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Antisemitism has been around for centuries. What makes it different from other types of hate and why is it so pervasive?
Antisemitism is defined as hostility toward, prejudice against, or hatred of Jews.
Before discussing a specific antisemitism definition, you first need to explore the history of the term.
The term, antisemitism, was coined in 1879 by German journalist and race theorist, Wilhelm Marr, in his pamphlet, the Path to Victory of Germanism Over Judaism. Marr expanded on themes he raised in an earlier work, which warned that Jews—as a distinct racial group, or “Semites”—were infiltrating, and diluting, pure German culture.
The term is something of a misnomer in that “Semite,” especially in modern usage, is primarily used as a linguistic grouping, and refers to others, like Arabic-, Aramaic-, and Phoenician-speakers as well. But in the racist morass of 19th century Germany, it was used specifically in reference to Jews as a way of stressing their racial inferiority.
The term stuck, and today is used almost universally to describe hatred and bigotry against Jews.
Given the term’s history, many groups—including the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Yad Vashem, and others—are careful to spell the term as one word (antisemitism), and not with a hyphen (anti-Semitism). According to the IHRA, “The hyphenated spelling allows for the possibility of something called ‘Semitism,’ which not only legitimizes a form of pseudo-scientific racial classification that was thoroughly discredited by association with Nazi ideology, but also divides the term, stripping it from its meaning of opposition and hatred toward Jews.”
Antisemitism is unique in the annals of history, and its distinguishing characteristics include its universality, longevity, intensity, and irrationality.
Universality: Jew hatred is ubiquitous, and since the classical era—with the beginnings of the Jewish diaspora—Jews have been subjected to hardships in the lands where they’ve lived, whether that’s in Europe, the Middle East, throughout North Africa, or in the new world.
Longevity: Antisemitism is millennia old, and can be found as early as the Greek Seleucid Empire (at the time of the Hanukkah story), and with the Roman decrees they issued in response to their travails governing Roman-occupied Judea; but became much more focused and intense with Rome’s conversion to Christianity, the rise of Islam, and the events leading up to and surrounding the Crusades. By medieval times, vicious, government-sanctioned antisemitic decrees, expulsions, and attacks were already old news.
Intensity: Anti-Jewish discrimination and second-class status, while terrible, often quickly devolves into outrageous libels, expulsions, mob violence, murder, and genocide.
Irrationality: Everything and its opposite is a “reason” for antisemitism. For example, in communist countries, Jews were hated for being “capitalists;” while in capitalist countries they were hated for being “communists.” When Jews live in ghettos, they're hated because they're "clannish and keep to themselves;” but when they assimilate, they're hated because they're "trying to infiltrate and corrupt the dominant culture." When Jews live amongst the nations, they're accused of “plotting world domination;” but when they live by themselves, they're called "Zionist colonialist occupiers and oppressors." Jews are “too white” to count as an oppressed minority, but not “white enough” to mollify white supremacists. Jews are also the only people accused of “killing God.” Every reason, no matter how outlandish, is someone’s reason to hate Jews.
European antisemitism, while always dormant, ramped up in levels of ferocity with the onset of the Crusades. In the tenth century, Christian Europe was gripped with “millennium fever” and the certainty of Jesus’ second coming (expected in the year 1000). When that didn’t happen, Christians directed their wrath at the Jews, who not only rejected Jesus in his lifetime, but—by virtue of retaining their Jewish beliefs—continued to reject him.
The Crusades (starting in 1095) marked the first large-scale European mob violence directed against Jews, which became the pattern until modern times. It’s estimated that between 30 and 50 percent of Europe’s Jews were slaughtered by Crusader mobs making their way through Europe en route to liberate the holy land (where they murdered Jerusalem’s Jewish community upon arrival).
And yet, in the ensuing centuries, the Jewish experience in Europe somehow managed to get worse. The period is marked with blood libels, which is the specious claim that Jews a) need Christian blood to bake matzah, and b) are willing to murder to get it; blame for the bubonic plague; expulsions, meaning that on numerous occasions entire Jewish communities were uprooted from their homes and forced to move; pogroms, or wanton anti-Jewish rioting and violence; various massacres and inquisitions; forced confinement, like in the world’s first ghetto in Venice, or in Russia’s Pale of Settlement; race laws and decrees; and, ultimately, the Holocaust.
In the centuries leading up to the Second World War, Germany was a nation awash in racist theory: convinced of its own superiority, yet seeing itself embroiled in an existential struggle with world Jewry. As Wilhelm Marr, the man who coined the term “antisemitism” put it in 1879:
We have amongst us a flexible, tenacious, intelligent foreign tribe that knows how to bring abstract reality into play in many different ways. Not individual Jews but the Jewish spirit and Jewish consciousness have overpowered the world … With the entire force of its armies the proud Roman Empire did not achieve that which Semitism has achieved in the West and particularly in Germany.
Adolf Hitler, Germany’s unchallenged leader from his ascension to power in 1933 until his death in 1945, marshaled his nation’s considerable forces in an effort to expand on Marr’s vision.
