The Alarming Reemergence of Antisemitism

Sunday night, passengers experienced a frightening ordeal upon landing at the primary airport in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim Russian republic. They were met with a chaotic scene as a crowd, who had forcefully entered the airport terminal and tarmac, surrounded their plane upon hearing news of an incoming flight from Tel Aviv.

Frida Ghitis

CNN

A few of the rioters carried Palestinian flags, underscoring the obvious link between the attack and the war between Israel and Hamas. But the mobs target was Jews.

In horrifying scenes, a violent crowd, with some individuals shouting "Allahu akbar," surrounded and intimidated passengers, demanding that they prove they were not Jewish. They even searched cars outside the terminal in search of Jews. One passenger informed the local media that he was allowed to pass after presenting his Russian passport and being told that they were not targeting non-Jews on that day.

This alarming incident, in a country known for the origin of the term "pogrom" (referring to organized massacres of Jews in the 19th and early 20th centuries), adds to the current surge of global antisemitism. This surge emerged immediately after thousands of Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel on October 7 and began violently targeting and killing Jews in a gruesome manner. Their attacks resulted in the death of at least 1,400 men, women, and children of various ages, while also taking hundreds of individuals hostage in Gaza.

The surge in antisemitism became significantly more apparent as Israel initiated an operation to dislodge Hamas, the Islamist organization governing Gaza, in a widespread military campaign that has inflicted immense hardship on the Palestinians caught between Hamas fighterspositioned in underground tunnels beneath civilians and the Israeli military, as well as the closed-off Gaza border with Egypt, which remained inaccessible until Wednesday when a limited number of individuals were permitted to pass through.

Crowds storm the tarmac at Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) in the southern Russian Republic of Dagestan on Sunday, following the arrival of a flight from Tel Aviv.

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The distressing scenes in Gaza have ignited fresh protests, with a mix of demands for a ceasefire and chants rejecting Israel's existence with slogans like "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." These demonstrations emerged shortly after news of the attack circulated, even as Israel continued to combat Hamas militants on its own borders.

As Israel's military response escalated, global attention appeared to diminish the actions of Hamas. While the United Nations General Assembly approved a plea for a ceasefire, it declined to condemn Hamas through a separate motion.

The current historical moment has created the perfect conditions for an increase in antisemitism. Recent events have emboldened far-right groups, who openly display their antisemitism, as well as certain factions of the left, who mask their antisemitism with lofty language about protecting marginalized groups and distorted interpretations of history.

FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the severity of this threat during a Senate hearing, stating that the Jewish community is targeted by a wide range of terrorists, including both domestic extremists and foreign terrorist organizations. He described the situation as reaching historic levels.

An Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City on October 9, 2023, prompted Palestinians to evacuate the area. On that day, Israel was engaged in continued warfare with Hamas fighters. In response to the surprise attack by the Palestinian militants, Israel concentrated vast numbers of troops and heavy armor around the Gaza Strip, determined to deliver a powerful blow. (Photo by Mahmud HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

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Universities are now breeding grounds for antisemitism, leaving Jewish students feeling unsafe. A disturbing message posted on a Cornell University message board by a student who claimed they would bring an assault rifle to campus and target Jewish individuals highlights this issue. It is important to note that Cornell University is an esteemed Ivy League institution located in New York. Authorities have taken action and arrested a Cornell student for making threats to harm Jewish students.

Similarly, at The Cooper Union, which is in close proximity, Jewish students found themselves taking refuge in the library after being harassed by anti-Israel protesters. As a larger group of pro-Palestinian students protested, some Jewish students silently watched while others faced intimidation as anti-Israel demonstrators aggressively pounded on the doors. Unfortunately, pro-Palestinian protests have been marred by the use of antisemitic slogans and, in some cases, have escalated into violent encounters.

