en 
“The growth of anti-Semitism in Europe should be a warning sign for everyone and, unfortunately, I think it happened very quickly”, said Levine, in Covilhã, after highlighting that “destabilisation in the Middle East is a concern for everyone.”
During a visit to Belmonte and Covilhã, in the district of Castelo Branco, the diplomat introduced herself as “an American Jewish woman”, who feels that also in Portugal there is hostile behaviour against people of Jewish origin, in certain cases “a negative discourse, of hate.”
Levine travelled to Belmonte, where a Jewish community is concentrated, and visited the Jewish Museum and the town's synagogue, accompanied by the local rabbi - and then to Covilhã, where there is also the old Jewish quarter.
“Following the history of Jews in Portugal is important to me, particularly now, because of the rise of global anti-Semitism, including in Europe,” said Levine.
The diplomat emphasised that, since she has been working in Portugal, she has promoted interaction with representatives of different religions and highlighted that communication with other elements of the community is important.
“I am a Jewish woman, I am very proud of my origins. I arrived here, participated, organised inter-religious dialogues in my home, invited people from the Indian community, the Muslim community and I think that we should not be afraid to combat hate speech”, stressed the diplomat.
At the Covilhã Chamber, where she was received by the president, Vítor Pereira, the ambassador highlighted the “bridge between the ancient and the modern” that she found in the two locations she visited and that allowed her to “learn more about history”.
“It is wonderful for me to see that there are those who preserve the history of the Jews, the mark they left in Portugal and honour this history”.
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Without wanting to divulge too much, I actually have a lot more personal experience with this, than this woman.
So, for what it's worth:
All over Europe anti semitism, no , JEW HATRED, is evident. It comes from 2 directions: the new arrivals, and the left.
Now to Portugal: I don't think Portugal is an anti semitic country, mainly because it doesn't have the "new style" imported demographics that many EU countries now have, such as France, Germany, UK, etc. Thankfully, and let's hope it stays this way, because otherwise Portugal IS DONE - remember, Portugal is neither France, nor Great Britain, it took decades to crawl out of the dark ages, a violent change in demographics will propel it back into the abyss forever.
But what I'm trying to say is this: the left has ALWAYS hated Jews. And Europe is ruled by the left - the far left . The Nazi party in the 30s was called the NSDAP, which strands for NATIONAL SOZIALISTISCHE ARBEITER PARTEI.
National socialist workers' party - ok, national whatever, but SOCIALIST WORKERS!? Hello!!!
Hitler himself said in a speech in Munich in 1929 "we are SOCIALISTS".
So what I'm saying is, yes there are anti semitic elements in the Portugal just like elsewhere, but unlike elsewhere, here they come from the Portugese, and those Portugese are socialists. The left worships Islam. Hitler was a friend of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and a huge Ilsmaophile. And before I get attacked, I'm old enough to remember real neo nazis all over Europe. Small groups of young men, with shaved heads, used to be a regular sight 30 years ago. Here and there obviously, not everywhere. But I havent seen a neo nazi in 25 years! Where are they? The NEW Nazis are the left! Hence their beloved imports!
By Hart from Lisbon on 11 Jan 2024, 14:06
Ms. Levine is not being fair to the Portuguese people in this article by stating her feelings of their 'hostile behavior' toward the Jewish people. First of all, she does not define what she means by 'hostile'. So it's left up to the reader to interpret. Second, instead of promoting good will toward our Portuguese friends, she's promoting the idea Portuguese people are turning to anti-semitism. Not a very good performance for our ambassador to Portugal.
By Chris from USA on 11 Jan 2024, 15:49
Unfortunately, "anti-semitism" is often being used recently as a synonym for any activity or speech that is against murder of innocents, injustice and self-interested brutality. Perhaps recognizing others as humans too would help solve this.
By Jo Walker from Algarve on 11 Jan 2024, 17:13
See what I mean, with Jo Walkers' comment? She/he is mad because jews are not rolling over and letting themselves be slaughtered. Who cares about the raped girls, paraded around naked, beaten and spat at, filmed for the world to see, and then killed? Who cares about BEHEADED BABIES, and kidnapped elderly?
According to Jo, the only Jew who deserves sympathy is the dead one. The live ones are not allowed to defend themselves.
Thak you Jo for showing us all the tolerant lovely left. If only everyone were as peaceful, inclusive, tolerant, non-killy, and non-slaughtery as those lovely neighbours of naughty Israel, ey?
By Hart from Lisbon on 13 Jan 2024, 10:34
Is Ms. Levine an ambassador for Israel or the US? The ambassador is tripping over herself to prempt any criticism of Israel or their Zionist supporters. Sadly, today the job of a US ambassador is to export neoliberalism and agitate for the undermining of the prevailing social order of their host countries.
By Otavio from Other on 15 Jan 2024, 02:11
Hart's initial comment and his/her very aggressive response (attack) to Jo Walker's objective comment, is so, so typical of what Israel does - Always playing the victim !!! Please do not, I repeat, please do not equate anti-Zionism (colonialism) with anti-semitism. ALL Killing is wrong!! (Need I say this). Nor is Killing Three Thousand fold in response NOT Justified, nor is it self defence, especially if it is killing 10,000 children. What the US Ambassador and Hart, are confusing and calling "anti-semitism" is a very very natural opposition to killing and murder. Stop insulting common sense. What is on the rise is our sentiment against a Nation that rules by occupation, brute force and apartheid. GIVE PEACE & HUMAN DIGNITY A CHANCE PLEASE !!
By Rossini Paul SILVEIRA from Beiras on 26 Jan 2024, 14:44
In my view, the US ambassador underestimates antisemitism in Portugal. Balanced criticism of Israel is increasingly rare, and I see a rise in radical anti-Jewish feelings here in the media, universities, civil society, some political parties, etc. Like elsewhere in Europe, there seems to be little interest at the moment at the political level to address this (e.g. the national co-ordinator for the fight against antisemitism is not visible at all), and this is worrying for the future of the small Jewish community in Portugal.
By Olivier de Legne from Lisbon on 21 Mar 2024, 10:38