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The [[Stephen Roth Institute]] at [[Tel Aviv University]] has placed the party along with far-right Greek groups and parties, such as [[Hrisi Avgi]], in its report on [[anti-Semitism]].<ref name="SRI2">[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2001-2/greece.htm Stephen Roth Institute 2001 report]</ref><ref name="SRI2002">[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2002-3/greece.htm Stephen Roth Institute 2002 report]</ref> Karatzaferis has recognized the killing of six million Jews by the Nazis<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20051213+ITEM-055+DOC+XML+V0//EN European Parliament debate (Tuesday, 13 December 2005 - Strasbourg)]</ref> and has signed a motion for a resolution against Anti-Semitism and racism.<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+MOTION+B6-2005-0079+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN European Parliament resolution on anti-Semitism and racism]</ref> However, years earlier, Karatzaferis had challenged "mr. Jew ambassador" (referring to the Israeli ambassador in Greece) to come and discuss "the "[[Auschwitz]] and [[Dachau concentration camp|Dachau]] myth" with him<ref>http://www.iospress.gr/mikro2001/mikro20010929.htm</ref>. He had also stated that the [[Protocols of Zion]] are being put into effect<ref>[http://www.enet.gr/online/online_fpage_text/dt=20.10.2002,id=76848240,84927984,19454128,98978672,11563824]</ref>, claimed that "the Pope and the Jews are conspiring against Greece" and suggested that "the Jews" where responsible for the [[September 11th attacks]]. Jewish candidate Mihail Gkiolman ran on the party's ticket in the 2006 local elections and is currently running as candidate for the 2007 parliamentary elections<ref>[http://www.e-grammes.gr/article.php?id=2743 The Candidates of Popular Orthodox Rally in All of Greece, 28 August 2007]</ref>. LAOS's leader continues to face common accusations of extreme-nationalism and chauvinism in Greece.
The [[Stephen Roth Institute]] at [[Tel Aviv University]] has placed the party along with far-right Greek groups and parties, such as [[Hrisi Avgi]], in its report on [[anti-Semitism]].<ref name="SRI2">[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2001-2/greece.htm Stephen Roth Institute 2001 report]</ref><ref name="SRI2002">[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2002-3/greece.htm Stephen Roth Institute 2002 report]</ref> Karatzaferis has recognized the killing of six million Jews by the Nazis<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20051213+ITEM-055+DOC+XML+V0//EN European Parliament debate (Tuesday, 13 December 2005 - Strasbourg)]</ref> and has signed a motion for a resolution against Anti-Semitism and racism.<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+MOTION+B6-2005-0079+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN European Parliament resolution on anti-Semitism and racism]</ref> However, years earlier, Karatzaferis had challenged "mr. Jew ambassador" (referring to the Israeli ambassador in Greece) to come and discuss "the "[[Auschwitz]] and [[Dachau concentration camp|Dachau]] myth" with him<ref>http://www.iospress.gr/mikro2001/mikro20010929.htm</ref>. He had also stated that the [[Protocols of Zion]] are being put into effect<ref>[http://www.enet.gr/online/online_fpage_text/dt=20.10.2002,id=76848240,84927984,19454128,98978672,11563824]</ref>, claimed that "the Pope and the Jews are conspiring against Greece" and suggested that "the Jews" where responsible for the [[September 11th attacks]]. Jewish candidate Mihail Gkiolman ran on the party's ticket in the 2006 local elections and is currently running as candidate for the 2007 parliamentary elections<ref>[http://www.e-grammes.gr/article.php?id=2743 The Candidates of Popular Orthodox Rally in All of Greece, 28 August 2007]</ref>. LAOS's leader continues to face common accusations of extreme-nationalism and chauvinism in Greece.


