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.

Dozens of Jewish graves vandalized at Barcelona cemetery

Spanish politician Daniel Sirera responded to the incident, stating in a post to X/Twitter, “It is not mere vandalism: it is antisemitism.”

JANUARY 29, 2026|ByESTHER DAVIS

One of the Jewish graves desecrated at Les Corts cemetary in Barcelona.

Star of David and yizkor candle.

Remembering the Holocaust in 2026 amid renewed threats to Israel - opinion

As Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches in 2026, memories of past atrocities collide with renewed war, rising antisemitism, and fears of another major confrontation with Iran.

JANUARY 29, 2026|ByJANE KIEL

JONATHAN DEKEL-CHEN, the father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, speaks to reporters after he and other family members of American hostages being held by Hamas, participated in a meeting with US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 25, 2024.

Father of former Israeli hostage joins Columbia as a Jewish history professor

Jonathan Dekel-Chen’s son Sagui spent 498 days in captivity in Gaza after he was taken by Hamas from Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on October 7, 2023.

JANUARY 29, 2026|BySHIRA LI BARTOV/JTA

The ink on a memorial message sheet bleeds after rainfall as people lay flowers and pay tribute to honour the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025.

Hospital staff changed Jewish Bondi victim’s name on system, removed religion, without permission

“What exactly was hospital staff trying to protect a Jewish woman who had just survived a massacre from? Why was she in danger?” a member of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry asked

JANUARY 28, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

US considering offering British Jews asylum amid rising antisemitism, Trump's UK-born lawyer says

Amid growing antisemitism in the UK, Trump’s lawyer Robert Garson revealed talks with the US State Department about offering asylum to British Jews seeking refuge.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Protesters wave flags and hold placards during a demonstration organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism outside Downing Street in London on October 9, 2025 to mark one week since the attack on a synagogue in Manchester; illustrative.

Why Antisemitism is a losing strategy for the conservative movement - opinion

Appeasing extremists costs conservatives their values - and their voters.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByADAM MILSTEIN

Charlie and Erika Kirk in Jerusalem in March of 2019

Trump’s lawyer tells 'Post' he raised idea of offering asylum to UK Jews - interview

"Jews are being persecuted in the United Kingdom. They fit a wonderful demographic for the United States. They're exactly the sort of immigrant the United States should want to attract," said Garson.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

People dance under Israeli flags as they gather for a commemorative event organized by the Jewish community to honour the lives lost in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in Trafalgar Square, London on October 5, 2025.

Senior Biden admin. official Aaron Keyak slams ‘double agent’ question posed to Josh Shapiro

"If a person were truly an intelligence asset of a foreign government, they’re just going to say ‘no.’ So, what was the motivation? Were they trying to intimidate him?" Keyak asks.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

Aaron Keyak (L) and Deborah Lipstadt testify about the recent rise in antisemitism and its threat to democracy before the U.S. Helsinki Commission in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on December 13, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Fuentes, Tate brothers, Sneako seen blasting Kanye's 'Heil Hitler' in Miami Beach nightclub

Rapper Kanye West released the controversial song in May 2025. The music video for Heil Hitler depicts a group of black men in formation singing 'Ni**a Heil Hitler' multiple times.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

'Deeply offensive' : Fuentes, Tate brothers and Sneako seen blasting Kanye's Heil Hitler in Miami Beach nightclub

Yes, they really asked Josh Shapiro if he’s an Israeli spy - comment

What they asked Josh Shapiro during VP vetting reveals everything about how Jews are treated in America.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during the a campaign kickoff rally earlier this month.

When moral clarity can’t wait at City Hall

If “never again” is going to mean anything in our cities, it must show up in what we do now and in how quickly we’re willing to say, without a moment’s hesitation: not here.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByLISA KATZ

Suspected arson at Beth Israel synagogue in Jackson, Mississppi, that destroyed two torah scrolls, January 11, 2026.

UK gov't launches investigation into antisemitism in schools, vows 'no stone left unturned'

The investigation comes after MP Damien Egan was prevented from visiting Bristol Brunel Academy in his Bristol North East constituency after intervention from anti-Israel activists.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

British Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaks on stage at Britain's Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool, Britain, September 29, 2025.

Antisemitism in the US comes from all sides, more dangerous than ever - opinion

The antisemitism that led to the Jackson synagogue being burnt down is very much alive, and now at its most concerning levels.

JANUARY 19, 2026BySEBASTIEN LEVI

Demonstrators attend a pro-Palestinian protest on the day of the two-year anniversary of the attack on Israel by Hamas, in New York City, US, October 7, 2025. REUTERS

Democracy’s blind spot: Extremism that no longer fears exposure - opinion

Extremism today does not fear visibility and no longer relies on secrecy to grow.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByASHER STERN

A PROTESTER holds a placard using the IDF acronym of Israel Defense Forces instead as ‘Infant Death Force’ in London last month. Today’s ideological manipulation echoes the rhetoric that paved the way for the Holocaust, the writer asserts.