Antisemitism dates back to ancient times. It can be different than other forms of racism based more on skin color, ethnicity or social class. Haters of Jews don’t necessarily consider them as physically inferior, although Nazis described them that way in order to justify their barbaric treatment of them.
Hatred of Jews is more likely based on resentment of their success and perceived influence. White supremacists in our country are convinced Jews think of themselves as superior and they believe Jews have plans to replace the “white race.” The chants of white nationalist marchers in Charlottesville in 2017, “Jews will not replace us,” effectively demonstrated this fear.
It’s in the Middle East where Jews are hated the most. Ever since the Jewish state of Israel was established, Arab nations have resented them and have tried numerous times to destroy them. The Oct. 7 attack was just the latest attempt in the war against Jews.
After the Holocaust, there was widespread support of Jewish people and acknowledgement of the suffering they had endured. Antisemitism was no doubt still present, but it was generally kept under wraps, and since there was less evidence of hate during that time, it was easy to become lulled into thinking it was dying out.
It’s not certain when hate crept back into the psyche of those in the U.S. who feel threatened by Jews, but it became more obvious around 2016. As history shows us, whenever there’s unrest and widespread intolerance, there follows a spike in hatred of Jews. We’ve learned the German people were gradually indoctrinated by Hitler to believe Jews were the enemy, and we criticize them harshly for being so willing to close their eyes to the horror in their midst. Now, we’re learning it’s possible for Americans to be indoctrinated, as well.
Jews make up only 2 percent of the U.S. population, yet they are the target of the majority of religious-based hate crimes. The main reasons for the rise are increased radicalism, flagrant intolerance and the explosion of hateful communication on social media.
Today, we have politicians frequently communicating ill will toward other individuals and groups on social media. The worst example: Presidential candidate Trump constantly communicates anger and hatred on his Truth Social platform with his racism and intolerance coming through loud and clear.
The attack on Israel brought wide-spread sympathy, but it soon changed, shifting instead to the plight of Palestinians. Israel quickly became the bad guy for striking back hard at Hamas, which is resulting in thousands of Palestinian deaths. It’s a horrible situation and now, much of the blame and hatred is directed at Israel. It puts us all in a difficult position of trying to decide what is the right way for the United States to help.
Thankfully, there were temporary truces allowing release of about half of the 240 hostages, but fears a cease-fire would help Hamas regroup were justified. Hamas refuses to release the rest of the hostages and Israel has resumed their attacks in Gaza. The cruelty of this war for the Palestinian people is heartbreaking, and fear for the hostages is agonizing.
We’re all affected by the human capacity to hate. Americans find themselves picking sides, some blaming Muslims for attacking Jews; others angry at Israel for killing Palestinians. In America, Jews are being attacked; threats are up nearly 400 percent. Muslims are being attacked, too, and it’s devastating when members of either group is harmed.
Palestinian sympathizers say Israel should stop fighting, but Israel believes they must defeat Hamas, or be attacked again. Palestinians are shattered by unimaginable suffering while the rest of the world is too slow helping them.
But Hamas started this war. They’re ultimately responsible for the suffering of Palestinians. Hamas slaughtered Jews, including 20 Americans, and viciously and brutally raped Jewish women and girls
Yet, once again Jews are the hated ones, even in America. White entitlement, combined with feelings of victim-hood, explains the haters perfectly. When white nationalists march through the streets with their disgusting chants, when they display their hatred while dressed in Nazi garb, make Heil Hitler salutes and play soldier in the woods with their AR-15s, they must be taken seriously.
Their hatred is every bit as evil and destructive as the hate of the Hamas killers.