An Overview of Contemporary Antisemitism

Key Findings:

This article is a theoretical and conceptual introduction to the phenomenon of antisemitism. It describes the development of the concept of antisemitism, and discusses how it has evolved, the theoretical and ideological sources on which it is based, its various manifestations, and the key issues that have shaped contemporary scholarly discourse about antisemitism.

A vigorous argument is currently taking place among institutions, organizations, and experts around the world about how antisemitism should be defined. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) defines Antisemitism as 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.

Antisemitism, as a cultural phenomenon, has historical roots in Hellenistic, Christian, and Muslim cultures, resulting in varying degrees of persecution against Jews over time. The Middle Ages saw the Christian church propagate hatred towards Jews, yet they managed to coexist and flourish alongside Christians. In the 19th century, antisemitism transformed into "modern antisemitism," a political and ideological movement that combined scientific, ultra-nationalistic, anti-Christian, and racist beliefs. Nazi antisemitism represents an extreme continuation of this historical hatred, becoming a central political motif during the rise of nationalism and racism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The "new antisemitism," which gained prominence in the late 20th century and continues to persist, employs traditional stereotypes and perceptions of Jews to target Israel as a representative of the Jewish collective. This form of antisemitism encompasses negative opinions, stereotypes, and hostile attitudes towards Jews, calling for restrictions, exclusion, and suppression. Anti-Israel sentiment focuses on social constructs that symbolize the State of Israel and Zionism, akin to how classical antisemitism targets false constructs of the Jewish people. 

Scholar Manfred Gerstenfeld identifies three main types of new antisemitism — each type exhibiting distinct characteristics and expressions.

A. Islamic fundamentalism

Muslim antisemitism is linked to concepts of holy war, global terrorist networks, and the pursuit of Muslim hegemony. Islamic fundamentalism is a combination of death cult, jihadist terrorism, and messianic fanaticism, with dangerous implications such as the intention to commit genocide and deny the Holocaust. The Arab Muslim world perpetuates classic antisemitic stereotypes, portraying Jews as merciless exploiters, devious, selfish, and evil, now accused of subverting Islam. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, according to radical Islamists, is seen as a religious struggle with profound danger.

B. Extreme Right and Neo-Nazism

 Extreme rightwing ideologies often espouse the belief that a nation's identity is tied to race, and only those of "pure blood" or the white race can be true citizens. Jews are seen as cosmopolitan and inherently dangerous to the nation's survival. These ideologies are anti-liberal, anti-multicultural, and rooted in notions of white power and supremacy. They often involve beliefs in a Zionist Occupation Government controlling the United States and denial of the Holocaust, with proponents adopting national socialist values and concepts from Nazi ideology. Additionally, the concept of the "great replacement" is embraced, asserting that non-white races are displacing the white race in their respective countries.

C. Extreme Left “Anti-Zionism” 

Anti-Zionism in the discourse of the "new left" emerged after Israel's victory in the Six-Day War, encompassing anti-colonialism, anti-capitalism, suspicion of US policy, and ecological arguments. The extreme hostility towards Israel often manifests as comparisons to criminal entities like Nazi Germany or apartheid South Africa, concealing antisemitism within anti-Zionist claims. The BDS movement, a leader in delegitimizing Israel, often includes antisemitic statements and receives support from extreme leftist organizations. The alliance between "green" Islamist organizations and "red" radical leftist organizations, driven by concepts hostile to Israel and the West, has enabled the Palestinian issue to remain prominent and connectable with other disenfranchised groups.