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.

My Word: Shavuot's striking legacy of Jewish pain, historic success - opinion

Shavuot is celebrated as a harvest festival with a conflicting history of both attacks on Jews in the past and historical military success.

MAY 21, 2026|ByLIAT COLLINS

Children from the Toldot Aharon Talmud Torah march through the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem ahead of the Shavuot holiday. May 19, 2026.

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.

Nova exhibit in hiding, death penalty filing, Eurovision boo: Inside the week in antisemitism

A memorial forced into hiding. A death penalty filing. A singer booed into second place. One week, three continents, and a pattern officials won't name.

MAY 21, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

Maureen Galindo, left, and Johnny Garcia, candidates for U.S. House District 35, participate in a forum held by the League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area in the Sidney Board Room at Brooks in San Antonio on Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Democrats condemn Texas candidate over antisemitic rhetoric ahead of runoff

The widespread condemnation has reassured Nathan that opposition to Galindo’s rhetoric extends across the Democratic party.

MAY 21, 2026|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

The real Jerry Seinfeld was never the assimilated man his show implied. Seinfeld during his visit to Israel, December 2023.

Editor's Notes: Why some Jews are scrubbing themselves from the internet - comment

The writer who asks for anonymity has not abandoned the Jewish people. He is covering, trying to stay employable and safe in a world that has quietly decided his affiliation is a liability.

MAY 21, 2026|ByZVIKA KLEIN

Sydney woman charged for abuse of Jewish girls' netball team

"You should have all been eradicated," the 42-year-old woman shouted at the Maroubra netball game for girls aged 12 and under.

MAY 11, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

AUSTRALIA'S HOME Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, speaks during a press conference, after the Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, received the Interim Report from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2026.

London man charged after alleged antisemitic attack on Orthodox Jewish women

Francis Achile was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of assault by beating, racially aggravated harassment, and racially aggravated assault.

MAY 11, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

METROPOLITAN POLICE officers stand on duty as people attend a rally last month in London following the stabbing of two Jewish men the day before in the Golders Green neighborhood.

Cypriot MEP claims Israel buying up island through real estate, land development

Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik responded to Fidias Panayiotou's comments, calling them "deeply concerning."

MAY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Cypriot member of the European Parliament and influencer Fidias Panayiotou and Sean Topham, co-founder of Topham Guerin campaign agency, talk about "Winning the next generation of voters" on stage 13 during Web Summit first day of this year's event on November 11, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.

German media chief declares 'I am a Zionist' at World Jewish Congress in Geneva

Döpfner delivered a sweeping defense of Zionism, saying support for Israel should be embraced by Jews and non-Jews alike.

MAY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder speaking at the Wirkd Jewish Congress in Geneva.

Palestine Action’s online map and manual publicly targets Israeli civilians

Palestine Action, which was recently banned in Britain, operates by targeting companies and individuals it identifies as "corporate enablers" of the Israeli military.

MAY 11, 2026ByGABRIEL COLODRO/THE MEDIA LINE

A person holds two Palestinian flags as supporters of the pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action gather outside the High Court in London, Britain, July 4, 2025.

Florida congressional race erupts into widening dispute involving antisemitism, Israel, Azerbaijan

The clash erupted after Fine publicly criticized Bilzerian after the release of a Diaspora Ministry report that ranked the social media personality among the world’s leading antisemitic influencers.

MAY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Dan Bilzerian was asked during a TMZ interview about referring to Rep. Randy Fine as a "fat Jew."

World Jewish Congress marks 90 years since its founding in Geneva

Swiss President Guy Parmelin addressed the opening gala, where WJC leaders honored the family of Ran Gvili with the Israel Resilience Award.

MAY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

World Jewish Congress marks 90 years since its founding in Geneva, May 10, 2026.

Antisemitism without borders and our responsibility without borders

At a time when antisemitism is rapidly changing form, often disguised as political activism and “progressive” language, the Jewish world must learn to think globally.

MAY 11, 2026ByDR. HAIM BEN YAAKOV

Dr Haim Ben Yaakov

Professor reveals decades of bias in israel's media coverage

In From David to Goliath, Professor Eli Avraham explores the media’s portrayal of Israel, shedding light on its biased coverage and the effects on international opinion.

MAY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

Why Israel keeps losing the media war | Prof. Eli Avraham

NYC anti-Israel activists plan Monday protest against Israel real estate event

The Monday protest comes following a similar event on Tuesday, after which PAL-Awda said it was undeterred.

MAY 10, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

Pro-Palestinian protestors pe demonstrate against a recently passed Israeli death penalty law near the Israeli consulate on April 07, 2026 in New York City.