The Longest Hatred, From the Cross to the Swastika - Part 1

This 3 part series studies the 2,000-year history of hatred towards the Jews and the many phrases used for acts of hate and violence. The three episodes deal with the history of Christian anti-Semitism, its presence and frequency in Europe today and the Islamic stance towards the Jews. Demonizing the Jews in the Middle Ages lead to plundering and holy crusades to “liberate” the Holy Land and reached a pinnacle with anti-Semitic phrases in the characters of the “Final Solution” of the Nazis. The series presents the slides of Jewish and Christian researchers on the roots of anti-Semitism and also anti-Semitism today, in Europe and in Moslem states opposed to the State of Israel, leading to dangerous anti-Semitic feelings. The first part, “From the Cross to the Swastika”, is a portrait showing how hatred of the Jews reached a climax in the Holocaust. The second part, “Enemy of the People”, deals with the 20th century and includes news broadcasts and interviews showing how artists in East Europe are inspired by Neo-Nazi organizations. The last part, “Between Moses and Muhammad”, shows how Jewish and Arab cultures, existing side by side in relative quiet for hundreds of years, turned into a permanent circle of violence and vengeance.