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.

Spain is failing the West and weakening Europe's diplomatic hand - editorial

A NATO member that underfunds collective defense, obstructs allied operations, downgrades relations with Israel, and restores ties with Tehran is eroding Europe’s credibility.

APRIL 10, 2026|ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate outside Movistar Arena as Real Madrid face Maccabi Tel Aviv in a EuroLeague basketball game on January 8, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

A sign of a bank with a Swiss flag reflected on the window's building are pictured on March 20, 2009 in Geneva.

Judge says ‘No case, no ruling’ in Credit Suisse – Simon Wiesenthal Center settlement dispute

In the late 1990s, Holocaust victims sued Swiss banks, arguing that the banks and their predecessor institutions collaborated with the Nazis by refusing to return assets belonging to victims.

APRIL 9, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

A still from AZAPAC's launch video, during which its founder, Michael Rectenwald, called pro-Israel politicians "puppets" whose "strings are pulled by donors loyal to the modern nation state of Israel."

A new anti-Zionist PAC has endorsed candidates who believe Jews were behind 9/11

Founded last summer, AZAPAC has endorsed fringe candidates across the political spectrum, from both Republican and Democratic parties, as well as independents.

APRIL 9, 2026|ByJOSEPH STRAUSS/JTA

Don’t Feed the Lion.

Novel on antisemitism by Yonit Levi and Bianna Golodryga sells well, but New York Times ignores it

The novel follows three middle schoolers in Chicago and examines how they are affected when Theo’s idol, a soccer player, tweets an antisemitic comment.

APRIL 9, 2026|ByHANNAH BROWN

Chief rabbi calls for protection of mosques, churches and synagogues after attacks

“Just as we demand full protection for synagogues and for Jewish lives, so too we reject any harm to mosques, churches, and all houses of prayer...and all religious violence," Rabbi Bar wrote.

MARCH 30, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Rabbi Kalman Bar

Tony Blair rejects Gaza genocide charge, says Western leaders are failing to stop antisemitism

Tony Blair rejected claims that Israel’s war in Gaza amounts to genocide, warning that Western leaders are failing to confront the political climate fueling rising antisemitism.

MARCH 29, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Former British prime minister Tony Blair, September 18, 2024.

UK Greens delay ‘Zionism is racism’ vote after procedural chaos

A UK Green Party vote on a “Zionism is racism” motion was delayed after no-confidence motions consumed conference time, preventing debate on the controversial proposal.

MARCH 29, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Signs in support of the Green Party stand outside houses in the constituency of Gorton and Denton ahead of a parliamentary by-election, in Manchester, Britain, February 18, 2026.

When Jewish ambulances burn, no one is safe - opinion

Burning a Jewish ambulance is not protest. It is permission. Permission for the next target, the next escalation, the next line erased.

MARCH 29, 2026ByWILLIAM C. DAROFF

Multiple ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer ambulance service on fire in the Golders Green area of London, March 23 2026.

Burning ambulances and trust: A breaking point for UK Jews - opinion

Fortunately, there is a place that offers sanctuary for Jews, and many will be thinking very carefully about it and the freedom it offers.

MARCH 29, 2026ByNIGEL LITHMAN

Charred remains of ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish community organisation, which were set on fire in an incident that the police say is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026.

Why is the West ignoring Islamist expansion at home? - opinion

Distinguishing between religious freedom and ideological extremism is essential to preserving both democratic values and public safety.

MARCH 29, 2026BySALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY

A man holds Irish and Palestinian flags as people protest calling for governments around the world to stop arming Israel during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Dublin, Ireland, June 15, 2024

Wisconsin adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism in state law

Wisconsin Act 143, formally defines antisemitism based on the IHRA framework, including its 11 illustrative examples.

MARCH 29, 2026ByCOMBAT ANTISEMITISM MOVEMENT

A controversial pro-Palestinian mural in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, depicting a Jewish star turning into a swastika, put up by a Palestinian business owner on Sept. 14, 2024.

CAM weekly antisemitism report – Hatzola ambulances burned in London

The incident is linked to Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, an Iran-linked terror group also believed to be responsible for recent attacks on other Jewish institutions in Europe

MARCH 29, 2026ByCOMBAT ANTISEMITISM MOVEMENT

Summary of Events Over Last Week

Verbal intifada: How modern antisemitism is weaponized through words - opinion

From campuses to social media, antisemitic rhetoric is silencing Jews and normalizing exclusion through the weaponization of words.

MARCH 29, 2026ByCOOKIE SCHWAEBER-ISSAN

TENTS ARE pitched outside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, as students occupy parts of British campuses in support of Palestinians in Gaza, this week. Supporters of genocidal jihadist groups are spreading mayhem across the Western world, says the writer.

'The Road to October 7': The long centuries of hatred that led to Hamas’s attack - review

This review of The Road to October 7 follows an interview with its author published in the Magazine earlier this month.

MARCH 28, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER

Germans read an antisemitic tabloid on a billboard: 'The Jews are our misfortune.' That was in 1935. The Palestinian Authority still teaches hate and violence toward Jews today, the author writes.