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.

Belgium’s only Jewish MP accused of ‘split loyalty’ after seeking US advice on circumcision ban

“You must make a legal provision to allow Jewish religious mohels to perform their duties here in Belgium. It’s done in all civilized countries as legal procedure,” the US Ambassador to Belgium wrote.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

Michael Freilich.

A photo shows a flag of the pro-Palestine organization 'Samidoun' during a "in solidarity with Gaza" demonstration in Duisburg, western Germany, on October 9, 2023.

Terror-linked Samidoun actively promoting terror, armed resistance in Sweden

The NGO, which referred to the October 7 attacks as a "great revolutionary event," is designated as a terrorist entity by Israel, Germany, the US, and Canada.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

The Midtown Manhattan skyline of New York City is seen as ice floats on the Hudson River on January 28, 2026.

New York UN School ignored Jewish teacher's antisemitism complaints, investigated her instead

Nadine Sébag filed a complaint against the UNIS, stating that administrators and senior leadership were fully aware of the harassment and did nothing to prevent it.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

Illustrative

International federation votes against expelling Israeli social workers' union

The International Federation of Social Workers voted to keep the Israeli Union of Social Workers after weeks of debate, rejecting a motion to expel the group amid opposition from Jewish organizations

FEBRUARY 19, 2026|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Ex-Oxfam UK CEO sues charity, says it disproportionately focused on Gaza, pushed 'genocide' label

Former Oxfam UK CEO Halima Begum is taking the charity to an employment tribunal, alleging antisemitism, racism, and pressure to label the Gaza war a genocide without evidence.

FEBRUARY 14, 2026BySAM HALPERN

A sign is seen above a branch of Oxfam, in London, Britain February 12, 2018.

Olympics committee defends sale of T-shirt commemorating 1936 Nazi-era Games

Jewish organizations condemned the IOC after a 1936 Berlin Olympics T-shirt sold out online, saying the Games were used to legitimize Hitler’s regime.

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA

Screenshot of T-shirt commemorating 1936 Nazi-era Games via WebArchive, Shop.Olympics.com.

'We don't always agree with what she says': UN Chief Guterres distances himself from Albanese

The Secretary General's spokesperson explained that his team "doesn't agree with much of what she says, and wouldn't use the language that she uses to describe the situation in the region."

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Antonio Guterres smiles while speaking with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer inside 10 Downing Street in central London, Britain, January 16, 2026.

From Der Judenstaat to modern Israel: Herzl’s vision in today’s world - opinion

Over 100 years after Herzl’s Der Judenstaat, Israel faces global antisemitism, internal divisions, and the ongoing fight for its survival.

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByBRENDA KATTEN

Supporting a ‘Free Palestine’ as part of a ‘Stop Bombing Iran’ protest following the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, near the US Embassy in London, June 23, 2025.

Times Square billboard targets PA 'pay-for-slay' policy

A billboard in New York’s Times Square spotlights the Palestinian Authority's pay-for-slay policy as Abbas advances a draft constitution for a future Palestinian state.

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Times Square billboard bringing awareness to the Palestinian Authority's 'Pay for Slay' policy

ADL urged Mamdani to disavow ‘Hot Girls 4 Zohran’ co-founder as Brooklyn hire draws fire

The ADL claimed that Kaif Gilani, a co-founder of Hot Girls 4 Zohran, had a history of sharing antisemitic content, pro-Hamas rhetoric online, and mocking Israeli victims of terror.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces the appointment of Christine Clarke as chair and commissioner for the New York City Commission on Human Rights at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens in New York City, New York

Three men jailed in UK over Islamic State-inspired plot to kill hundreds of Jews

Walid Saadaoui, Bilel Saadaoui, and Amar Hussein were arrested and jailed for involvement in and knowledge of a terror plot to target the UK’s Jewish population.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ

Walid Saadaoui, Bilel Saadaoui, and Amar Hussein were arrested and jailed for involvement in and knowledge of a terror plot to target the UK’s Jewish population.

Macron calls for stronger measures against antisemitism in France at Ilan Halimi ceremony

Macron held a tree-planting ceremony to commemorate 20 years since the death of Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old Jewish man who died after being kidnapped and held captive for 24 days.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the murder of Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old French Jew who was tortured and murdered in 2006, at The Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France, February 13, 2026.

President Isaac Herzog brings Israel’s embrace to Australian Jews as protests rage outside

DIASPORA AFFAIRS: Despite protests, Herzog’s trip to Australia underscored Israel's solidarity with the Jewish community following the Bondi Beach massacre.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByHERB KEINON

'We are one big family, and when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain.’ President Isaac Herzog used his trip to Australia to act as Israel’s comforter-in-chief for the stricken community after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December.

Ireland commits to Israel fixtures despite calling for their expulsion

Ireland and Israel will face each other in September and November 2026, home and away. The FAI had requested in November 2025 that Israel be expelled from UEFA competitions.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByREUTERS

Barnot Toth of Hungary is challenged by Jack Taylor of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at on September 06, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland.