General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe week Golden Dawn turned openly Nazi (SS songs and antisemitism)
Golden Dawn supporters wave party and Greek national flags during a rally outside parliament on 4 June.
It has been a bad week for democracy in Athens. All around this great Greek city, the politics of hate now lurk. On Friday I got a taste of it in the tiny Italian-style cafe I frequent off Syntagma Square.
The first, a self-described businessman decked out in designer suit, brogues and silk tie, blamed the country's economic collapse on malfeasance, corruption and uncontrolled immigration. "The only way to teach our filthy politicians is to bring in Golden Dawn," he trilled, his eyes locked in a fierce glare. "These gentlemen are patriots, proud Greek nationalists, and they know how to deal with the scum, the foreigners who never pay taxes, who steal our jobs, who have taken over our streets."
Dismissing charges that Golden Dawn is a criminal gang masquerading as a political group, the second a self-described government employee said the far right was the best response yet to the great Jewish conspiracy of an interconnected banking system that has come with globalisation. "Let's not forget all the faggots and the Jews, the wankers who control the banks, the foreigners who are behind them, who came in and fucked Greece," he insisted.
In a global survey released by the Anti-Defamation League last month, Greece at 69% was found to be the most antisemitic country in Europe.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/07/greece-golden-dawn-fascism-threat-to-democracy
Golden Dawn's hatred of immigrants, gays and Jews would almost be quaint - a throwback to a bygone era that died with Nazi Germany - if it were not such a threat to Greek democracy.
ellenrr
(3,864 posts)the Golden Dawn has been nazi fascist since its inception.
hello Guardian, nice you have noticed.
pampango
(24,692 posts)Apparently their electoral success has convinced them that a 'softly, softly' approach is not needed so they have gone back to business as usual.
LeftishBrit
(41,203 posts)And I think possibly needs more media attention than it's getting.
Antisemitism and general xenophobia have been a problem in Greece for a long time, and as often, got worse with the economic disaster. Bur the rise of true neo-Nazis is recent and frightening.
It should be remembered that stable democracy in Greece is a recent phenomenon and could easily be destroyed. Less than 50 years ago, Greece was under a brutal military dictatorship.
PCIntern
(25,481 posts)they'd be right at home.
Rhinodawg
(2,219 posts)un-believe-ably disgusting.
dumbsh*ts.
Behind the Aegis
(53,921 posts)I wonder what it will take for the "right" people to become concerned.
Rhinodawg
(2,219 posts)Population of Jews in Greece : 5000....0r .0454% of the Greek population.
sarisataka
(18,490 posts)quaint???????????????
We are not dealing with Hogan's Heroes nazis
pampango
(24,692 posts)Greek democracy."
If the principles embodied by Nazi Germany were relegated to the dustbin of history, Golden Dawn would simply be xenophobic, racist, anti-Semitic homophobes trying to live in a "glorious past" that died 70 years ago. Unfortunately that is not the case. They are real life modern Nazis.