The new face of Antisemitism
“But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there.” – 2 Chronicles 6:6
The words of Scripture remind us of the sacred importance of Israel. At its heart, antisemitism is a rejection of God’s divine plan. This irrational hatred persists in the 21st Century with a new face: anti-Zionism. Though distinct in focus, antisemitism and anti-Zionism share a disturbing common thread. While antisemitism denies the Jews’ right to exist as a people, anti-Zionism denies their right to exist as a nation.
Dr. ES Samuel puts it succinctly: “Jews and the Jewish Promised homeland, Israel, receive an immensely disproportionate amount of attention and vilification, considering that Jews number less than 15 million in a world of 8 billion.”
Why Jerusalem is Central
Jerusalem holds unparalleled significance, not just biblically but globally. It’s telling that the concentration of international media presence in Jerusalem is second only to Washington, DC. The world’s eyes are continually on this city and this land. The ongoing conflict between Israel and neighboring Muslim states is one of the most complex and hotly debated issues of our time.
While it’s essential to critique specific actions by any nation, including Israel, it’s also crucial to recognize that antisemites often exploit these debates to peddle antisemitic conspiracy theories. How can we discern between legitimate criticism and hatred of the Jewish people?
Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident and Israeli politician, introduced the concept of “3D antisemitism,” which encompasses attempts to Delegitimize, Demonize, or apply Double Standards to Israel.
The Evolving Nature of Antisemitism
As Per Ahlmark, former Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden noted, today’s antisemitism often targets Israel as a collective entity, thereby triggering a chain reaction of assaults on individual Jews and Jewish institutions. Historically, the most dangerous antisemites were those who wanted a world without Jews. Currently, the greatest threat comes from those who seek a world without a Jewish state.
The Right of Israel to Exist
Delegitimizing Israel is essentially denying Jews the right to a homeland. After the horrors of the Holocaust, denying Jews a place of safety and security is unconscionable. President Woodrow Wilson’s principle of self-determination emphasized the right of each nationality to self-governance. How can anyone argue that Jews should not have this same right?
Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, once remarked, “Were I to sum up the Basel Congress in a word…it would be this: At Basel, I founded the Jewish State.” His vision became reality only 51 years later when Israel was founded in 1948. Despite the atrocities faced, Israel came into being, embodying a testament to the resilience and right of the Jewish people to self-determination.
Double Standards and Demonization
The unequal treatment of Israel is evident. Abba Eban, former Israeli diplomat, sardonically observed, “If Algeria introduced a [United Nations] resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass.”
This double standard is a form of demonization, where Israel is judged by a different metric, often facing exaggerated and unfounded accusations. For instance, accusations of Israeli barbarism overlook far more severe actions by neighboring nations.
Battlegrounds of Modern Antisemitism
College campuses and international forums like the United Nations are key battlegrounds in this ideological struggle. The BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) movement, founded as Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, seeks to delegitimize Israel under the guise of advocating for Palestinian rights. But many of its founders, like Omar Barghouti, oppose Israel’s very existence.
At the United Nations, Israel faces hyperbolic censure. From 2006 to 2016, more than half of the Human Rights Council’s criticisms were directed at Israel, ignoring severe human rights abuses in neighboring countries. UNESCO, on several occasions, has denied Jewish historical ties to Jerusalem, displaying a clear bias.
Rabbi Jerrod Grover aptly warns us against succumbing to the divisive narratives prevalent in today’s political landscape. He mentions the overt antisemitism evident in the British Labour Party and distorted views from certain US Congress members, showing that antisemitism isn’t confined to one geographical or political realm.
If someone were to say, “I have nothing against the Jews, but Israel frankly has no right to exist; its crimes are especially severe,” how would you reply
Combat Antisemitism
Antisemitism is on the Rise, we as Christians must Oppose it!
Antisemitic attacks are the most common hate crime in the United States, and these attacks are spreading around the world. As Christians we must not be silent!
