Antisemitism

Antisemitism is defined as hostility and prejudice toward Jews as well as taking discriminatory action towards Jewish people. Some consider antisemitism to be a form of racism.

The word antisemitism finds its roots in the German word antisemitisch, first used in 1860 by Austrian Jewish scholar Moritz Steinschneider, in his work regarding false ideas of "Semitic races" in comparison to "Aryan races." However, the discriminatory ideas and actions towards Jews have existed since long before the term was coined.

Early incidents of antisemitism and anti-Jewish persecution include the Edict of Expulsion from England in 1290, the persecution of Jews across Europe during the Black Death from 2348 - 1351, and the Spanish Inquisition and expulsion from Spain in 1492.

The 20th century saw both the Holocaust, the genocide of European Jews, and the expulsion of Jews from countries across the Middle East, leading to the displacement of approximately 850,000 Mizrahi Jews.

In recent years both Europe and the US have seen a steady increase in antisemitic incidents, and 90% of Jews in the European Union have said that they feel this is a serious problem.

US-Israel alliance pushed toward a bitter Democratic split over Gaza war and Netanyahu

Support for Israel among Democratic voters has plummeted, candidates critical of Israel are winning Democratic primaries, and even moderate lawmakers are increasingly willing to challenge US support.

JULY 29, 2026|ByREUTERS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials on the day of the funeral service for late US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC,July 28, 2026.

Local residents, both Jewish and non-jewish visit the inundated flower memorial next to Bondi Pavilion to pay their respects at Bondi Beach on December 16, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

Deadliest year in decades as antisemitism becomes ‘new normal’ in West, Jewsish watchdog finds

Jewish communities across the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Argentina reported rising violence and online abuse, as the J7 urged governments to act before further attacks.

JULY 29, 2026|ByALEX CARSON

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani makes an announcement at a food distribution center in Brooklyn on July 27, 2026 in New York City.

Jewish legal groups protest absence of Jews from Mamdani advisory panel

Jewish legal groups challenged Mamdani over a judicial panel with no Jewish members and the rejection of retired judge John Leventhal. Mamdani denied religious bias.

JULY 29, 2026|ByNEW YORK JEWISH WEEK STAFF/JTA

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a banner during a protest against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship in the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece, June 12, 2025.

How global elites weaponize anti-Israel hostility to conceal misconduct and crime - opinion

For months, the global public was led to believe that Khan’s aggressive pursuit of arrest warrants against Israeli leadership was a principled stance on human rights.

JULY 28, 2026|ByTINA GHAZIMORAD

Attacker yells 'Allahu Akbar,' stabs two in potential Manhattan antisemitic hate crime

"The NYPD’s initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. They are also evaluating these stabbings as potential hate crimes," Mayor Mamdani explained.

JULY 24, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS

The Lincoln Square Synagogue at 200 Amsterdam Avenue on the corner of West 69th Street in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, was built in 1970 and designed by Hausman & Rosenberg.

US agency drops bid to force Penn to provide list of Jewish employees in antisemitism probe

Withdrawing the subpoena does not mean the commission has dropped its broader investigation into Penn, and the agency could still take legal action against the school.

JULY 24, 2026ByREUTERS

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill testifies before a House Education and The Workforce Committee hearing titled "Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 5, 2023.

Debate erupts in Rotterdam over Israeli ambassador's planned speech at Holocaust memorial event

On July 30, Ambassador Vapni is set to speak at Loods 24, the site of a warehouse from which 6,790 Rotterdam Jews were deported to concentration and extermination camps in 1942.

JULY 23, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Newly elected mayor of Rotterdam Carola Schouten attends her swearing-in ceremony at the City Hall of Rotterdam on October 10, 2024.

Will Chabad lead American Jewry? - opinion

Zohran Mamdani’s election as the mayor of New York City is the final nail in the coffin containing the deceased body of Jewish power in American politics.

JULY 23, 2026ByLEV STESIN

Thousands of Shluchim pose for a “class picture” outside Chabad World Headquarters

British Jews feel abandoned, no longer trust UK institutions on antisemitism, new report reveals

The report was compiled by Professor Shani Orgad at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) between December 2025 and March 2026, across six focus groups.

JULY 23, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

PEOPLE ATTEND a vigil organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism and Chabad UK to honour victims of the Bondi attack in Sydney and mark the second night of Hanukkah, in London, Britain, December 15, 2025.

When Arabs lose in the World Cup, the Jew is summoned as the hidden hand - opinion

The lie about one soccer referee exposed how deeply antisemitic conspiracy theories remain embedded in Arab discourse

JULY 23, 2026ByDALIA ZIADA

Mohamed Salah and teammates of Egypt complain to referee Francois Letexier during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on July 7.

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