The party's spokesman, Adonis Georgiades, has marketed a controversial book by nationalist author and Supreme Court lawyer Konstantinos Plevris entitled "Jews: The Whole Truth" (in Georgiades' own words, his "favorite" book{{Fact|date=September 2007}}) on his home shopping program on Teleasty (which is owned by the party leader). Plevris officially denies that the book is anti-Semitic and is countersuing his accusers , maintaining that "Of the 1,400 pages of my large book, the condemnation encompasses only several paragraphs, of which portions were extracted, with the result that another meaning was given to the words and truth is distorted due to the alteration of phrases".<ref>[http://www.elkosmos.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=52 Jews Are Bringing Us to Court, 30 July 2007]</ref> Plevris, critics note, has previously shared a poltical platform with the openly neo-fascist ''Golden Dawn'' party, in the guise of his earlier ''Front Line'' party.
The party's spokesman, Adonis Georgiades, has marketed a controversial book by nationalist author and Supreme Court lawyer Konstantinos Plevris entitled "Jews: The Whole Truth" (in Georgiades' own words, his "favorite" book{{Fact|date=September 2007}}) on his home shopping program on Teleasty (which is owned by the party leader). For this book Plevris was indicted by the Greek District Attorney on charges of inciting racial violence[http://www.e-tipos.com/newsitem?id=7506]. In it he allegedly describes himself as a "''nazi, fascist, racist, antidemocrat, antisemite''" (p.600), subscribes to the myth of the [[Protocols of the Elders of Zion]], characterizes Jewish children in the concentration camps as "very fat" and "well-fed", claims that Jews are "subhuman" (p.583) "mortal enemies", and criticizes the Nazis for "not ridding Europe of Jewish zionism". In the same book, he allegedly characterizes former UN secretary Koffi Annan a "cannibal" and "descendant of cannibals" and states that Jews need to be 'rounded-up and executed within 24 hours' which is "the only way they understand" (p.742). Plevris officially denies that the book is anti-Semitic and is countersuing his accusers , maintaining that "Of the 1,400 pages of my large book, the condemnation encompasses only several paragraphs, of which portions were extracted, with the result that another meaning was given to the words and truth is distorted due to the alteration of phrases".<ref>[http://www.elkosmos.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=52 Jews Are Bringing Us to Court, 30 July 2007]</ref> Plevris, critics note, has previously shared a political platform with the openly neo-fascist ''Golden Dawn'' party, in the guise of his earlier ''Front Line'' party.


===Position on homosexuality===
===Position on homosexuality===


Earlier in the party's career, in 2002, its leader had related through his television broadcast his conviction that "''1/3 of Greek congressmen are passive homosexuals with Albanian stallions''". [http://www.iospress.gr/ios2006/ios20060325.htm] Later on, Popular Orthodox Rally saw criticism both internally and from its voters over an apparent reversal of its stance with regards to homosexuality. Along with voting for the "European Parliament resolution on homophobia in Europe", Karatzaferis has himself met with homosexual activists and given interviews to homosexual magazines in which he's stated that "two adults should be able to freely live together and their relationship include certain legal recognition" and that "homophobia must be fought".<ref>[http://www.karatzaferis.gr/2005/april/press_220405_2.html Press Release: The President of LA.O.S Mr. G. Karatzaferis accepted the presiding chairs of Greek homosexuals, 22 April 2005]</ref> Karatzaferis has claimed that the only internal disagreement came from the leftist Efthimios Droulias, though it is believed that such positions are partly responsible for the exodus of hardcore nationalists from the party. Another controversy erupted when singer and LAOS candidate Efi Sarri stated "I want all the young sexy girls and boys, foreigners, and homosexuals with me. Specifically for my gay friends, I will try to guarantee safeguards of their property, when one of the two dies, through the achievement of civil marriages or some contract". According to sources with Eleftheros Kosmos, the telephone centers of Tileasty and LAOS were flooded with thousands of indignant callers.<ref>[http://elkosmos.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=695&Itemid=1 Efi Sarri Divides LA.O.S., 31 August 2007]</ref>
Earlier in the party's career, in 2002, its leader had related through his television broadcast his conviction that "''1/3 of Greek congressmen are passive homosexuals with Albanian stallions''". [http://www.iospress.gr/ios2006/ios20060325.htm] Later on, Popular Orthodox Rally saw criticism both internally and from its voters over an apparent reversal of its stance with regards to homosexuality. Along with voting for the "European Parliament resolution on homophobia in Europe", Karatzaferis has himself met with homosexual activists and given interviews to homosexual magazines in which he's claimed to believe "two adults should be able to freely live together and their relationship include certain legal recognition" and that "homophobia must be fought".<ref>[http://www.karatzaferis.gr/2005/april/press_220405_2.html Press Release: The President of LA.O.S Mr. G. Karatzaferis accepted the presiding chairs of Greek homosexuals, 22 April 2005]</ref> Karatzaferis has claimed that the only internal disagreement came from the leftist Efthimios Droulias, though it is believed that such positions are partly responsible for the exodus of hardcore nationalists from the party. Another controversy erupted when singer and LAOS candidate Efi Sarri stated "I want all the young sexy girls and boys, foreigners, and homosexuals with me. Specifically for my gay friends, I will try to guarantee safeguards of their property, when one of the two dies, through the achievement of civil marriages or some contract". According to sources with Eleftheros Kosmos, the telephone centers of Tileasty and LAOS were flooded with thousands of indignant callers.<ref>[http://elkosmos.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=695&Itemid=1 Efi Sarri Divides LA.O.S., 31 August 2007]</ref>


