A Secular Jew in a Muslim Land

The foundation of Western Civilization is infested with termites, and the structure is sagging at the northeast corner...

Here's a sad commentary from a young British woman at the front lines of the East-West culture clash. The liberal bastion that was Europe is becoming quite illiberal thanks to its booming population of 8th century obscurantist, misogynist haters.

I am a secular, liberal, identifying British Jew. My parents would have taken great pleasure if my acting talents had landed me a starring role in the primary school nativity play; on Christmas Day, we gather at home eating smoked salmon bagels and mince pies. There is no conflict whatsoever between my religion and nationality.

In August 2001, I turned 21 and my parents gave me a Star of David necklace. Then a month later, the world changed and my mother, with remarkable foresight, began her campaign to rescind the gift, begging me to take it off because she was frightened it would make me a target in the wake of mounting evidence that fanatical Islamism was tightening its grip on the country. My argument was always the same - when I am no longer safe being identifiably Jewish on the tube, I don't want to live in England.

Now it's happening and I am devastated...(Read entire article)

Echos of 1938...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/11/gaza-britain-judaism-antisemitism