Antisemitism

Antisemitism is defined as hostility and prejudice toward Jews as well as taking discriminatory action towards Jewish people. Some consider antisemitism to be a form of racism.

The word antisemitism finds its roots in the German word antisemitisch, first used in 1860 by Austrian Jewish scholar  Moritz Steinschneider, in his work regarding false ideas of "Semitic races" in comparison to "Aryan races." However, the discriminatory ideas and actions towards Jews have existed since long before the term was coined.

Early incidents of antisemitism and anti-Jewish persecution include the Edict of Expulsion from England in 1290, the persecution of Jews across Europe during the Black Death from 2348 - 1351, and the Spanish Inquisition and expulsion from Spain in 1492.

The 20th century saw both the Holocaust, the genocide of European Jews, and the expulsion of Jews from countries across the Middle East, leading to the displacement of approximately 850,000 Mizrahi Jews.

In recent years both Europe and the US have seen a steady increase in antisemitic incidents, and 90% of Jews in the European Union have said that they feel this is a serious problem.

Does apathy toward antisemitism pave the way to Jewish assimilation? - opinion

My task as a journalist is to raise and discuss questions that Jews should care about, and I believe that the subject of assimilation is on the mind of a large segment of Israel’s population.

 French Jew Alfred Dreyfus is stripped of his rank on January 13, 1895, in this illustrative depiction.Premium
DA Ministry Chikli has repeatedly called on Belgian Jews to leave their country. Here, a protester holds a placard that reads 'Don’t touch my Jew,' during a march against antisemitism, part of national protests called for by the Belgian League Against Antisemitism, in Brussels in December 2023.

'It felt like October 7': How antisemitism became normalized in Belgium

 A view shows planes of Red Wings airlines at the airport in Makhachkala in the region of Dagestan, Russia October 31, 2023.

Russia convicts dozens for anti-Israel riots at Dagestan airport two years ago

 A sign at an entrance to the Free University in Berlin, Nov. 13, 2023.

Jewish student can take Berlin university to trial over failure to combat antisemitism, judge rules


Nigerian curriculum fosters peace but perpetuates harmful Jewish stereotypes, IMPACT-se finds

Textbook references to Jewish people, history, and Israel vary in tone and consistency, the study finds.

 Nigerian school children.

'Yahud' should be translated as Jews, not Israelis, experts tell 'Post' in light of BBC inquiry

The BBC stated there were no issues with translating Arab word Yahud as "Jews," "Israel," or “Israeli forces,” despite criticism from Arabic CAMERA earlier in 2025.

A pedestrian walks past a BBC logo at Broadcasting House in central London

'Someone tried to murder them': French Rabbi's house 'completely destroyed' in arson attack

While authorities continue to call it an arson attack, "no one wants to call it antisemitic," their daughter, Sarah Perets Lahiani, said.

 The front of the Rabbi's house after the arson attack.

'Dirty Jew': French rabbi attacked with glass bottle by fifth time antisemitic offender

The suspect is well-known to the justice system, and is not a first offender: "Since September, this is his fifth antisemitic attack targeting a rabbi."

 People attend a demonstration against anti-Semitism at the Place de la Bastille,  in Paris, France, June 20, 2024.

Antisemitism envoy post remains unfilled six months into Trump’s term

The US Senate has yet to confirm the antisemitism envoy, as the Trump administration warns of a global rise in Jew-hatred.

 Donald Trump and Yehuda Kaploun light a candle during an Oct. 7 remembrance event at the Trump National Doral Golf Club in Doral, Florida on Oct. 07, 2024

US Republicans grill university leaders in latest House antisemitism hearing

Many of the reps. echoed President Donald Trump's recent attacks on universities, and questioned whether the presidents were doing enough to protect Jewish students.

 Demonstrators in support of Gaza raise red hands behind Rabbi Mark Goldfeder, CEO of National Jewish Advocacy Center, a witness at the House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on "Antisemitism on College Campuses", on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 15, 2024.

WATCH: Suspect in deadly Boulder antisemitic attack faces 184 charges, federal hate crimes

Colorado shooter Mohamed Soliman's indictment now lists a total of 184 counts. He has also been federally indicted on 12 hate crime charges.

 Suspect in deadly Boulder antisemitic attack faces 184 charges, federal hate crimes July 15, 2025

Anti-Zionism is not all theoretical - they are violent by nature - opinion

Anti-Zionism is a theory seeking destructive action and can potentially submerge more than just the Jews.

 People hold placards and flags during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, ahead of the October 7 attack anniversary, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Dublin, Ireland October 5, 2024.

'Selective outrage': Jewish orgs. slam Irish law criminalizing West Bank imports

Jewish organizations criticized the proposed Irish law criminalizing imports from the West Bank during a hearing in the Irish Parliament.

PROTESTERS CALL on the Irish government to impose sanctions on Israel, in Dublin, last month. Over the years, Ireland has taken a more anti-Israel position than most European or Western nations, states the writer.

One in six antisemitic incidents in Toronto schools are approved or started by teacher

A shocking report commissioned by the Canadian government reveals that nearly one in six antisemitic incidents in Ontario schools are linked to teachers or school-sanctioned activities.

 View of the Toronto District School Board.

UK should recognize Judaism as ethnicity as well as religion, Board of Deputies says

The BoD's new commision on antisemitism, released on Tuesday, explores barriers Jews face in the workplace, the arts, education and even in the health service.

 The Board of Deputies has launched a groundbreaking Commission on Antisemitism to be chaired by Lord John Mann and Penny Mordaunt.