"The end of Jewish Domination"

Greek national daily, Avriani (Tomorrow) has found itself in the centre of allegations of anti-semitism over its 4th November front page headline;

                                    THE END OF JEWISH DOMINATION:

“Everything changes in America which we hope it becomes more democratic and human”

The paper's lead story stated that Barack Obama's recent victory in the US elections was a major setback to Jewish influence over the US government. The article also claimed that Arabic finance was behind Obama's success in the presidential race over the McCain - Palin ticket who were "puppets" of the Jewish lobby.

The article has produced a strong response from Greek human rights groups and Jewish community organisations. The Greek Helsinki Monitor condemned the newspaper and accused the Greek government of indirectly supporting racism as the the front page article also featured an advertisment for the state run OPAP gaming company.

In addition the Anti-Defamation League claimed the article showed that, "anti-Semitism remains alive in Greece today» and that political leaders need to take a clear stand against hate."

It should be noted that despite the existence of legislation outlawing racist speech for nearly 30 years in Greece and numerous incidences in both the printed and electronic press there has been only one successful conviction (click here). In 2008 the Eletherous Kosmos (Free World) newspaper was found guilty under article 2 of law 927/79 for publishing a column by Theodoros Hatzigogos which stated,"Thank God, less than 1500 Jews have been left in Thessaloniki." Apparently referring the the fact that the vast majority of Thessaloniki's Jewish population (Greece's second city) died in Nazi death camps during the Second World War."