Jewish World: European Jewish Group Fears Israel Backlash!

The Jewish Congress fears that an Israeli strike on Iranian nuke facilities will lead to 'dramatic increases of anti-Semitic, very violent attacks against Jews, if Israel attacks Iran to stop its nuclear development program. The US and its allies suspect that Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a charge that Tehran denies. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its very existence, and claiming that time is running out, has repeatedly hinted that it is prepared to strike Iran's nuclear installations if necessary. Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, said he feared a minority of angry, extremist European Muslims who live in impoverished neighborhoods might use an Israeli attack as a pretext to hit local Jews, particularly in France and Great Britain. "If Israel attacks Iran, it will be a dramatic increase of anti-Semitic, very violent attacks against Jews," Kantor said. "And the vehicle for the realization of the attacks will be these enclave communities, where the level of hatred is very high and they are prepared to attack enemies inside their countries," he said. Israeli leaders have reacted with skepticism to the latest efforts by world powers to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program. Israel's deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, said Wednesday the talks may be an Iranian stalling tactic as it pushes forward with a weapons program. He cautioned against "falling into the trap of a good atmosphere" and urged the West to impose tougher economic sanctions on Iran immediately. Kantor, a Russian-Swiss businessman, said his group is prodding European governments to take more measures to protect Jewish communities.