American Jews are increasingly acquainted with right-wing antisemitism, which continues to thrive. Jews in the US and other places are currently confronting various threats and assaults originating from both the left and the right. Certain neo-Nazi organizations are even profiting from this crisis. However, what has truly saddened many is the response from former ideological allies who have now turned their backs on them.

Dismantling the "decolonization narrative" used by scholars to criticize Israel, historian Simon Sebag Montefiore bitterly questioned the support of leftist intellectuals for Stalin and the excuse made by aristocratic sympathizers and peace activists for Hitler. He now sees a similar pattern among Hamas apologists and those who deny its atrocities, disregarding overwhelming evidence.

This phenomenon, observed globally from both the left and the right, has manifested in acts of antisemitism in Austria, South Africa, Nicaragua, Germany, Venezuela, and other places. In Milan, an anti-Israel protester openly called for the killing of Jews by opening the borders. Similarly, during an anti-Israel demonstration in Hamburg, Germany, a teenager shouted in support of Hitler and the gassing of Jews.

Amidst the widespread occurrence of antisemitism, it is important to recognize that there are millions of people globally who find this phenomenon entirely unacceptable. Following a synagogue being firebombed in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his outrage, joining numerous political leaders from countries such as Australia and Argentina in denouncing such attacks. In the United States, the Biden administration has taken a prominent role in combatting antisemitism, vowing to take decisive measures. Additionally, Republican presidential candidates have condemned antisemitic incidents on college campuses as well.

To those who might have mistakenly thought pogroms were a relic of the past, this moment has been a jarring encounter with reality.

Frida Ghitis

As always, these statements have a significant impact. It is crucial for influential leaders to emphasize that criticism of Israel often serves as a disguise for antisemitic rhetoric and even worse. Additionally, it is high time to examine educational materials that manipulate historical events, such as the inappropriate comparison between the experiences of Black Americans and those in the Middle East. This manipulation often leads progressive students to become supporters of the oldest form of hatred.

Undoubtedly, there is ample room for legitimate debate and disagreement regarding Israel's actions. (The actions of Hamas, however, are inexcusable.) However, it is undeniable that many individuals who identify as "anti-Zionist" instead of antisemitic are simply using a different term for a hatred that has persisted for thousands of years.

For those who may have mistakenly believed that pogroms were a thing of the past, this moment serves as a harsh awakening. It is not solely the clash between Hamas and Israel that is at stake.

This crisis occurs amidst a tense geopolitical period, where the world is dividing into competing factions, and authoritarian governments like Russia and China see this conflict as an opportunity to escalate tensions against the United States and its allies.

That's why it was puzzling that the main airport in Dagestan, a Muslim-majority region in Russia and previously the residence of the Boston Marathon bombers, in the Caucasus region where Moscow has battled against terrorism, lacked proper security. It was not unexpected that Russian President Vladimir Putin's response was to point fingers at the United States and Ukraine for the airport attack. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for free.

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Washington strongly denounced the attack and urged Russia to ensure the protection of its Jewish population. Rabbi Alexander Boroa, who leads the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, expressed concern that the Gaza conflict has resulted in blatant aggression towards Russian Jews, with local authorities tolerating threats against them and Israelis.

In China, where the government tightly controls social media, it has demonstrated minimal efforts to curb the widespread rise of antisemitism. A popular post boldly declares, "Hitler truly understood the Jews," while Chinese state media contributes to the proliferation of conspiracy theories and disinformation about Jewish people.

Amid concerns for their safety and distrust towards others, Jews worldwide are closely monitoring the statements and behaviors of social and political figures.

In Dagestan, following the assault, the local authorities promptly denounced the incident, and security forces were deployed via helicopters to thwart a potential tragedy.

Antisemitism, a form of hatred, has not evolved significantly over time. Throughout history, the animosity displayed by ordinary individuals has been manipulated and amplified by influential figures for their own political gain. On several occasions, this manipulation has resulted in unforeseen consequences beyond their reach.