Similar topics
Search
Latest topics
Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
2 posters
Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — In most nations, having a billionaire financier and philanthropist would be a source of great pride, a person many elected officials would want to cozy up to. Not for George Soros.
The demonization of the American-Hungarian billionaire and Holocaust survivor has spread across Central Europe, with the 86-year-old increasingly accused by nationalists of using his money to force his liberal values, including support for refugees, on their societies.
And it's not just those on the fringes, but elected officials who are attributing all manner of sins to Soros, a political strategy that seems aimed at de-legitimizing projects that Soros has supported in Central and Eastern Europe's transition to democracy.
This groundswell began in late 2015, as large numbers of migrants and refugees were arriving in Europe. A far-right nationalist at an anti-refugee rally in Poland set fire to an effigy of an Orthodox Jew as a crowd chanted slogans against Islam and the European Union. The man said the Jewish figure represented Soros.
It wasn't always this way. In 2012, Poland's then-president, Bronislaw Komorowski, bestowed one of the country's highest orders on Soros, thanking him for his contributions to a nascent democratic civil society after communism.
Soros' donations have advanced human rights, the rule of law, public health, LGBT and Roma rights, education and even improved transportation. Many of the leaders turning against him now — including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — got scholarships from Soros in the 1990s to study in the West or received research grants.
Officials today are much more likely to accuse Soros destroying their countries. Liviu Dragnea, chairman of Romania's ruling Social Democratic Party, says Soros and his work "have fed evil in Romania."
Krystyna Pawlowicz, a lawmaker with the ruling conservatives in Poland, called him the "most dangerous man in the world" on Radio Maryja, a Catholic broadcaster. She said his foundations "finance anti-Christian and anti-national activities."
Sociologists see such rhetoric, which gives Soros almost supernatural abilities to destroy traditional societies, as a modern manifestation of old anti-Semitic conspiracies amid new populist rage against elites and the European Union.
"This narrative about Soros as an evil presence started with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and it is spreading," said Jacek Kucharczyk, a sociologist and director of the Institute of Public Affairs in Warsaw. "It is a witch hunt that is being promoted by authoritarian right-wing populists."
"And there is an undertone of anti-Semitism behind it. Because he promotes liberal values, has a Jewish background and is a billionaire, he is the perfect figure for explaining to hard-core voters why the world is the way it is," he said.
Kucharczyk, whose institute receives some Soros funding, said in places like Russia and Poland, where anti-Semitism has deep roots, Soros is "a very useful enemy to have." Soros says his fight against intolerance is rooted in his own experience of living through the Nazi occupation of Hungary — which his family survived by hiding their Jewish identities. He has given away $12 billion to date, according to his Open Society Foundations.
Of that, $400 million has gone to Hungary, where Orban, the prime minister, has taken steps that could force the closure in Budapest of the acclaimed Central European University, which Soros founded in 1991 to help support the region's emerging democracies.
Orban has described Soros as an "American financial speculator attacking Hungary" who has "destroyed the lives of millions of Europeans." Frans Timmermans, first vice president of the European Commission, said he found that language anti-Semitic — prompting an angry reaction from the Hungarian government, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto saying Budapest's disputes with Soros have "absolutely nothing to do" with his Jewish origins.
Laura Silber, a spokeswoman at Soros' Open Society Foundations, said Orban's attacks on Soros are an attempt to distract Hungarians from the country's real problems. "Orban is using George Soros as a scapegoat in an effort to deflect attention from issues of real importance to the Hungarian people, such as the country's deteriorating health care and education," Silber said.
The Associated Press requested an interview with Soros, but Silber said that he wasn't giving any interviews. Rafal Pankowski, head of Never Again, an anti-racism organization in Warsaw, says the "current tendency to see Soros as a central figure in an alleged global Jewish conspiracy" is growing along with a rise in xenophobia and hate speech.
"Soros is a convenient target for those who reject liberal values and the vision of an open, pluralist society," said Pankowski, who gets no Soros funding. "Anti-Semitism is a core element of nationalist identity across Eastern and Central Europe."
The anti-Soros mood is particularly strong in Macedonia, where many right-wingers blame him for a political crisis that has dragged on for two years over a massive illegal wiretapping operation of top leaders that has revealed wrongdoing. A group called Stop Operation Soros, or SOS, emerged in January.
Poland's ruling party leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, accuses Soros of trying to destroy traditional societies by forcing multiculturalism on them. "The ideas of Mr. Soros, ideas of societies that have no identity, are convenient ideas for those who have billions, because such a society is extremely easy to manipulate," Kaczynski said.
Mark Weitzman, director of government affairs for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group, sees the rhetoric as "reminiscent of previous anti-Semitic patterns." "This is not to say that Soros should be above criticism. But there are certainly other elements involved that go beyond legitimate and specific criticism and focus on his Jewish roots," Weitzman said. There's a need by some "to create a global manipulative Jewish monster which can be blamed for all the evils and problems."
