Danish police' travel advisory to Jews: stay away from unsafe areas... Ambassador: "It is like Gaza"

The Simon Wiesenthal Center already issued a travel advisory for the Swedish city of Malmo, just on the other side of the bridge from Copenhagen, and I guess it will not take long before Copenhagen receives the same "honour"... More at JihadWatch on the Muslim-dominated area Nørrebro in Copenhagen here.

Translated by Nicolai Sennels, Jyllands-Posten, December 11 2012 "Advice to Jews: Hide the Star of David and your skullcap":

If you are a jew in Copenhagen, it is wise to not show that publicly. On the street there is a risk of harassment, says Israel's ambassador.

"We advise Israelis who comes to visit the synagogue to not wear their skullcap before they are inside. They should not wear it on the street -- not even in areas that are considered 'safe'," says Ambassador Arthur Avnon, who also discourages wearing visible Stars of David and speaking Hebrew loudly in public spaces.

The Mosaic Religious Community advises its young members to think twice before deciding whether to wear a necklace with a Star of David on it.

At the Jewish private school Caroline, headteacher Jan G. Hansen says:

"It's not something we advises officially, but we talk about it in informal settings. We advise people to consider the risk before passing through certain neighborhoods in Copenhagen with a skullcap or Star of David."

There are no official statistics on the harassment of Jews, but Mosaic Religious Community has received 37 reviews of possible anti-Semitism in 2012, ranging from hostile anti-Semitic threats to violent assaults. Much has taken place in Nørrebro or at the synagogue in the middle of Copenhagen.

The Institute for Human Rights follows the so-called hate crimes.

"I understand that the Jews want to protect themselves, but I am sorry that they feel the need to hide their religion. People should feel safe on the street, whether they are Jews, Muslims or Christians," says chief consultant Mandana Zarrehparvar.

The Copenhagen Police will not comment on other people's safety instructions. But Police Commissioner Lars-Christian Borg says that Jews, like other "risk groups", for example, homosexuals who want to hold hands, must take precautions:

"If there are areas where you know that there is a conflict and risk of harassment, you have to stay away. It is a shame to say it, but it's some of the advices we give."

From the Jewish community, several point to the fact that much of the harassment comes from Arabs and/or Muslims.

Translated from Jyllands-Posten (not online), via Uriasposten.net: "They could have burnt it all down" (interview with Israeli ambassador in Denmark, Arthur Avnon):

"We see the same trend in European countries, where there is a large Muslim population. In the Czech Republic, where I was ambassador before, such things do not happen. But in some countries, there are areas where you cannot go as a Jew -- it's like Gaza. In French cities, in London, Antwerp, Brussels. You see the same trend, and Jews are looking for another place to live."

From the fact box:

"November 2012: An elderly Israeli man who has lived in Denmark for many years was assaulted by a group of Arabic-looking men when he ate a kebab at Nørrebro. The perpetrators kicked the victim several times and tore the victim's necklace, on which a visible star of David was hanging, off."

Translated from Jyllands-Posten, December 12, 2012: "Social Democrat: Jew hatred is grotesque":

"It is grotesque. Consider the outcry that would arise if the Turkish embassy advised women against wearing headscarves in Copenhagen. Denmark would hit the rock bottom of all ranking lists on racism," says Lars Aslan Rasmussen.

He understands the advice to the Jews:

"I would not dare to go with a kippah in Nørrebro. Not even for fun. I would be afraid to get killed, to put it bluntly," says Lars Aslan Rasmussen, who has Turkish roots and comes from Nørrebro.