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.

Openly antisemitic law student with prize-winning white nationalist essay has Jewish ancestry

Preston Damsky made headlines for writing an essay arguing for the revokation of voting writes for non-white people.

 Gainesville, Florida
 Demonstrators protest against the United States joining with Israel in attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, as Marines stand guard at a federal building in Los Angeles, California, US, June 22, 2025.

The cause of hatred: Backlash against Israel's survival against Iran - opinion

 Supporters of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action scuffle with police officers outside the High Court in London, Britain, July 4, 2025.

Palestine Action demonstrators defy UK proscription, protesting outside parliament hours after vote

 People hold flags and a banner that reads ‘Stop the genocide in Palestine’ and ‘All hail the struggle of the Palestinian people’ during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians, calling for a halt in arms trade and relations with Israel, in Madrid, in May 2025.PremiumPremium

The lie behind the chant: What ‘Free Palestine’ really means - opinion


'Death to the IDF' chant at Glastonbury proves the death of British moral clarity – opinion

Chanting “Death to the IDF” is not edgy or brave. It’s despicable. If Britain cannot say that clearly and without a proviso, then it has lost its moral compass.

 Revellers with Palestinian and other flags gather as Kneecap performs at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025.

Senior BBC staff told to 'step back' after broadcast of Bob Vylan's ‘Death to the IDF’ chant

Bob Vylan's act was one of seven rated “high risk” by the BBC in advance of the show.

 Guitarist and singer Bobby Vylan of the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan delivers a message in support of Palestinians during his performance at the Glastonbury music festival, in Pilton, Britain, June 28, 2025, in this still image from video obtained from social media

Violence in Melbourne: Attempted synagogue arson, Israeli-owned restaurant attacked

At the time of the attempted arson attack, 20 people were inside the synagogue. Protesters then went to Israeli chef Eyal Shani's restaurant and threw chairs and glassware at patrons.

  Members of the Synagogue recover items from the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 06, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

Trump criticized for using antisemitic 'Shylock' to describe bankers

"Think of that: No death tax. No estate tax. No going to the banks and borrowing from, in some cases, a fine banker - and in some cases, Shylocks and bad people,” Trump said.

US President Donald Trump sits inside the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, US, May 9, 2025.

'Jews buying Cyprus’: Left-wing leader’s remark sparks diplomatic storm

Government data cited by the newspaper show Israeli nationals are now the fourth-largest group of foreign real-estate buyers.

 Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus

University of California announces BDS ban across all campuses

This announcement comes after Trump’s administration warned that any institution that was involved with BDS would no longer be eligible for federal research grants. 

 PRO-PALESTINIAN students hold a walkout from classes to protest ‘one year of genocide’ on the people of Gaza, at the University of California, Irvine earlier this month.

Acting Columbia president Claire Shipman apologizes for texts suggesting removal of Jewish trustee

Columbia faced intense pressure from the federal government to address allegations of discrimination by some Jewish and Israeli students.

Claire Shipman testifies before the House Committee on Education & the Workforce at Rayburn House Office Building on April 17, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Thompson promotes Holocaust distortion - his lies unchallenged - opinion

Perković is a fanatic Croatian nationalist who is a great admirer of the Ustasha (ustaša), a notorious terrorist movement.

 Stage is being built for the Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson poised to break world record for largest paid concert in Zagreb, Croatia, July 2, 2025.

In Opposition to the Cynical Distortion of a Core Democratic Value

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper moves to proscribe the group Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000

 Palestine Action vandalized University of Cambridge

Leading by example: How NYC is shaping the fight against antisemitism - interview

"Keeping the Jewish community safe in NYC, and setting groundwork for the future, is the most important thing," said Rabbi Moshe Davis.

 Mayor Adams appointed a senior liaison in his Community Affairs Unit, Moshe Davis, as the first executive director of the office.

Israeli embassy in Denmark receives suspicious powder-filled envelope, local police probe

Police stated that they have arrived at the scene where the envelope was received and are investigating the incident.

Danish Police stand near the Israeli embassy at Norgesmindevej in Hellerup, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 3, 2025