The demonization of the American-Hungarian billionaire and Holocaust survivor has spread across Central Europe, with the 86-year-old increasingly accused by nationalists of using his money to force his liberal values, including support for refugees, on their societies.
And it's not just those on the fringes, but elected officials who are attributing all manner of sins to Soros, a political strategy that seems aimed at de-legitimizing projects that Soros has supported in Central and Eastern Europe's transition to democracy.
This groundswell began in late 2015, as large numbers of migrants and refugees were arriving in Europe. A far-right nationalist at an anti-refugee rally in Poland set fire to an effigy of an Orthodox Jew as a crowd chanted slogans against Islam and the European Union. The man said the Jewish figure represented Soros.
It wasn't always this way. In 2012, Poland's then-president, Bronislaw Komorowski, bestowed one of the country's highest orders on Soros, thanking him for his contributions to a nascent democratic civil society after communism.
Soros' donations have advanced human rights, the rule of law, public health, LGBT and Roma rights, education and even improved transportation. Many of the leaders turning against him now — including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — got scholarships from Soros in the 1990s to study in the West or received research grants.
Officials today are much more likely to accuse Soros destroying their countries. Liviu Dragnea, chairman of Romania's ruling Social Democratic Party, says Soros and his work "have fed evil in Romania."
Krystyna Pawlowicz, a lawmaker with the ruling conservatives in Poland, called him the "most dangerous man in the world" on Radio Maryja, a Catholic broadcaster. She said his foundations "finance anti-Christian and anti-national activities."
Sociologists see such rhetoric, which gives Soros almost supernatural abilities to destroy traditional societies, as a modern manifestation of old anti-Semitic conspiracies amid new populist rage against elites and the European Union.
"This narrative about Soros as an evil presence started with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and it is spreading," said Jacek Kucharczyk, a sociologist and director of the Institute of Public Affairs in Warsaw. "It is a witch hunt that is being promoted by authoritarian right-wing populists."
"And there is an undertone of anti-Semitism behind it. Because he promotes liberal values, has a Jewish background and is a billionaire, he is the perfect figure for explaining to hard-core voters why the world is the way it is," he said.
Kucharczyk, whose institute receives some Soros funding, said in places like Russia and Poland, where anti-Semitism has deep roots, Soros is "a very useful enemy to have." Soros says his fight against intolerance is rooted in his own experience of living through the Nazi occupation of Hungary — which his family survived by hiding their Jewish identities. He has given away $12 billion to date, according to his Open Society Foundations.
Of that, $400 million has gone to Hungary, where Orban, the prime minister, has taken steps that could force the closure in Budapest of the acclaimed Central European University, which Soros founded in 1991 to help support the region's emerging democracies.
Orban has described Soros as an "American financial speculator attacking Hungary" who has "destroyed the lives of millions of Europeans." Frans Timmermans, first vice president of the European Commission, said he found that language anti-Semitic — prompting an angry reaction from the Hungarian government, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto saying Budapest's disputes with Soros have "absolutely nothing to do" with his Jewish origins.
Laura Silber, a spokeswoman at Soros' Open Society Foundations, said Orban's attacks on Soros are an attempt to distract Hungarians from the country's real problems. "Orban is using George Soros as a scapegoat in an effort to deflect attention from issues of real importance to the Hungarian people, such as the country's deteriorating health care and education," Silber said.
The Associated Press requested an interview with Soros, but Silber said that he wasn't giving any interviews. Rafal Pankowski, head of Never Again, an anti-racism organization in Warsaw, says the "current tendency to see Soros as a central figure in an alleged global Jewish conspiracy" is growing along with a rise in xenophobia and hate speech.
"Soros is a convenient target for those who reject liberal values and the vision of an open, pluralist society," said Pankowski, who gets no Soros funding. "Anti-Semitism is a core element of nationalist identity across Eastern and Central Europe."
The anti-Soros mood is particularly strong in Macedonia, where many right-wingers blame him for a political crisis that has dragged on for two years over a massive illegal wiretapping operation of top leaders that has revealed wrongdoing. A group called Stop Operation Soros, or SOS, emerged in January.
Poland's ruling party leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, accuses Soros of trying to destroy traditional societies by forcing multiculturalism on them. "The ideas of Mr. Soros, ideas of societies that have no identity, are convenient ideas for those who have billions, because such a society is extremely easy to manipulate," Kaczynski said.
Mark Weitzman, director of government affairs for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group, sees the rhetoric as "reminiscent of previous anti-Semitic patterns." "This is not to say that Soros should be above criticism. But there are certainly other elements involved that go beyond legitimate and specific criticism and focus on his Jewish roots," Weitzman said. There's a need by some "to create a global manipulative Jewish monster which can be blamed for all the evils and problems."
