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Reader comment on item: Europe's Threat to the West

Submitted by Lilach Slauch (Netherlands), May 21, 2004 at 13:06

I wouldn't know what to say if you're just wondering what caused a rise in nationalism in the immediate after 11 Sept 2001. It is true that Nationalism is and was before 911 already well established here in Europe. But there is indeed some change in its character after 11 September. Exact the same message that you, Dr. Daniel Pipes, describe is being adopted as a tool by right wing racist to get political power. They use the fear appeal to promote their more hidden agenda, and that is a Europe without foreigners and Jews.

We have already far-right parties sharing power in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark, we have the on-the-march Vlaam's Blok in Belgium and the Front National in France, and we have a number of other voices beginning to be heard. I know (as teacher) that most Arabs, Turks and southeast European Muslims in West Europe are quite normal people, but those few indoctrinated youth are really a destructive force for them self, their innocent community and the "new" political face of Europe. I do not believe there will be ever an Islamic Europe but I am not so sure that Europe has learn the lessons of her horrible past.

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