Danish Jews? A short time ago, when a newspaper published a few rather bland cartoons, thousands and thousands of Muslims were demonstrating!

Hell, I want all Muslims to go back to their miserable countries of origin and leave the rest of us alone!

Am I getting too radical? A few years ago I would never have issued such a statement. I would have pointed out that the innocent majority of Muslims do not share the guilt of a few misfits.

But just now - I don't care. I would rather see that a large number of innocent Muslims being unfairly treated than I want to see even one Danish child having to fear going to school or walking in the street. Because these Muslims to a large degree do not share Danish culture and values, and thus are not Danes.

The society and the freedom my ancestors fought and worked for is at stake.

I am fed up. And I am not alone.

I am also sad to realize, I now find myself an extremist proposing radical solutions. It is one more thing that I can not forgive.


Peter von Schlichtningen, former humanist