A rising tide of antisemitism disturbs an already turbulent world

History is flashing warnings to the world.

Outbursts of antisemitism have often been harbingers of societies in deep trouble and omens that extremism and violence are imminent.

The global surge of anti-Semitism, aggravated by Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza following the brutal Hamas attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, should not be solely attributed to the recurring conflicts in the Middle East. It is equally indicative of the detrimental influences plaguing American and Western European societies, which are already grappling with mounting challenges to stability and democracy.

The Hamas attacks, which resulted in the killing of 1,400 individuals, predominantly civilians, can be described as a pogrom against Jews. These horrifying incidents have triggered a series of events that have instilled a sense of fear and insecurity among Jewish communities worldwide. Consequently, the Israeli government's response through air strikes and operations in Gaza, specifically targeting Hamas, has led to devastating consequences for Palestinian communities. Unfortunately, such scenes of carnage have the potential to erode international sympathy for Israel and, in certain instances, contribute to an atmosphere that may further exacerbate harassment faced by Jewish individuals.

Reuters

An anti-Jewish riot in Russias Dagestan region shows the risks of Putins balancing act on Hamas

In the United States, a climate of mounting apprehension prevails. Classes at Jewish day schools have been called off, synagogues are on lockdown, and social media platforms are teeming with virulent anti-Semitic sentiments. Consequently, the Jewish community, burdened by the enduring trauma of its history, finds itself forsaken, questioning the elusive notions of safety and security.

The rising level of hate is palpable. It is almost unfathomable to think that Jewish American students at Cornell University, located in rural New York, are living in such fear for their lives that they cannot even eat together on their Ivy League campus in 2023. Unfortunately, this is the reality after receiving death threats online. The tensions were already heightened when a Cornell professor expressed initial excitement over the Hamas attacks at a pro-Palestinian event, as he believed it shifted the balance of power. He later apologized for his choice of words. In response to the threats, law enforcement has increased patrols and Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, visited the campus to assure everyone that threats, hatred, and antisemitism will not be tolerated. However, a sense of fear continues to pervade Cornell, as expressed by Molly Goldstein, co-president of the Cornell Center for Jewish Living, who stated that Jewish students are incredibly terrified for their lives. This situation of alarming online threats at Cornell is just a part of the broader rise of antisemitism that has been exacerbated by the aftermath of the Gaza war. Many Jews are now questioning whether their safety can be guaranteed, not only in the United States but also in Israel, where the attacks shattered the illusion of security for the Jewish community. Furthermore, some pro-Palestinian protests at universities have crossed the line into antisemitism, leading Republicans and certain Democrats to warn that campuses are being influenced by far-left radicalism.

Elsewhere, in another incident, an antisemitic act occurred at a Beverly Hills residence belonging to a Holocaust survivor. The act involved defacing the property with graffiti containing the offensive message "F Jews." Additionally, instances of antisemitism have been reported in Europe, a concern which was previously criticized by US officials for not taking sufficient measures to address, even as the problem worsened within America itself. In a particularly alarming occurrence, a group of individuals stormed an airport in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region in Russia, upon the arrival of a flight from Israel. During this event, they chanted the unsettling phrase, "There is no place for child-killers in Dagestan." These incidents bear eerie resemblances to the disturbing events of the 1940s, a decade marked by widespread devastation and the loss of innocent lives, an era that has already been evoked in recent times due to Russia's aggressive actions against civilians in Ukraine.

President Joe Biden addresses the economy during a gathering at the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex on Monday, October 23, 2023. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Biden expresses concern over increasing antisemitism and takes action as administration responds to the issue.

Biden unveiled new measures to address antisemitism on college campuses. Senior officials emphasized the urgency of combating anti-Jewish hate, deeming it dangerous and unacceptable worldwide, including in the United States. John Kirby, the National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communications, expressed this sentiment on "CNN This Morning."

