How Prevalent Is Anti-Semitism Across The World?

When we think about anti-Semitism, we tend to think about wartime Germany, however recent events have made it quite clear that hatred of the Jewish community is still alive and well in the world today. From Europe to the USA, the number of incidents across the globe have only gone to show how this ancient prejudice still prevails in certain circles, and now the 21^st century is seeing these old ideologies fusing with new ideas that could be even more dangerous.

With growing uncertainty in the global economic situation paired with an undue emphasis on national identity and race, the signs are now pointing towards anti-Semitism now being one of the outlets that certain people are finding to express their unrest and dissatisfaction with the world around them.

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

In recent times, anti-Semitism in the west has centered around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has spiked and ebbed in line with the violence that has broken out on both sides. However, since the Gaza war in 2014, incidents against Jews have stayed at a high level, and this is starting to normalize attacks on the Jewish community.

In France, an increase of 74% was reported in 2018 in violent acts against Jews, with over 500 events reported. One was a serious as a murder, when a Holocaust survivor was killed in her very own home. In Germany too, there were 62 violent anti-Jewish attacks – an increase of 60% over the year before.

The political far right has now had a boost throughout Europe due to fears about migration and economic uncertainty, so it comes as little surprise that around 90% of Jews now feel that hatred towards them has increased in their home country over the past 5 years.

President Trump Courting White Nationalists

Even the president of the United States seems to covertly support an anti-Semitic agenda. He was quoted as calling white nationalists “some very fine people” while they were marching in a style not dissimilar to that of the Ku Klux Klan, giving Nazi salutes and chanting anti-Semitic slogans. Even more worryingly, during his presidential campaign, one of his Twitter posts attacking his rival Hillary Clinton included a pile of cash and a Star of David along with her picture. Not content with that, Trump has continued to boast of his close friendship with Benjamin Netanyahu, even moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem rather than helping with arranging a Palestinian settlement agreement.

A Question of Race

Recent data, especially from Germany, has suggested that anti-Semitism today is primarily perpetrated by those who are white, politically far right and not only adverse to Jews but to Muslims too. While it’s relatively common for anti-Semitism to arise during times of prolonged economic and political instability, it is no less disturbing to see these trends emerging again today.