Anti-Semitism around the world...

There has been a growing sense of anti-semitism throughout the
world. For example, the article below shows that one of the Bali
Bombers was sentenced to death. He walked into the court
saying "Burn, Burn the Jews." But anti-semitism is up all around
the world. Mel Gibson has just shown a preview of his new movie
where he blames Jews for the death of Christ. Although the Pope
came out in the 50's or 60's and said that was untrue, he belongs to
a church that still believes it. Throughout Europe the number of
hate crimes against Jews is on the rise. Synagogues and cemetaries
are being desicrated all over.

I keep hearing about how Muslims are being targeted for hate
crimes. But I see Jews being targeted for hate crimes as well. The
irony of it (in my opinion) is that Muslims and Jews are going
through the same sort of discrimination, and yet both groups feel
that they are alone in their struggle. They both face the same
hatred, and yet they continue to show it for one another.

I also find it odd that most of this hatred stems from the land of
Israel/Palestine. In discussions in the past with PY's the question
has been raised, why do the Jews need a land of their own? I had
answered in the past that if Jews were not being killed and attacked
in their own native countries, they wouldn't need somewhere to flee
to. Again, it's ironic. Jews have moved to Israel in order to not
face discrimination - and yet that move itself is the cause for even
more discrimination. It's quite a catch 22.

Dahlia
swy 14 usa

Defiant Amrozi Sentenced to Death for Bali Bombings
Thu August 7, 2003 08:05 AM ET
By Joanne Collins and Karima Anjani

BALI, Indonesia (Reuters) - An Indonesian Muslim militant dubbed the
smiling bomber was sentenced to death on Thursday for his part in
last year's deadly nightclub attacks on the resort island of Bali.

As the sentence was announced, a defiant Amrozi swiveled his chair
to the courtroom to face victims as well as relatives of those
killed, smiled broadly and made a thumbs-up sign with both hands.

"Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest)," Amrozi, shouted twice, punching
his fist in the air after the judge read his sentence for plotting,
organizing and carrying out crimes of terror in relation to the
October 12 nightclub blasts.

Australian victims hugged and kissed each other as the chief judge
pronounced the verdict on Amrozi, a 40-year-old mechanic from
central Java island. Many shouted with delight.

The verdict comes just two days after a car bomb killed 10 people at
a luxury hotel in the capital, Jakarta, and coincided with concern
that a shadowy Southeast Asian network linked to al Qaeda might be
plotting further strikes.

"The panel of judges declare that the defendant Amrozi has been
found guilty of criminal acts in carrying out terrorist crimes...and
the sentence on the defendant Amrozi is death," chief judge I Made
Karna told the court.

The bombings were "actions beyond the bounds of humanity and outside
any religious teachings," Karna said.

Hundreds of revelers, most of them foreign tourists, were packed
into nightclubs in Bali's Kuta beach district on a busy Saturday
night when two blasts, the largest a massive car bomb, ripped
through the area, killing 202 people.

Nearly half the dead were Australians enjoying holidays on an island
famed for its flower-scented Hindu festivals and golden beaches.
Several dozen Indonesians, including Balinese, also died.

"I hope that this verdict provides some sense of comfort to those
who lost their loved ones in this tragedy and that they feel that in
some way justice has been done," Australian Prime Minister John
Howard told reporters in Sydney.

Australian Jake Ryan, 22, who lost half a foot in the bombing,
fought back tears and struggled for words. "It's been a long day,"
he told Reuters.

Amrozi's lawyer said his client would appeal on the grounds his only
contribution to the world's worst act of terror since the September
11, 2001, attacks was to supply a van and chemicals for the car bomb
that destroyed one of the two nightclubs.

"NOTHING PERSONAL"

"He's sorry for those who were not the targets," lawyer Wirawan
Adnan told reporters. "He doesn't have anything personal against the
Australians for instance. The targets were the Americans and the
Jews."

When Amrozi entered the court in the morning, dressed in a
traditional loose white shirt, a cream and green skull cap and dark
trousers, he punched his fist in the air and shouted, "Burn, burn
the Jews."

During his trial that began in early May, Amrozi had admitted to
participating in the Bali blasts, had told the court that "whites"
deserved to die and said he welcomed the death sentence.

However, he said he did not belong to the Jemaah Islamiah Muslim
network that police blame for the Bali bombings and are already
linking to Tuesday's Jakarta blast at the JW Marriott Hotel.

While victims celebrated the first verdict, Amrozi's family sat in
subdued silence in his home village of Lamongan on Java island.

"It is so unfair... While Amrozi stayed in prison, bombs are still
exploding in Jakarta," said his elder sister, Tasmiah.

"Everything has been orchestrated. I do not believe Amrozi is
capable of making bombs that big."

Police have already highlighted similarities between the Bali bombs
and Tuesday's attack, especially in the bomb composition. The Bali
bombs were made mainly of TNT and potassium chlorate -- a fertilizer
compound.

Two of Amrozi's brothers are also on trial for Bali.

But as the first suspect arrested, Amrozi has been a focal point of
anger in Bali, a picture-postcard mix of surfing beaches, emerald
rice fields and gentle people.

Amrozi's giggling delight at the attacks, broadcast in a public
police interrogation a month after the Bali blasts, shocked people
across this Hindu island and around the world.

He also gained notoriety by laughing at Indonesian witnesses.

Like other accused Bali bombers, Amrozi came under the sway of the
teachings of Abu Bakar Bashir, alleged head of Jemaah Islamiah.
Police have linked Bashir to the Bali blasts but not named him as a
suspect. The cleric has denied wrongdoing.