=== Fascist salute incident ===
=== Fascist salute incident ===
Line 48: Line 48:
===Conspiracy theories===
===Conspiracy theories===


LA.O.S. parliament candidate [[Anestis Keramidas]] has been criticized for supporting the [[Epsilon Team]]/[[Epsilonism]] theory.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
LA.O.S. parliament candidate [[Anestis Keramidas]] has been ridiculed for supporting the [[Epsilon Team]]/[[Epsilonism]] theory.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}


==Party Members==
==Party Members==

Revision as of 08:47, 13 September 2007

Template:Infobox Greek Political Party

The Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.O.S. - ΛΑ.Ο.Σ) (Greek: Λαϊκός Ορθόδοξος Συναγερμός, Laikos Orthodoxos Synagermos; Laos also means "people" in Greek) is a Greek quasi-nationalist populist political party, founded and led by controversial journalist Georgios Karatzaferis. Karatzaferis formed LA.O.S. in 2000, after he was expelled from New Democracy.

According to the Popular Orthodox Rally, "the demarcation of the political world in the Right Wing and the Left Wing is not relevant anymore after the end of the Cold War. Nowadays, everyone in every aspect of his or her everyday life is either in favour or against Globalization". The party claims to consist of radically diverse groups that span the entire Left-Right political spectrum. Party president Karatzaferis, speaking on the 6th anniversary of the party's creation, stated "We are united in the only party that has in its ranks labourers and scientists, workers and the unemployed, leftists and rightists".[1]

The youth branch of LA.O.S. is the Youth of the Orthodox Rally or NE.O.S..

The party failed to reach the 3% threshold of the popular vote in the March 7 elections, with 2.2%; three months later it gained 4.12% of the vote and one seat in the 2004 European Parliamentary Elections. In 2004, LA.O.S. absorbed the nationalist Hellenic Front political party and secured support from the Hellenism Party and the Hellenic Women's Political Party.[2] The "Popular Orthodox Rally" is a member of the Independence and Democracy group (IND/DEM) of the European Parliament.

Ideology

Due to the diverse elements that make up the party, Popular Orthodox Rally is difficult to characterize ideologically. In addition, its ideology has seen a marked change over the years. Throughout its existence it has been characterized by the media as "populist", "right-wing"[3][4], "far-right", and "nationalist". Karatzaferis has described the party as everything from a "pre-dictatorship Right" to a merger of Left and Right to a "Popular Liberalism" in official party literature. In addition, party leader Karatzaferis has claimed that the Popular Orthodox Rally is "a profoundly democratic party". Karatzaferis has stated that he supports "patriotism and social solidarity, taking from all ideologies and personalities I like. I don't care if it's called communism, liberalism or socialism".[5]

