George Soros has very rarely spoken to Jewish groups, but last week broke this rule to speak to a conference of the Jewish Funders Network, a philanthropic group. He shares Paul Krugman’s belief that rising anti-Semitism in Europe and Asia is in part the fault of the Bush administration, but Soros goes further and argues that, in fact, it’s also, in part, the fault of Jews:
When asked about anti-Semitism in Europe, Soros, who is Jewish, said European anti-Semitism is the result of the policies of Israel and the United States. “There is a resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe. The policies of the Bush administration and the Sharon administration contribute to that,” Soros said. “It’s not specifically anti-Semitism, but it does manifest itself in anti-Semitism as well. I’m critical of those policies.” “If we change that direction, then anti-Semitism also will diminish,” he said. “I can’t see how one could confront it directly.”
Refreshingly frank, I guess. Soros even blames himself for contributing to anti-Semitism by being a wealthy, er, Jew, who makes money on the currency markets, among other things:
The billionaire financier said he, too, bears some responsibility for the new anti-Semitism, citing last month’s speech by Malaysia’s outgoing prime minister, Mahathir Mohammad, who said, “Jews rule the world by proxy.” “I’m also very concerned about my own role because the new anti-Semitism holds that the Jews rule the world,” said Soros, whose projects and funding have influenced governments and promoted various political causes around the world. “As an unintended consequence of my actions,” he said, “I also contribute to that image.”
So wealthy Jews are somehow responsible because others observe their wealth and invent crack-pot notions of Jews ruling the world? Huh? Anti-semitism doesn’t fester in every climate. But it does particularly well when it is excused, rationalized or appeased. It seems to me that this is what George Soros has just done – and it’s the only thing for which he should feel in any way responsible.
The Dish 