Is Chavez the new Grand Mufti?

From FrontPage Magazine comes this very disturbing article about anti-semitism in the land of the Simian King:

Is it a coincidence that in an authoritarian socialist state that has sidled up to the world’s most dangerous Islamist state is home to an increasing spree of violence targeting the Jewish community? Is it a spree being directed by Hugo Chavez out of bigoted or self-aggrandizing reasons? Or is any collectivist nation dominated by a strongman an inevitable incubator of anti-Semitism and scapegoating of its Jewish minority?

Whatever the answers, Venezuela is providing the evidence. Observers like the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Latin America expert Andres Oppenheimer cite “a well-orchestrated [anti-Semitic] campaign” that has been taking place on Venezuela’s government sponsored radio and television stations, newspapers and websites such as Aporrea. Stoking anti-Semitic fervor, such outlets frequently compare Israel to Nazi Germany and denounce “international Jewish conspiracies.” Meanwhile, an association of reporters urged Venezuelans to boycott local businesses owned by Venezuelan Jews. And the media is not alone in fueling anti-Jewish incitement.