The Simon Wiesenthal Center released its new “Top Ten Anti-Israel/Anti-Semitic Slurs of 2011.” This year’s list contains both anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slurs and re-emphasizes that these statements, publicly made by prominent mainstream figures, have become commonplace and not just from terrorist organizations, the lunatic fringe, or the government of Iran.

Topping the list is Mahmoud Abbas:  "Most identity theft occurs without the victim's knowledge, but Mahmoud Abbas' statement to the UN General assembly robbing the Jewish people of their heritage is the most flagrant example of identity theft in broad daylight in front of the world," said Rabbi Hier, Founder and Dean of the Wiesenthal Center.

Second on the list is Time Magazine's Man of the Year, Turkish Prime Recep Tayyup Erdogan:  "Prime Minister Erdogan gets a free pass for his hatred of Israel because he has become the darling of the West.  Even a Prime Minister of a country must be called out for his bigotry," Rabbi Hier said.

Other quotes are classic Jewish conspiracy theories as well as anti-Israel statements updated to reflect current anxieties. “These ten examples constitute a fraud alert from people who should know better who have crossed the line,” added Rabbi Hier.

This year, the Wiesenthal Center is asking that members of the public forward on to them the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slurs that they might hear so that such incidents be exposed and the perpetrators be held accountable. The public can forward them to: slurs2012@wiesenthal.com

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

For more information and/or to request an interview, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310-553-9036. 

For the complete list Click Here.