Although Popular Orthodox Rally began as a nationalist party with an Orthodox Christian religious identity, since 2002 it has steadily broken with this image. In 2002, party leader Karatzaferis, formally regarded as a nationalist, claimed to describe nationalism as a "poison", noting that he only "spoke of patriotism".[6] In 2005, Popular Orthodox Rally attempted to re-define itself by re-naming the party as simply "Popular Rally" but in the end opted to remain with "Popular Orthodox Rally" because of the stir it caused with its more conservative voters.[7][8] That same year, the party voted for the "European Parliament resolution on anti-Semitism and racism" and began making anti-racist appeals. Since then, Jewish, Muslim, immigrant, and homosexual candidates have run on the LAOS ticket alongside communists and moderate nationalists.[9][10] More radical nationalists, such as Konstantinos Plevris, have since then left the party, with some nationalists having joined Patriotic Alliance. Along with voting for the "European Parliament resolution on homophobia in Europe" and publicly denouncing anti-homosexual sentiments, party candidates such as singer Efi Sarri have announced their dedication to homosexual rights, a move that has further alienated the nationalist faction of the party.

Observers note that the Communist Party of Greece is losing votes to LAOS[11] and that, for the first time in its history, it looks to join the Greek parliament. According to Karatzaferis, 50% of his party's voting base is from the liberal-conservative New Democracy and 50% from the left (with 17% specifically communist). However, some electoral experts believe that 80% is from New Democracy and 20% from PASOK and the assorted left.[12]

Controversy

Allegations of anti-semitism

The Stephen Roth Institute at Tel Aviv University has placed the party along with far-right Greek groups and parties, such as Hrisi Avgi, in its report on anti-Semitism.[13][14] Karatzaferis has recognized the killing of six million Jews by the Nazis[15] and has signed a motion for a resolution against Anti-Semitism and racism.[16] However, years earlier, Karatzaferis had challenged "mr. Jew ambassador" (referring to the Israeli ambassador in Greece) to come and discuss "the "Auschwitz and Dachau myth" with him[17]. He had also stated that the Protocols of Zion are being put into effect[18], claimed that "the Pope and the Jews are conspiring against Greece" and suggested that "the Jews" where responsible for the September 11th attacks. Jewish candidate Mihail Gkiolman ran on the party's ticket in the 2006 local elections and is currently running as candidate for the 2007 parliamentary elections[19]. LAOS's leader continues to face common accusations of extreme-nationalism and chauvinism in Greece.

The party's spokesman, Adonis Georgiades, has marketed a controversial book by nationalist author and Supreme Court lawyer Konstantinos Plevris entitled "Jews: The Whole Truth" (in Georgiades' own words, his "favorite" book[citation needed]) on his home shopping program on Teleasty (which is owned by the party leader). For this book Plevris was indicted by the Greek District Attorney on charges of inciting racial violence[2]. In it he allegedly describes himself as a "nazi, fascist, racist, antidemocrat, antisemite" (p.600), subscribes to the myth of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, characterizes Jewish children in the concentration camps as "very fat" and "well-fed", claims that Jews are "subhuman" (p.583) "mortal enemies", and criticizes the Nazis for "not ridding Europe of Jewish zionism". In the same book, he allegedly characterizes former UN secretary Koffi Annan a "cannibal" and "descendant of cannibals" and states that Jews need to be 'rounded-up and executed within 24 hours' which is "the only way they understand" (p.742). Plevris officially denies that the book is anti-Semitic and is countersuing his accusers , maintaining that "Of the 1,400 pages of my large book, the condemnation encompasses only several paragraphs, of which portions were extracted, with the result that another meaning was given to the words and truth is distorted due to the alteration of phrases".[20] Plevris, critics note, has previously shared a political platform with the openly neo-fascist Golden Dawn party, in the guise of his earlier Front Line party.