If only one country, for whatever reason, tolerates a Jewish family in it, that family will become the germ center for fresh sedition. If one little Jewish boy survives without any Jewish education, with no synagogue and no Hebrew school, it [Judaism] is in his soul. Even if there had never been a synagogue or a Jewish school or an Old Testament, the Jewish spirit would still exist and exert its influence. It has been there from the beginning and there is no Jew, not a single one, who does not personify it.
Against the backdrop of the many horrors of World War II, was Germany’s national mission—under Hitler’s direction—to eradicate world Jewry, which today is called the Holocaust. By the beginning of 1942, nine million Jews were under German control, and by the end of the war, they managed to murder six million of them, or one third of the world’s Jewish population.
Mohammed, Islam’s prophet, had a complicated relationship with the Jews. The Jewish people are cursed in the Koran, yet are also afforded dhimmi status as a “protected people,” which means they can live under Muslim rule without having to convert. Although, in practice, the dhimmi label means “second class,” with a code of law designed to set Jews apart, humiliate them, and emphasize their inferiority.
Similar to the Jewish experience in Europe, Jews in the Islamic world were sometimes treated well, although at other times were subjected to horrific persecutions, libels, expulsions, and other humiliations.
The Grand Mufti and Hitler
Despite claims that Islamic antisemitism is a new phenomenon, and merely a reaction to Zionism, examples of Islamic anti-Jewish persecution predating the Jewish return to Israel abound, including the tragic history of the Jewish community of Yemen, the Syrian blood libel, horrors in Islamic Spain, and many others. As Jews began returning to Israel in the late 19th century, and especially after the rise of Haj Amin Al Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, anti-Jewish attacks intensified—including the 1929 Hebron massacre and the Arab Revolt of the late 1930s—and culminating with the expulsion of just under one million Jews from Arab lands with the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.
Compared to the tragic history of the Jewish communities of Europe and the Islamic world, Jews in the United States have generally been treated well. Although they did experience discrimination, especially in the decades leading up to the 1960s. Quotas were instituted to limit their access to Ivy League universities, white collar businesses and firms wouldn’t hire them, and they were barred from country clubs and other upscale establishments and neighborhoods.
Possibly the most infamous example of American antisemitism happened in late 1862, when, in the midst of the Civil War, Jews were expelled from an area called the “Department of the Tennessee,” which included parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
In the West, in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust—as its horrors were first becoming known—antisemitism seemed to be somewhat diminished, although with the passage of time, it’s back with a vengeance, reimagining many of the same centuries-old libels and tropes with new story lines and more sinister villains.
Inspired by the early 20th century publication, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion—the fake minutes of a meeting of Jewish elders—modern conspiracy theories claim Jews are an international, yet nationless cabal that controls international banking, the media, and even the weather. The American far right is convinced that Jewish interests, and particularly the Rothschild family, control the world’s banks and are responsible for forest fires and other natural disasters; they also embrace extremist theories, like the Great Replacement Theory, which purports that Jews are plotting to replace white workers with immigrants, Muslims, and others.
On the left, antisemitism lives under the guise of anti-Zionism, an Orwellian theory where Palestinians are the new “Jews,” and Jews are the “Nazis.” Anti-Zionists claim their positions are merely critical of Israeli government policies, but in reality they demonize Jews—regardless of where those Jews live or what they believe—and fall back on age old tropes, libels, and accusations; condone vandalism and violence; rationalize terrorist attacks; and pressure businesses, universities, entertainers, and governments to support a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) campaign against Israel. According to human rights activist and former Soviet prisoner, Natan Sharansky, the way to distinguish between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism is to apply the 3D test: Demonization, Double Standard, and Delegitimization. When criticism crosses these lines, it's no longer valid criticism, but antisemitism.
Another emerging antisemitic theme is promoted by groups like the Black Hebrew Israelites, who claim to be the “real Jews,” and that today’s Jewish community is “fake.” Others make the false claim that today’s Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of European descent) are in reality Khazari converts to Judaism, and, in effect, imposters.
Antisemitism is millennia old, and many thoughtful people have tried to explain it. The most common reasons given include the claims that:
While some of these reasons may describe a particular antisemite’s motivation in a given situation, none of them explain the phenomenon, especially since antisemitism happens at times and in places where these reasons aren’t applicable. For example, Jews living in Russia’s Pale of Settlement were penniless and weak, yet still despised; the Jews of 19th century Germany renounced their status as a “chosen people,” but Jew hatred still persisted; Christians may hate Jews for rejecting Jesus, but that doesn’t explain why non-Christian hate Jews; Jews are hated even when they assimilate, and do their best to shed their Jewish identity; it’s difficult to call Jews a race when Jews come in all colors and sizes; and scapegoating isn’t a reason for antisemitism, because you only scapegoat people you already dislike.
Antisemitism is the constant, while the explanation continuously changes, and given that level of malleability, the reasons seem more like excuses. Ultimately, Jews are hated not so much for who they are, but what they represent.
