Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party Targets AJC

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Apr 30, 2013, 04:05 ET

NEW YORK, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Golden Dawn, the neo-Nazi political party that holds 18 seats in Greece's national parliament, has once again launched a vicious attack on AJC.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130430/DC04871)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO)

Golden Dawn, in an article on the party's website, condemns the upcoming visit to Washington of Greek Prime Minister Samaras, who will be addressing AJC's Global Forum next month. Golden Dawn charges that "Zionists" are in control of U.S. and Greek policy.

To emphasize its bigoted, xenophobic worldview, the Golden Dawn screed is accompanied by a grotesque cartoon that depicts Prime Minister Samaras sitting on the floor under a bloody AJC logo in front of a caricatured Jew in a chair, reminiscent of horrific, Nazi-inspired cartoons of the '30s and '40s in Europe. On the wall is a demonized President Obama, portrayed as a religious Jew. Elsewhere, the president is described in racist terms.

"Golden Dawn does not even attempt to camouflage its ideology of hate," said Harris. "Indeed, Golden Dawn is crystal clear, and, nearly 70 years after the Holocaust, represents an insidious outlook that cannot be ignored today."

This is not the first time AJC has been attacked by Golden Dawn. Similar vitriolic messages were issued during AJC's last visit to Athens in January, when, as a gesture of solidarity, the organization partnered with the Greek-American community to support medical care for Greeks in need.

"AJC enjoys long-standing and fruitful relations with Greece – with the government, civil society, the Orthodox Church, Greek American leaders, and, of course, the Jewish community in Greece," said Harris. "We are truly honored that Prime Minister Samaras, with whom we stay in close touch, will address our Global Forum. He will reach a large global audience eager to hear from him and show their support for Greece's bright and prosperous future – a future in which the Golden Dawn will, we hope, fade into the oblivion it so richly deserves."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee