Antisemitism includes beliefs or behaviors hostile toward Jews just because they are Jewish. It may take the form of religious teachings that proclaim the inferiority of Jews, for instance, or political efforts to isolate, oppress, or otherwise injure them. It may also include prejudiced or stereotyped views about Jews.
There is a phenomenon known as “the new antisemitism,” manifesting itself as opposition to Zionism and criticism of the Israeli government. Since the 1990s much of what is purported to be criticism of Israel is in fact demonization of Jews. While supposedly disagreeing with Israeli policies, the new antisemitism stokes incitement of hatespeech and brutal violence against Jewish people in the United States, across Europe, and outright legitimizes murder of Jewish people anywhere in Israel.
Articles on antisemitism
Where the far-left and far-right meet: Horseshoe model
Antisemitism on college campuses
Examining accusations of apartheid in Israel
Classic examples of antisemitism
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion myth
Antisemitism from rightist groups
Defining Extremism: A Glossary of White Supremacist Terms, Movements and Philosophies ADL
Alt Right: A Primer on the New White Supremacy ADL
The KKK Ku Klux Klan in the United States ADL
Antisemitism from leftist groups
Jewish privilege, rhetoric versus reality
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Addressing Anti-Semitism from Jewish progressives
Persecuting Jews in the name of social justice
Understanding Critical Race Theory and antisemitism
Using Israel as an excuse for antisemitism
Examining accusations of apartheid in Israel
Accusing Jews or Israelis of pinkwashing is antisemitism.
What progressives need to know about anti-Zionism
Antisemitism in Arab nation
The Jewish Nakba – Arab ethnic cleansing of Jews across the middle east
Examples of antisemitism
What does one do when even the Anne Frank museum wants Jews hidden?
Responses to antisemitism
How to Criticize Israel Without Being Anti-Semitic
Building alliances based on mutual respect
The pressing need and opportunity for Jewish unity
Rising antisemitism prompts synagogues to enhance security
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial worked to build international consensus around a consensus definition of antisemitism
“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.
Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).
Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.
Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries.
Merrimack Valley Havurah 