“Contrary to liberal expectations, anti-Semitism has proved to be the most durable ideology of the twentieth century… only anti-Semitism among the major ideologies of modern Europe came close to achieving its stated aim, which was to rid the continent of Jews and Jewish influence. Despite the failure of movements with which it was sometimes aligned—Fascism on the one hand, Communism on the other—anti-Semitism did realize its vision of the future; and due to its proved success, it remains as vigorous and aggressive as ever, pursuing its program of action on another continent.”
-Ruth Wisse
Working Definition of Antisemitism (from IHRA)
Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel,
conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar
to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as
antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to
harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go
wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and
employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.
Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media,
schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into
account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:
- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
- Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
- Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
- Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
- Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
- Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
Reports on Antisemitism
- History under attack: Holocaust denial and distortion on social media (UNESCO, UN)
- 2022 Report on the State of Antisemitism in America (AJC)
- 2021 Report on Online Antisemitism (ADL)
- 2021 Report on the State of Antisemitism in America (AJC)
- 2020 Report on the State of Antisemitism in America (AJC)
- 2017 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents (ADL)
- ADL Tracker of Antisemitic Incidents (ADL)
Links on Antisemitism
- B'nai B'rith International
- American Jewish Committee
- Anti-Defamation League
- Academic Engagement Network
- Combat Antisemitism
- Campaign against Antisemitism
- The Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism
- The Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism
- The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy
- Yale Program for the Study of Antisemitism
- Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism
Lesson Plans on Antisemitism
Audiovisual Resources on Antisemitism
- Nature of Antisemitism (Yad Vashem)
- The Genocidal Aspect of Antisemitism (Yad Vashem)
- European Antisemitism from Its Origins to the Holocaust (USHMM)
- Antisemitism Today (2017) (USHMM)
- Robert Wistrich: A Lethal Obsession (ISGAP)
- Ruth Wisse: Why Antisemitism Succeeds (ISGAP)
- Natan Sharansky: The 3Ds and the IHRA Definition: Tools to Combat Antisemitism (ISGAP)
- The Mainstreaming of Antisemitism: How Should We Respond? (AJC)
- Blood Libel (Jewish Museum London)
- France and the Dreyfus Affair (Yad Vashem)
- The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (Yad Vashem)
- The Sensational Case of Leo Frank (GPB)
- Henry Ford's Assembly Line of Antisemitism (JLI)
- The Truth About Ashkenazi Jews (Unpacked)
Recommended Readings on Antisemitism
- Addressing Anti-Semitism through Education: Guidelines for Policy-Makers (UNESCO)
- Antisemitism (USHMM)
- The Holocaust shouldn’t be a catch-all metaphor for hate – but we can still learn from comparisons
- Data: Antisemitism on Campuses (Algemeiner)
- Shocking Antisemitism in Public Schools (aish.com)
- Inclusion Curriculums Must Teach Antisemitism (Times of Israel)
- Too Jewish For Hollywood: As Antisemitism Soars, Hollywood Should Address Its Enduring Hypocrisy In Hyperbolic Caricatures of Jews (Variety)
- Rising Antisemitism in Texas (ADL)
- The Surprising, Fraught History of the Texan Jewish Experience
- Antisemitism on US College Campuses (The Daily Texan)
- Texas first US state to adopt IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
- US Jewish Groups Hail Adoption by Texas of Leading Definition of Antisemitism
- Texas adopts International Definition of Antisemitism
- United Nations 2019 Report on Antisemitism
The following titles are arranged alphabetically by author. Clicking on each image will open a page with more information.