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.

NYPD: 55% of confirmed hate crimes in New York City are antisemitic

Confirmed hate crimes rose by 11.7%, with 55% of all these confirmed hate crimes being antisemitic, despite Jews making up only approximately 10% of NYC's population.

APRIL 5, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch speaks during for a press conference at the New York Police Department headquarters in New York City, US, April 2, 2026.

Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed receives a memorable gift from Christian leaders at the inaugural Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa, Canada, March 2026.

Canadians pray for Jerusalem as Parliament penalizes quoting the Bible - opinion

The success of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa suggests that there is still a hunger for unity, moral clarity, and courage.

APRIL 5, 2026|ByALBERT VEKSLER/THE MEDIA LINE

People gather outside London's High Court in London, Britain, July 30, 2025.

Antisemitism in UK schools hit all-times high over last three years, investigation reveals

According to The Telegraph, since the Hamas October 7 attack in 2023, there has been a significant increase in antisemitism in Britain, with record numbers recorded in 2023, with 4,298 incidents.

APRIL 5, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Charred remains of ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish community organisation, which were set on fire in an incident that the police say is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026.

Three suspects in UK Hatzola ambulance arson arrested, charged for attack

Two British nationals, 20-year-old Hamza Iqbal and 19-year-old Rehan Khan, and one unnamed 17-year-old British-Pakistani dual citizen were charged with an arson attack that destroyed four ambulances.

APRIL 4, 2026|ByGOLDIE KATZ

Brad Schneider warns Democrats on antisemitism in Hasan Piker controversy

“Hasan Piker is an unapologetic antisemite,” Schneider, who chairs the New Democratic Coalition, wrote in a post on X.

MARCH 26, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Hasan Piker attends a press conference during day three of Web Summit Qatar 2026 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, on February 3, 2026.

Fortnite tops ADL’s new ‘leaderboard’ ranking video games on antisemitism safeguards

The leaderboard’s release coincided with a landmark Los Angeles jury verdict finding Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young user through addictive design features.

MARCH 26, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Fairgoers play video games at the Japanese publisher Nintendo Switch's stand during Milan Games Week and Cartoomics 2024 at Fiera Milano Rho on November 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy.

50 years after the Dirty War, Argentinians remember the Jews who ‘disappeared’

As many as 1,900 Jews were abducted, tortured, and murdered by the military during Argentina's six-day Dirty War, with as many as 30,000 presumed to be disappeared.

MARCH 26, 2026ByJUAN MELAMED/JTA

A man holds up a portrait of Luis German Cirigliano, who disappeared during Argentina's 'Dirty war', during a demonstration to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1976 military coup in Buenos Aires, March 24, 2016.

US Justice Department’s October 7 task force is unraveling, report says

The task force, convened by US Attorney General Pam Bondi shortly after she took office, has struggled to deliver results despite the administration’s stated priority to fight antisemitism.

MARCH 25, 2026ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

United States Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during the IAC National Summit 2026 at The Diplomat Beach Resort on January 16, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida.

These pro-Palestine PACs seek to challenge AIPAC influence in US politics

Multiple anti-Israel lobbying PACs are trying to counterweigh AIPAC and elect pro-Palestinian candidates as Americans’ sympathy toward Israel wanes.

MARCH 25, 2026ByJOSEPH STRAUSS/JTA

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally outside AIPAC headquarters and the offices of Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who've both been endorsed by the group, in New York City, February 22, 2024.

Joe Kent’s resignation revealed what was in clear sight - opinion

Washington is outraged at Joe Kent, but his history was always clear; the real story is who enabled him and why it’s now being ignored.

MARCH 25, 2026ByDANIEL GOLDMAN

Joe Kent, who is running for Washington's 3rd congressional district, delivers a speech during a rally in support of defendants being prosecuted in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, in Washington, US, September 18, 2021.

London police arrest two men over antisemitic arson of ambulances belonging to Jewish volunteers

The two were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, with police officers carrying out searches at their residences, London's Metropolitan Police stated.

MARCH 25, 2026ByJAMES GENN, REUTERS

Charred remains of ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish community organisation, which were set on fire in an incident that the police say is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026.

Sheriff who responded to Temple Israel attack faces online backlash

Oakland County Mike Bouchard denounced social media users who spread antisemitic memes about him online, stating that they're hiding behind free speech rights "as cover to hide their antisemitism."

MARCH 25, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard speaks during a press conference on March 19, 2026.

Avraham Burg, longtime fixture of Israeli left, meets Tucker Carlson on his own turf

“Listen, Tucker, I cannot stand you,” the former Knesset speaker told his interviewer over a video call. “But you’re a nice person, so I talk with you.”

MARCH 25, 2026ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

Right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson (l) hosts Israeli leftist, former interim president and former speaker of the Knesset, Avraham Burg, on his program, March 23, 2026.

Toronto Police to deploy armed officers, bans pro-Palestinian protests in Jewish areas

As part of the measures, which come amid "heightened tensions," officers will be equipped with patrol rifles and other long guns as part of a deterrence strategy,

MARCH 25, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Toronto police stand watch near the Al-Quds day protest in Toronto, Ontario, on March 14, 2026.