Antisemitism is one of the world’s oldest and most persistent hatreds. It targets Jewish people not for what they do, but for who they are—through dehumanizing stereotypes, conspiracy myths, discriminatory exclusion, and, at its worst, violence. Across centuries, antisemitism has repeatedly reinvented itself to fit the anxieties of each era: sometimes framed as a religious accusation, sometimes as a racial ideology, sometimes as an economic scapegoat story, and sometimes as a political campaign to isolate Jews from equal participation in society.
Today, this threat is again rising in visibility and intensity. Social media and encrypted platforms allow classic antisemitic tropes to spread faster, farther, and with less accountability, while extremist movements from the far right to far-left anti-Zionist factions to Islamist militants—use Jews as a convenient symbol onto which they project blame for complex events. The result is not abstract: Jewish communities increasingly face harassment, intimidation, vandalism of cemeteries and institutions, and attacks on synagogues and schools. This climate pressures many Jews to hide visible Jewish identity, avoid public spaces, or self-censor—an alarming indicator of democratic backsliding, because a society that cannot protect its minorities cannot credibly claim to protect anyone’s rights.
Israel, as the nation-state of the Jewish people and the world’s only Jewish-majority democracy, sits at the center of this struggle. Criticism of any government—including Israel’s—is legitimate in democratic discourse. The danger emerges when “criticism” becomes a pretext to deny Jews the rights granted to every other people: the right to self-determination, equal treatment, and basic security. Antisemitism often disguises itself today as a moral language campaign that singles out Israel for eliminationist standards, demonizes Jews collectively through Israel-related conspiracies, or holds Jewish communities worldwide responsible for the actions of a foreign state. This modern, politicalized form of antisemitism is not new in essence; it is an updated vehicle for the same ancient hatred.
Understanding antisemitism is essential for anyone committed to justice, pluralism, and democracy. The most effective response begins with clarity: recognizing antisemitic motifs when they appear, rejecting double standards applied only to Jews, and refusing to normalize incitement—even when it arrives wrapped in fashionable slogans. Education matters, but so do civic courage and institutional responsibility: schools, workplaces, media, tech platforms, and governments all have roles to play in enforcing fair standards, protecting targeted communities, and ensuring that free speech is not twisted into permission for harassment or threats.
This resource will explain the roots of antisemitism, identify its modern expressions, and offer practical ways to respond—through accurate information, moral consistency, and solidarity with Jewish communities. The goal is simple and urgent: expose the lies, reduce the space in which hate thrives, and strengthen a future in which Jews can live openly and safely as equal citizens everywhere.