However, the ongoing events in the Middle East pose a challenge to efforts aimed at enhancing security to combat this issue. Ideally, criticism of Israel's military response would solely focus on its government, rather than leading to negative consequences for Jews globally - many of whom disapprove of the country's hardline government.

But in practice, antisemitism could grow more pervasive in the coming weeks.

A widening problem in the United States

Antisemitism in the United States has been increasingly driven by both far-right and far-left groups. The far-right has displayed their hatred through chants like "Jews will not replace us" in the Charlottesville march of 2017. Former President Donald Trump has also played a part in perpetuating antisemitic ideas by suggesting that American Jews are disloyal and should show more gratitude towards his pro-Israel policies. However, recent events in Israel and Gaza have revealed that antisemitism is also present among some far-left pro-Palestinian protesters who appear to support Hamas, a group classified as a terrorist organization by the US.

Studies have shown that antisemitism often escalates during crisis points in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, indicating that it is a latent force in US society that only requires a triggering event to surface. The Anti-Defamation League has reported a significant increase of 400% in antisemitic incidents in the US since October 7. Additionally, hate towards American Jews has been on the rise in recent years even during periods of relative calm in the Middle East, suggesting that internal factors, extreme rhetoric, and violence-driven hate are also contributing to the problem. In 2022, the ADL recorded 3,697 antisemitic incidents in the US, marking a 36% increase compared to the previous year and setting a new record.

The increasingly divided politics in Western nations, already struggling with extremism, makes it extremely difficult to handle the Israeli-Palestinian issue with nuance. The negative and inaccurate information spread on social media worsens the problem. Additionally, supporters of Israel or Palestinians sometimes fail to distinguish between the actions of Hamas, the Israeli government, and innocent civilians who have no control over these actions.

In recent weeks, Jews in the United States have faced threats and harassment. Adding to the trauma, a 6-year-old boy of Palestinian descent was fatally stabbed in Chicago, allegedly by his family's landlord. The Department of Justice is investigating this as a hate crime. This senseless killing serves as a reminder of the deep-seated animosities in the Middle East and emphasizes the immense human tragedy in the region. Israelis and Arabs often find themselves caught up in horrific events for which they bear no responsibility.

The history of the Middle East is a complex landscape intertwined with moral dilemmas.

The Israeli-Palestinian issue, with its deep-rooted historical, geographic, and political complexities, provides an opportunity for Western politicians to conveniently exploit certain aspects of the conflict to further their own political agendas. Every act of violence, every war, massacre, or conflict in the region inevitably paves the way for future turmoil.

The current domestic politics in the US and Europe reflect the reality of the conflict. In conservative media, those who support Palestinian rights and express concern for civilian casualties in Gaza are often falsely accused of supporting terrorists. Supporters of Israel have historically misrepresented any criticism of Israel as antisemitism. On the left, there are individuals who have recently called for an immediate ceasefire and seemingly questioned Israel's right to self-defense, disregarding the devastating civilian casualties.

Antisemitic threats often stem from the belief that all Jews bear responsibility for the perceived denial of Palestinian statehood or the aggressive settlement policies in the West Bank pursued by Israeli governments. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his dismay and concern regarding the situation at Cornell University, emphasizing the need to condemn all forms of hate. While acknowledging that reasonable people can have differing opinions on the Middle East conflict, Schumer emphasized that violence or threats of violence cross a red line.

Americans have come to the realization that their nation is susceptible to political unrest and animosity, even though such hostility was believed to have no relevance in a modern, democratic, developed country of the 21st century. This was evident when the United States encountered a violent assault on Congress instigated by unfounded allegations of election fraud. Likewise, antisemitism remains inescapable.

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, emphasized that the unfolding events in America, which many of us did not anticipate, serve as a reminder that similar incidents could occur here. Reflecting on the mob violence at an airport in Russia, where Jews were targeted, he emphasized that it is equally distressing to witness posts on general message boards, even from a student at Cornell University, advocating harm to Jews by suggesting throat-slitting.

History does not end. It merely slumbers, then repeats itself.