25. 01. 11. - 16:18

'Valley of the Wolves' labelled as 'anti-Semitic'

The Jewish Community in Austria (IKG) has criticised an upcoming movie for "creating anti-Semitic agitation".

IKG General Secretary Raimund Fastenbauer said today (Tues) it was "disgusting and cynical" that "Valley of the Wolves" – a Turkish production preceded by a popular TV series – opens in cinemas in Austria and Germany under the name "Tal der Wölfe" on this Thursday’s (27 January) International Holocaust Commemoration Day.

"Valley of the Wolves" is based on incidents on the MV Mavi Marmara last May. The ship was part of a flotilla operated by charity groups en route to Gaza to supply the Palestine people with food supply. Nine activists were killed and many more injured when Israeli forces – who said the charity workers were armed – raided and seized it in international waters, claiming it breached the naval Gaza area blockade. Israel and Turkey have engaged in a bitter diplomatic dispute ever since.

The movie will be screened in 25 countries. The IKG claimed Jewish people have been accused of being involved in international organ trade in prequels of the new film. The community said the moviemakers had "engaged in anti-Semitic agitation" and accused them of "using anti-Semitic clichés like the one about Jewish world domination".

German non-government organisations (NGOs) have previously said that the "Valley of the Wolves" cinema and TV productions were "spreading anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic stereotypes."

Fastenbauer has called on Austria’s political elite to "give a clear statement" on the issue.