Lamplighter- Slayer of scums
- Location : I am the Judge, Jury and Executioner
Join date : 2011-06-24
Age : 84
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
Oh, for goodness' sake, that really is scraping the barrel. So, no-one's allowed to criticise Soros because the nazi collaborator hides behind being 'jewish'? This really doesn't help their cause.....
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
Difference between a perpetrator and a rescuer. Between a collaborator and a hero.
I spent yesterday evening in the company of a man whose grandfather spent much of the Holocaust dressed in a Nazi uniform. The difference between him and George Soros, is that he used that uniform as a disguise in order to find Jewish refugees and lead them to shelter.
And that difference is a profound one. It is the difference between a perpetrator and a rescuer. Between a collaborator and a hero.
Soros did not wear a Nazi uniform, but he might as well have, because he aided in the persecution of the Jews of Europe, without compassion, without guilt and without regret.
http://canadafreepress.com/article/the-jewish-people-vs-george-soros
I spent yesterday evening in the company of a man whose grandfather spent much of the Holocaust dressed in a Nazi uniform. The difference between him and George Soros, is that he used that uniform as a disguise in order to find Jewish refugees and lead them to shelter.
And that difference is a profound one. It is the difference between a perpetrator and a rescuer. Between a collaborator and a hero.
Soros did not wear a Nazi uniform, but he might as well have, because he aided in the persecution of the Jews of Europe, without compassion, without guilt and without regret.
http://canadafreepress.com/article/the-jewish-people-vs-george-soros
Lamplighter- Slayer of scums
- Location : I am the Judge, Jury and Executioner
Join date : 2011-06-24
Age : 84
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
Well said, LL.
To play the 'anti-semitic' card to defend Soros is an insult to his Jewish victims during the War, and all the others, of every belief and none, since.
Shame on them!
To play the 'anti-semitic' card to defend Soros is an insult to his Jewish victims during the War, and all the others, of every belief and none, since.
Shame on them!
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
To call Soros a Holocaust survivor is an obscenity
The liberal media which is busy defending Soros as a victim of the Holocaust and a survivor should find the bare decency to remain silent for once. To call Soros a Holocaust survivor is an obscenity. Soros was not victimized by the Holocaust. He was never targeted by it. He was on the other side of the line. The side that was pulling the trigger, running the gas chambers and sorting the gold teeth. Soros was not a victim, he was a perpetrator. Yes, he was only a teenager, but we do jail teenagers as accomplices to crimes much milder than that of collaborating in genocide.
Exactly. The most unlikely people did what they could to help Jews - even Goering's own brother - but Soros aided and abetted the persecution.
The liberal media which is busy defending Soros as a victim of the Holocaust and a survivor should find the bare decency to remain silent for once. To call Soros a Holocaust survivor is an obscenity. Soros was not victimized by the Holocaust. He was never targeted by it. He was on the other side of the line. The side that was pulling the trigger, running the gas chambers and sorting the gold teeth. Soros was not a victim, he was a perpetrator. Yes, he was only a teenager, but we do jail teenagers as accomplices to crimes much milder than that of collaborating in genocide.
Exactly. The most unlikely people did what they could to help Jews - even Goering's own brother - but Soros aided and abetted the persecution.
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
George Soros’ Israel-Hatred Spills Out Into the Open.
Billionaire George Soros generally does not hide the fact that he uses the considerable funds at his disposal to support his extremist, leftist ideals.
So when he does hide something, it should raise some serious questions. A series of leaked documents recently revealed that Soros’ philanthropy network, the Open Society Foundations, has been giving money to a number of anti-Israel organizations with the goal of smearing the Israeli government and undercutting its relationship with the United States.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/09/28/george-soros-israel-hatred-spills-out-into-the-open/
Billionaire George Soros generally does not hide the fact that he uses the considerable funds at his disposal to support his extremist, leftist ideals.
So when he does hide something, it should raise some serious questions. A series of leaked documents recently revealed that Soros’ philanthropy network, the Open Society Foundations, has been giving money to a number of anti-Israel organizations with the goal of smearing the Israeli government and undercutting its relationship with the United States.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/09/28/george-soros-israel-hatred-spills-out-into-the-open/
Lamplighter- Slayer of scums
- Location : I am the Judge, Jury and Executioner
Join date : 2011-06-24
Age : 84
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
His so-called 'Open Society' is anything but open, and never done trying to undermine governments he decides to target.
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
giving money to a number of anti-Israel organizations with the goal of smearing the Israeli government and undercutting its relationship with the United States.
I can guess why.
1. Israel will have extensive records concerning his activities.
2. It's the one place on earth where the 'anti-semitic' card just won't work.
I can guess why.
