Why Is There a Surge in Antisemitism?

            I sometimes wonder if Americans and citizens of the world are growing more stupid as time passes. World War II was fought to end socialism and swore that hate crimes would end. Yet, attacks on Jews are increasing since Palestinians started lobbing missiles into Israel.

            Jason Breslow at National Public Radio (NPR) gave several examples of attacks on Jews. “In Skokie, Ill., it was a shattered window at a synagogue. In Bal Harbour, Fla., it was four men yelling, ‘Die Jew,’ at a man in a skullcap, then threatening to rape his wife and daughter. And in Midtown Manhattan, it was a group of people attacking a Jewish man in the middle of the street in broad daylight.” He continued by saying that there was “a wave of antisemitic attacks” that have “broken out in communities over the last two weeks” from California to New York. 

            According to Mya Jaradat, another attack took place at a synagogue in Salt Lake City in mid-May. Rabbis Benny and Avremi Zippel left their “synagogue at midnight on May 15 after making final preparations for Shavuot, when Jews celebrate receiving the Torah.” When “a worker arrived the next morning,” he/she found “a swastika etched on the glass door.” 

            It was only natural for Rabbi Benny Zippel to feel “violated” when he saw the vandalism. He commented, “Hatred, antisemitism, bigotry are alive and stronger than ever.” It is sad to know that this attack was not an isolated event, but “just one incident among a reported surge of antisemitic hate crimes” that have popped up in the month after the violence in Israel erupted. Jaradat wrote the following statement.

From May 10 to 23, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization founded to combat hate, received 222 reports of violence against Jews, a 75% increase compared to the preceding two weeks, according to Seth Brysk, the organization’s Central Pacific regional director.

This recent uptick in attacks on Jews has revived ongoing debates about how antisemitism is defined, what gives rise to anti-Jewish sentiment and – most importantly – how it can be eradicated.

Experts on Judaism and hate believe there needs to be more education around antisemitism and more leaders willing to speak out against xenophobia and hate crimes. In America, we also need to shore up civil society so that those who might gravitate towards extremist movements have somewhere more positive to take that energy, they say.

“We need to think outside of the box,” said Kenneth Stern, director of Bard College’s Center for the Study of Hate.

            Jaradat continued by explaining that a disagreement exists among members of the Jewish community for the definition of antisemitism. “Most of the debate centers around whether or not criticism of Israel should be seen as inherently problematic.” However, “There are clear things everyone can agree on,” said Stern.

“When somebody picks out a Jewish target – whether they hate Jews or because they’re holding Jews responsible for the action of Israel – it’s clearly antisemitism.”

Whenever an individual is held “responsible for a collective,” it’s fair to say there’s antisemitism or racism involved, he added.

It’s less clear how to respond to or think about statements against Israel or Zionism, Stern and other experts say.

            There are questions about how to fight antisemitism. According to Jaradat, there are people “who track violence against the Jewish community agree the Palestinian movement is not in and of itself antisemitic and should not be blamed for recent attacks.”

“People are looking for excuses to share the feelings that they have inside of them,” Rabbi Benny Zippel said.

In general, both antisemitism and hate crimes have been on the rise in the U.S. since 2016. The climb began around the time President Donald Trump was elected – there was a dramatic spike in hate crimes on the day after the election – and continued throughout his tenure.

The surge in antisemitic incidents only accelerated in 2017, according to the Anti-Defamation League. By 2019, hate crimes had reached their highest levels in more than a decade, The Associated Press reported last year.

            I think that it is interesting that Trump is being blamed for the increase in antisemitism. He has a Jewish son-in-law, a daughter who converted to Judaism, and grandchildren who are Jewish. He supported Israel better than any previous president or Biden. He even did what numerous previous presidents promised to do – move the Embassy to Jerusalem. Trump was not antisemitic even though he limited migration.

“Antisemitism thrives best historically when people are given ammunition to act on an impulse to see an ‘us’ and a ‘them,’” Stern said.

He and other experts believe that growing interest in populism and conspiracy theories also contributed to the problem.

“Antisemitism is the granddaddy of them all,” Stern said, referring to conspiracy theories. “Even if you don’t start there, you might end up there.”

            The solution to the rising antisemitism may require new organizations. However, Stern said, “The ability to beat back some of these other expressions of hate have to do with how strong our democratic institutions are” – noting that hatred grows when democracy falters.

            Rabb Zippel expressed his belief that hate crimes and political division are “another indicator of a failed society.” However, he keeps looking for a silver lining.