Position on homosexuality

Earlier in the party's career, in 2002, its leader had related through his television broadcast his conviction that "1/3 of Greek congressmen are passive homosexuals with Albanian stallions". [3] Later on, Popular Orthodox Rally saw criticism both internally and from its voters over an apparent reversal of its stance with regards to homosexuality. Along with voting for the "European Parliament resolution on homophobia in Europe", Karatzaferis has himself met with homosexual activists and given interviews to homosexual magazines in which he's claimed to believe "two adults should be able to freely live together and their relationship include certain legal recognition" and that "homophobia must be fought".[21] Karatzaferis has claimed that the only internal disagreement came from the leftist Efthimios Droulias, though it is believed that such positions are partly responsible for the exodus of hardcore nationalists from the party. Another controversy erupted when singer and LAOS candidate Efi Sarri stated "I want all the young sexy girls and boys, foreigners, and homosexuals with me. Specifically for my gay friends, I will try to guarantee safeguards of their property, when one of the two dies, through the achievement of civil marriages or some contract". According to sources with Eleftheros Kosmos, the telephone centers of Tileasty and LAOS were flooded with thousands of indignant callers.[22]

Fascist salute incident

During the LAOS party convention of 2006 in Thessaloniki, presided by Georgios Karatzaferis, a participant gave a fascist salute while the national anthem was being played, in presence of the full assembly at the closure of the conference. This motion, which was videotaped by a television station, predictably caused a stir in the Greek media, [4] especially in light of the fact that neither Karatzaferis nor any of the other participants in LAOS's convention "displayed the slightest reaction" (Ta Nea, 20/02/2006) at the gesture. Later on, Karatzaferis claimed that he had not seen the fascist salute, and accused rival parties (specifically, New Democracy) of "planting" the person in order to discredit his party. The Greek press noted, however, that the man could not be unrelated to LAOS, as all participants in the convention wore name tags and were either full rank and file members of LA.O.S., or registered observers who had provided their data and names before entering the convention center ; moreover, although all participants had been given name tags and registered in order to participate, Karatzaferis did not disclose the identity of the offender he accused of acting as an "agent provocateur"[5].

Conspiracy theories

LA.O.S. parliament candidate Anestis Keramidas has been ridiculed for supporting the Epsilon Team/Epsilonism theory.[citation needed]

Party Members

Former Members

Notes

  1. ^ Georgios Karatzaferis, "6 Years Popular Orthodox Rally", 14 September 2006
  2. ^ Joint Statement by the Hellenic Women's Political Party and Hellenism Party, "Vote Hellenic, Break Bipartisanism", 2004
  3. ^ First term judged by second, 10 August 2007
  4. ^ Wall of flame threatens to engulf birthplace of the Olympic Games, 27 August 2007
  5. ^ ND's nemesis is named Karatzaferis, 1 June 2007
  6. ^ "I am not far-Right", Eleftheros Typos, 27 October 2002.
  7. ^ "Karatzaferis Cut 'Orthodox' From His Party", Stochos, 1 September 2005
  8. ^ "How LA.O.S. Became LA.SY.", Eleftheros Kosmos, 16 October 2005
  9. ^ ‘French-Greek axis’ with the same extreme views, 4 January 2006
  10. ^ The KKE Candidates of Karatzaferis, Stochos, 13 November 2005
  11. ^ Time to redefine patriotism in Greece, 17 August 2007
  12. ^ ND's nemesis is named Karatzaferis, 1 June 2007
  13. ^ Stephen Roth Institute 2001 report
  14. ^ Stephen Roth Institute 2002 report
  15. ^ European Parliament debate (Tuesday, 13 December 2005 - Strasbourg)
  16. ^ European Parliament resolution on anti-Semitism and racism
  17. ^ http://www.iospress.gr/mikro2001/mikro20010929.htm
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ The Candidates of Popular Orthodox Rally in All of Greece, 28 August 2007
  20. ^ Jews Are Bringing Us to Court, 30 July 2007
  21. ^ Press Release: The President of LA.O.S Mr. G. Karatzaferis accepted the presiding chairs of Greek homosexuals, 22 April 2005
  22. ^ Efi Sarri Divides LA.O.S., 31 August 2007

See also

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