1. Israel will have extensive records concerning his activities.
2. It's the one place on earth where the 'anti-semitic' card just won't work.
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
George Soros confident he'll 'prevail' against detractors
BERLIN (AP) June 08, 2017 — Investor George Soros says he is confident that he will "prevail" against attacks by politicians in central and eastern Europe. The Hungarian-American billionaire, an 86-year-old Holocaust survivor, has emerged as one of the global figures hated by populists and nationalists who denounce his support for liberal causes. His detractors include the Hungarian government and governing party politicians in other countries in the region.
Soros' admirers praise him for the many good causes he has supported and feel he is being made a scapegoat by authoritarian politicians. Soros said Wednesday at the launch of an institute for Roma culture in Berlin: "I am ideologically opposed to the people who are waging that war and I stick to my principles, stand up for it, and I think we shall prevail."
http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2010/09/173076-173076.html
BERLIN (AP) June 08, 2017 — Investor George Soros says he is confident that he will "prevail" against attacks by politicians in central and eastern Europe. The Hungarian-American billionaire, an 86-year-old Holocaust survivor, has emerged as one of the global figures hated by populists and nationalists who denounce his support for liberal causes. His detractors include the Hungarian government and governing party politicians in other countries in the region.
Soros' admirers praise him for the many good causes he has supported and feel he is being made a scapegoat by authoritarian politicians. Soros said Wednesday at the launch of an institute for Roma culture in Berlin: "I am ideologically opposed to the people who are waging that war and I stick to my principles, stand up for it, and I think we shall prevail."
He 'survived' by betraying and selling other Jews to the Nazis and says he feels no remorse for collaborating with the Nazis during WWII to send his fellow Jews to the Death Camps and steal their property. Read his own words on link. LLan 86-year-old Holocaust survivor
http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2010/09/173076-173076.html
Lamplighter- Slayer of scums
- Location : I am the Judge, Jury and Executioner
Join date : 2011-06-24
Age : 84
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
As soon as any news outlet refers to Soros as a 'holocaust survivor', it tells me they have nothing worthwhile to say, LL.
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Re: Demonization of Soros recalls old anti-Semitic conspiracies
George Soros: receiving migrants humanitarian obligation for Europe
By Hungary Matters
It is an obligation for Europe to receive migrants, US financier George Soros said in response to a question to Hungarian public news channel M1. “I believe it is Europe’s obligation to care for migrants. It is a humanitarian obligation and I hope Europe will fulfil it,” he said in response to M1’s question concerning whether Europe would indeed be a better place as a result of receiving migrants or whether he was “motivated by economic considerations when making such claims”.
Soros attended the launch of an institute for Roma culture in Berlin. In response to a question about the criticism his views concerning migrants attracted in central and eastern Europe, he said “I am ideologically opposed to the people who are waging that war and I stick to my principles, stand up for it, and I think we shall prevail.”
Nincs hozzászólás/Kein Kommentar/No comment LL
By Hungary Matters
It is an obligation for Europe to receive migrants, US financier George Soros said in response to a question to Hungarian public news channel M1. “I believe it is Europe’s obligation to care for migrants. It is a humanitarian obligation and I hope Europe will fulfil it,” he said in response to M1’s question concerning whether Europe would indeed be a better place as a result of receiving migrants or whether he was “motivated by economic considerations when making such claims”.
Soros attended the launch of an institute for Roma culture in Berlin. In response to a question about the criticism his views concerning migrants attracted in central and eastern Europe, he said “I am ideologically opposed to the people who are waging that war and I stick to my principles, stand up for it, and I think we shall prevail.”
Nincs hozzászólás/Kein Kommentar/No comment LL
Lamplighter- Slayer of scums
- Location : I am the Judge, Jury and Executioner
Join date : 2011-06-24
Age : 84
Similar topics
» Etan Patz's Mum Recalls The Day He Vanished
» Soros bets €100m on German bank collapse
» Soros' groups kicked out of Russia
» Soros bets €100m on German bank collapse
» Soros' groups kicked out of Russia
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:43 pm by Pedro Silva
» help Liam Scott
Sat May 02, 2020 1:05 pm by Pedro Silva
» WE STILL HOPE' Madeleine McCann parents vow to keep searching for their daughter in emotional Christmas message
Thu Dec 26, 2019 9:37 am by Pedro Silva
» Candles site
Fri Sep 20, 2019 6:40 pm by Pedro Silva
» Madeleine McCann's parents urge holidaymakers to take posters abroad with them this summer in bid to find their daughter
Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:33 pm by Pedro Silva
» Madeleine McCann investigation gets more funding
Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:44 pm by Pedro Silva
» new suspect in Madeleine McCann
Sun May 05, 2019 3:18 pm by Sabot
» NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:02 pm by Pedro Silva
» SUN, STAR: 'Cristovao goes on trial' - organised home invasions, etc
Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:54 am by Sabot