Anti-Semitism, which has spread widely on the left in recent years, is already bearing fruit. The Ksaver Meško Library in Slovenj Gradec has recently staged an openly anti-Semitic exhibition that revives old stereotypes about Jews, similar to those from Nazi Germany.
Anti-Semitism on the left has a long history, but it has grown even stronger in recent years. This has also been confirmed by university professor Dr Matevž Tomšič, who said on the matter: “However, the ideological basis of anti-Semitism in Europe has changed significantly in recent times. Traditionally, it was the domain of the (far) right (although its most deadly variant, i.e., National Socialism, was a combination of right-wing, as well as left-wing elements).”
“It constantly proclaimed Jews to be a foreign body within European nations, undermining their unity, culture, and tradition. But now anti-Semitism has moved to the left. Those who shout anti-Jewish slogans and write anti-Semitic graffiti today are, in addition to Muslims, mainly members of the extreme left. These two groups often act hand in hand, as seen in numerous protests against ‘Israel’s destruction of Gaza’.”
Of course, anti-Semitism today is often cloaked in the left-wing rhetoric of the fight for human rights (in Israel and Palestine/Gaza). This was also recently hinted at by the outgoing Israeli ambassador to Brussels, Haim Regev. However, it should be noted that the world receives news from Gaza through the filter of the terrorist organisation Hamas.
The hatred of the transitional left towards Jews has its roots in Tito’s Yugoslavia
Such reporting also often riles up some prominent representatives of the transitional left, especially from the Left party (Levica), which is known for its emotional ties to the socialist past, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the story of Palestine. This story is also linked to resistance to Israel and Israelis. The issue has a strong ideological charge. Namely, it is the ideological baggage of Tito’s failed Yugoslavia. As noted by Mateja Režek in an article on Yugoslavia, Israel and Palestine, “Yugoslavia’s Middle East policy had been well known since the mid-1950s: it was marked by support for Arab countries and the Palestinian liberation movement and rejection of Israeli policy and American neocolonialism.”
Such attitudes toward Israel and Israelis continue to bear fruit even today. One recent example was highlighted by the Jewish Cultural Centre: “Anti-Semitism with a smile and without shame in the public library in Slovenj Gradec – a disgrace and a tragedy. The woman on the right is Draga Ropič, director of the Ksaver Meško Library in Slovenj Gradec, and the man on the left is Miha Pečovnik, a self-taught digital ‘artist’. He donated this kitsch to the library, and the woman happily shared it on social media.”
This is not an isolated case, which indicates a rise in anti-Semitism!
However, this is by no means the first such case. Let us remind you of the offensive graffiti that appeared on the door of the Jewish Centre in Ljubljana not long ago, which equated the Star of David with the swastika. In light of all of this, we have sent a journalistic question to both the director of the library, Draga Ropič, and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, regarding this matter. Will the minister express concern about the persecution of Jews? It would be interesting to see her reaction if an artist were to attack Palestinians and Hamas.
Response from the director of the Slovenj Gradec library, Draga Ropič: “As I have already explained in my response to the Jewish Cultural Centre, which accused me of anti-Semitism, incompetence, ignorance… I reject such accusations and explain that the aforementioned painting by Miha Pečovnik was part of an exhibition of his works in our library and that it was the only painting with this theme. At the end of the exhibition, the author donated the painting to the library with an explanation, which he also posted on his Facebook profile.
That is also when the infamous photograph was made in which the author and I are standing next to the painting, which prompted the Jewish Cultural Centre to launch a smear campaign against me. The painting has been removed from our library premises, returned to the author, and is no longer in our possession. I would also like to point out that there was no actual documented transfer or record of the painting being donated to the library, and I would like to emphasise once again that I reject the accusations of the Jewish Cultural Centre, which are being used for slander against me on social media, because I am by no means anti-Semitic and in no way incite hatred towards Jews.
I do not understand these accusations, as the post on Facebook was not created by me or by the Ksaver Meško Library. As a library, we made it possible for all residents of the Mislinja Valley and all our users to take part in the exhibition (digital – art), including Miha Pečovnik, and we did not expect this kind of criticism, nor did we receive it from a single visitor to the exhibition or from other library users.
I am convinced that the author simply wanted to draw attention to the increasingly untenable situation and conditions faced by Palestinians at the hands of Israel, especially politically. Finally, I understand that you had to contact me in light of the complaint, but I do not understand the desire for scandal on the part of the Jewish Cultural Centre, as I respectfully and kindly explained the situation to them and told them that the painting is no longer in our library, which can also be confirmed by the Slovenj Gradec Police Station, who came to check the actual situation and the truthfulness of my words – my statement.“
Domen Mezeg
