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.

Nearly half of young Americans view US relationship with Israel as a burden, survey finds

The findings follow a Pew Research Center survey earlier in April that found 70% of Americans aged 18 to 49 held a somewhat or very negative opinion of Israel.

APRIL 23, 2026|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

People take part in a protest and march gathering at Times Square to oppose the joint U.S.-Israel war on Iran in New York City on March 13, 2026.

Boy George, who will represent San Marino at the Eurovision song contest performs during the London Eurovision Party 2026 at Outernet London on April 19, 2026 in London, England.

Boy George speaks out against critics who condemned his pro-Israel stance

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna, with over 1,000 musicians calling for a boycott of the event in protest of Israel’s participation.

APRIL 23, 2026|ByHANNAH BROWN

A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest against the Iranian government held by supporters of the Iranian royal family in exile, who marched through central London past the Iranian embassy to the Israeli embassy, in London, Britain, March 8, 2026

UK Jews are under siege, and Iran faces no consequences - comment

A total of 25 people have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing. Eight of them have been charged, one convicted, and the rest remain under investigation.

APRIL 23, 2026|ByMICHAEL STARR

Phylisa Wisdom.

Mamdani office has no definition of antisemitism after dropping IHRA, czar confirms

When asked how the Mamdani administration defines antisemitism, MOCA executive director Phylisa Wisdom said: “Across city government, there is not a definition codified for any form of hate at all.”

APRIL 23, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

Peter Beinart’s ‘Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza’ wins PEN America award

Judges said the book “offers a model for writing a new story when inherited narratives no longer hold.” PEN America's CEO left in 2024 after the group published a report accusing Israel of genocide.

APRIL 23, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Peter Beinart attends the PEN America 62nd Annual Literary Awards at Town Hall on March 31, 2026 in New York City.

‘Dirty f***ing Jew:’ Thames Police arrest Slough man after assault on Orthodox Jew

The 48-year-old Slough man was arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated assault and racially or religiously aggravated public order, and has been in custody since Thursday evening.

APRIL 23, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

A 'Shomrim' private security car is seen driving past a synagogue in Stamford Hill, north London on October 13, 2023.

Dutch gov't ups Jewish security amid massive rise in antisemitic attacks

Since 2025, the Netherlands has had a security fund for Jewish schools, institutions, and events. For this, it structurally allocated €1.3 million per year.

APRIL 23, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Police officers stand outside a Jewish school following an explosion that caused minor damages, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, March 14, 2026.

Internal Israeli debate and the costs to Diaspora Jewry - opinion

Israel, like all sovereign states, acts in self-defense. The exercise of that force has generated, in some cases, backlash against Jewish communities far beyond Israel’s borders.

APRIL 23, 2026ByEHUD EIRAN

American Jews [Illustrative]

Failed car bomber released in October 7 deal gave video speech at Berkeley classroom

Jaabis was released in November 2023 as part of a ransom for 26 hostages captured by Gazans during the October 7 Massacre, according to the BBC.

APRIL 23, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

Israa al-Jaabis (L), a 32-year-old Palestinian woman who detonated a small bomb on October 11, 2015 on the highway leading from the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim to Jerusalem, arrives for her sentencing hearing at the District Court in Jerusalem on November 7, 2016.

UK police arrest two more in alleged arson plot targeting Jewish community sites

The planned target remains unknown, but the Met said that the objective was related to the Jewish community.

APRIL 23, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

The burnt wreckage of Hatzola ambulances as fire services continue to monitor the scene after they were set on fire overnight next to Machzike Hadath Synagogue, on March 23, 2026 in the Golders Green area of London, England.

Houston synagogue and Jewish day school close due to unspecified threats

The threats were aimed at reform synagogue Congregation Beth Israel and the Shlenker School in Houston, Texas.

APRIL 23, 2026ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA

The Shlenker School's website announced the school had closed for the day.

Estonian Holocaust memorial 'extensively damaged' by vandalism

The Ereda memorial in the Ida-Viru County was "extensively damaged," police told The Jerusalem Post, with the monument dented, several pieces broken off, and its fastenings bent.

APRIL 22, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

The damaged Holocaust memorial in Ereda, Ida-Viru County, Estonia, after being vandalized, April 2026.

The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas says Zionists ‘talk like Black people during slavery’

The comment appears in a 21-minute “uncut” edition of the web series SubwayTakes, in which host Kareem Rahma interviews famous and up-and-coming New Yorkers about their most controversial opinions.

APRIL 22, 2026ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA

The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas appears on SubwayTakes.

Alan Dershowitz quits Democratic Party, calling it ‘most anti-Israel party in US history’

The announcement formalized a political evolution for Dershowitz, who defended Trump during his first impeachment and has increasingly broken with Democrats over Israel in recent years.

APRIL 22, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Alan Dershowitz attends the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the 80th session of The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 26, 2025 in New York City.