The Alarming Resurgence of Antisemitism in America: Revealing the Threat Within
America- the home of the free and the brave, where religious freedom is finely written in The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, in recent years, this “freedom” has been met with retaliation by America's very own citizens. According to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Antisemitism, a deeply rooted prejudice and discrimination against Jewish people, has a long and complex history that spans across continents and centuries. While it has been a recurring issue in many parts of the world, the rise of antisemitism in the United States in recent years is a cause for concern. So what factors are contributing to the resurgence of antisemitism in America? What are the consequences of this trend, and what can be done to combat it?
History Behind Antisemitism
Antisemitism is not new to the United States. It has existed since the country's early days, with waves of anti-Jewish sentiments tied to immigration and economic tensions. According to Tim Wardle, professor of religion and chair of the religion department at Furman University in Greenville, SC, “A related strand of anti-semitism accuses the Jewish people of being behind world governments and financial systems, and so when things go south politically, the Jews were sometimes seen as scapegoats for these political or financial problems.” This derives from biblical times when the Roman empire appointed Jews as tax collectors. That was the beginning of what would become the concept that many antisemites have of Jews holding much power behind economic institutions.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were widespread prejudices and discrimination against Jewish immigrants, often fueled by stereotypes and misinformation as shared by PBS News. However, the post-World War II period saw a decline in overt antisemitism, largely attributed to the horrors of the Holocaust and the subsequent recognition of the need to combat bigotry in all its forms. Opposingly, according to PBS, antisemitic incidents have increased by 35 percent, from 2,271 in 2021 to 3,697 in 2022 in the United States.
Factors Contributing to the Rise of Antisemitism
White Supremacy, Extremism, and Social Media/Online Platforms: The digital age has provided a new platform for hate speech and bigotry to spread rapidly. White supremacist groups and far-right extremists often espouse antisemitic beliefs. Extremist groups like the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), Neo-Nazis, and individuals have exploited the internet to disseminate antisemitic propaganda, conspiracy theories, and hate-filled rhetoric. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and online forums have amplified their reach and influence, especially to the youth of America, instilling hatred at a vulnerable age.
Conspiracy Theories: Antisemitism has been closely tied to conspiracy theories throughout history. Recent years have seen a resurgence of conspiracy theories involving Jews, such as claims of Jewish control over financial institutions or global affairs. An example of a conspiracy theory would be, “…extremists depict Jewish people as an enemy force intent on subverting the government and replacing or enslaving white Christians,” according to Human Rights First. Moreover, in the 1920s, Jews were labeled as “Bolshevik” enemies by anti-Communists. In the 1930s, Jews were blamed for the Great Depression by fascists, and in the 1960s, segregationists blamed Jews for the American Civil Rights Movement. These baseless narratives have contributed to antisemitism's rise. Wardle adds, “Conspiracy theories are rampant today, and conspiracy theories often have at their center some ideas of political or financial institutions being out to get someone or a group of people. If Jews have sometimes been seen as having control of these institutions, then it isn’t too hard to see how antisemitic tropes could become part of a group’s messaging.”
Political Polarization: The United States has experienced increased political polarization, with extremist ideologies gaining traction on both the left and right. This polarization has, at times, fostered an environment where antisemitic rhetoric is tolerated or even encouraged. Especially on the far right, which are mostly made up of Christians. Unfortunately, many Christians have blamed Jews, throughout history, for their involvement in the death of Jesus. With this in mind, they have used this accusation as a “basis for persecuting, shunning, or making life difficult for Jews,” as Wardle states. Additionally, “…a good number of these conspiracies [stated above] are occurring among those who lean to the right politically, and you can see how Christian antisemitism could be part of the equation as well.”
Consequences of the Rise of Antisemitism
The resurgence of antisemitism in America has troubling consequences such as fear and intimidation amongst Jewish communities across the country. Jewish communities and individuals increasingly feel targeted, unsafe, and marginalized, which can lead to psychological and emotional distress. Not only that but hate and extremism threaten the democratic values upon which the United States was founded. Antisemitism, as a manifestation of hate, poses a danger to the principles of freedom and equality.
Vicky Selechnik, a student at NYU and of Israeli-Jewish nationality and religion shined a light on how antisemitism has affected her and her family. She explains, “Antisemitism has been an ongoing issue in the world that has hurt so many of my people throughout history. The Holocaust is proof of what antisemitism can lead to. Recently, I have even considered taking off my Star of David necklace in fear of being hate-crimed or harassed on the streets of New York.”
Selechnik is not the only one in the Jewish community in a constant state of fear. With news of burning synagogues, vandalization of Jewish monuments, and the verbalization of Jewish slurs, many Jews have resorted to concealing their religion and culture.
Combating Antisemitism
In order to prevent antisemitism, there must be a collective effort on all platforms and in every country. This can be done through proper education and awareness to counter antisemitic stereotypes and conspiracy theories. This should be integrated into school curricula and public discourse. Encouragement of the concept of equality and acceptance in schools will help mold the younger generation to stand against issues like antisemitism. The concept of equality can be strengthened by simply educating children about different cultures and religions, so that they have a better understanding of the people around them.
Additionally, there needs to be stronger hate crime laws in America, as well as social media accountability. People need to work with technology companies to monitor and combat hate speech on social media platforms and websites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Moreover, there needs to be elected officials that denounce antisemitism and extremist ideologies unequivocally and take steps to address these issues within their constituencies.
Conclusion
The rise of antisemitism in America is a troubling and complex issue that requires a major response not only from America, but from countries all over the world. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness through education and social media, and taking definitive action through government officials and laws, it is possible to combat this resurgence and work towards a more inclusive and accepting society that upholds the values of freedom and equality upon which the United States was founded. It is crucial that individuals, communities, and the government come together to confront antisemitism and all forms of hatred in order to build a better future for all.
