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.

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, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

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

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

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, 2026|ByLEV STESIN

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.

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, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

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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When Arabs lose, 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, 2026|ByDALIA ZIADA

NY congressional candidate Avila Chevalier doubles down on attending Oct. 8 pro-Palestinian rally

“I think there is a war machine that is insatiable,” said Avila Chevalier. “An American war machine, the Israeli war machine, that we fund with our tax dollars as Americans."

JULY 11, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier speaks during a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally at King's Theater on June 18, 2026 in New York City.

UK Jewish groups express concern as the likely next PM Andy Burnham criticizes Israel over Gaza

Andy Burnham apologized for Labour’s early Gaza response and called for greater pressure on Israel, prompting British Jewish leaders to raise concerns over his remarks.

JULY 10, 2026ByKELLY HARTOG/JTA

Labour MP and challenger for Leader of the Labour party, Andy Burnham, arrives at Millbank studios in Westminster, central London, on July 2, 2026.

Ukraine wants joint investigation in Monaco bomb case after suspect found dead, top prosecutor says

The blast wounded businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his wife and their 13-year-old son, and two suspects, including a Ukrainian intelligence officer, have been detained.

JULY 10, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Monaco's Public Safety director Eric Arella holds up the red notice issued by Interpol against a Ukrainian woman suspected of planting a bomb in Monaco that injured three people, including a Ukrainian-born tycoon, during a press conference in Monaco on July 3, 2026.

Australian academics sign open letter calling on Dan David winner to return 'Israel-linked' prize

The open letter reportedly said that keeping the award would contribute to "the ongoing normalization of the genocide and scholasticide in Palestine."

JULY 10, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS

A man walks past a graffiti reading "Oct 7, do it again”' on a retail store in Melbourne, Australia, October 7, 2025.

Pennsylvania man arrested for alleged antisemitic threats against Gov. Josh Shapiro

The suspect allegedly used antisemitic slurs while threatening Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and was later charged with terrorist threats and ethnic intimidation.

JULY 10, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

PENNSYLVANIA GOV. Josh Shapiro takes the stage at an election rally for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, in Philadelphia, last week. Shapiro can show that he isn’t backing down from his lifelong mission of helping Jews and others in need, says the writer.

Antisemitism is the most dangerous human rights violation in the world today - opinion

Antisemitism is increasing rapidly throughout the United States and in the rest of the world.

JULY 9, 2026ByALAN DERSHOWITZ

A sign that reads "end Zionism" leans against a tent, at a protest encampment in support of Palestinians, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, on April 28, 2024.

Making aliyah shouldn’t feel like running the Grand National - opinion

Making aliyah fulfilled a lifelong Zionist dream, but navigating the system proved harder than expected.

JULY 9, 2026ByNIGEL LITHMAN

Israel and United Kingdom flags waving together.

New York is not Berlin in the 1930s, but the fear is real - opinion

The evil Jew haters must be stopped, and when that is accomplished, Jews will feel safer. t is as simple as that because New York today is not Berlin in the 1930’s.

JULY 9, 2026ByMICAH HALPERN

NEW YORK CITY Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani: What should trouble us most is how many are willing to back someone who openly mocks Jewish holidays, cheers for the Intifada, and tacitly supports antisemitic protests on university campuses, say the writers.

Norway drops case against professor who called October 7 'most beautiful thing this century'

Bassam Hussein, a project management professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, made the comments during an April 21 lecture.

JULY 9, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Armed police cordon off the area outside the Norwegian parliament in Oslo, Norway, April 3, 2024.

At 250, America must remember what made it worth fighting for - opinion

America’s anniversary is a moment to celebrate its ideals and recognize the forces challenging the freedoms it was built to protect.

JULY 9, 2026ByMICHAL COTLER-WUNSH