According to the Talmud, Jew-hatred starts with Mount Sinai, which—as chronicled in the book of Exodus—marks the birth of the Jewish people (Exodus 19-20). The secret is in the name, "Sinai," which can also be read, "sinah," the Hebrew word for hatred.
In other words, there's something about being Jewish that makes antisemites apoplectic with rage. It stems from the dawn of the Jewish people, and—whether a Jew is in touch with it or not—somehow represents it.
As Adolf Hitler put it (and as quoted above), "Even if there had never been a synagogue or a Jewish school or an Old Testament, the Jewish spirit would still exist and exert its influence. It has been there from the beginning and there is no Jew—not a single one—who does not personify it."
That Jewish spirit originates at Sinai, which, according to the Torah, is when the Jewish people received the Ten Commandments and became representative of a morality many aspire to, but find difficult to attain. According to Sigmund Freud, "Jews are hated not so much because they killed Jesus, but because they produced him."
Antisemitism is hostility toward, prejudice against, or hatred of Jews. The term was coined in 1879 by German race theorist, Wilhelm Marr. European antisemitism started in Europe with the Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity, but became much more intense with the coming of the Crusades in 1095, and culminated with the Holocaust, the systematic genocide of six million European Jews. Antisemitism also has a long history in the Islamic world. In the United States, antisemitism has been prevalent, and is seeing a revival under the guise of modern conspiracy theories, the ruse of anti-Zionism, and claims that Jews are falsifying their history. Finally, antisemitism exists not because of any convenient “reason” or explanation, but because of the values and ideals the Jewish people represent.
Antisemitism can stem from multiple. People may be antisemitic because they were raised in an antisemitic environment, because they consume antisemitic media or content on social media, or because they are easily influenced by conspiracies.
What's "new" today that contributes to antisemitism is social media where anybody can say anything they want and the "sheep" of the world follow along.
I am surprised that the enslavement of Israelites in ancient Egypt is not included. The excuse that is given, that Israelites might become allies of another nation warring with Egypt, has no basis in actual traitorous acts by Jacob’s descendants living in Egypt. It may have been a “divide and rule” idea to convince Egyptians (many of whom were also enslaved) that the Israelites were the primary instead of Egyptian tyranny.
The one thing that has always been a major cause of antisemitism, at least.in my.perspective, is the belief in One God. No king, priest, politician can be above God. Because Christians fudge on that idea they have consecrated kings and princes who see Jews as not accepting their "God given" power.
As a Holocaust educator, collector and exhibitor I stopped using the term anti-Semitism long ago (hyphenated or not) . Many students and adults have no idea what it means. The slogan I use and suggest that others use as well is Anti-Jewish, just say it!!!!
Is it possible that - this often horrific treatment of the Jewish Nation - throughout the ages - has come about - as G-D stated in His Written Torah - that if we didn't keep the Commandments as He gave them to us - He - would send us into exile - and punish us - 7X7X7 - for our sins - and treating Him casually? Shouldn't we be examining our relationship with G-D - and asking HIM - what are we doing wrong - and how to correct our relationship with Him? Then - accept His answer - and make the necessary corrections.
Preserving Jewish history for future generations is knowledge that goes with them into the future. Jewish history refutes the lies promulgated by anti Semites who make the false claims : Jews are not indigenous to the lands of Judea .Arab/ Muslims who call themselves Palestinian are indigenous to zero relating to the Land of Jews , when everything related to them was taken from the Jews ! Why would Romans have to change the name from Judea to Palestina in the 130 ce if the name Palestine was already there ? Quran says Children of Israel 632 ce not Children of Palestine 130 ce . Google Arch of Titus
Left wing Jewphobia and Israelphobia are best called antizionism with no hyphen and small z because what the antisemitic academic cult espouse is a false narrative about Zionism. Historical Zionism is the longing of the indigenous Jewish people for their historical homeland. What the Ethnic Studies professors behind the Institute for Critical Study of Zionism mean is instead a mythical zionism that involves antisemitic tropes including typical antisemitic conspiracy theories against Israel. The best article is Izabella Tabarovsky’s Tablet article
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/cult-of-antizionism-icsz
Good article
Excellent piece!
Anti-semitism is everywhere.
The Parliament of Canada just gave two standing ovations to a man who had volunteered to serve in a Jew killing SS Division in Galicia.
The crucial difference between now and then is that now we have our own country.
We are not Christians; we do not turn the other cheek.
If the followers of Herr Shicklgruber hit us, we hit back.
Amen to that. I share with you the privilege of living in The Land of Mounties and Maple Syrup. My deepest sympathy.
I am not in Canada, I served in the IDF, now I'm in Britain.
The Canadian parliament was told that the old Ukrainian was a hero for fighting Stalin; it was only revealed later that in fact, he had served in a Nazi division.
Yes, but anyone who knows the least bit about WW2 would surely figure out that if he were fighting against Stalin, he'd have been serving in a Nazi division. This was one of the disturbing elements of the story ... no one amongst all the MP's in our House of Commons was able to spot this problem.