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.

New York brothers charged with hate crimes after allegedly stealing, burning Israeli flag

Both brothers were charged with hate crimes related to theft and criminal damage, as well as destroying evidence.

AUGUST 26, 2026|ByYOAV ETIEL

People gather at the floral tribute at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.

Australia’s royal commission on antisemitism to conclude hearings after Bondi Beach attack

Following the conclusion of testimony, the commission, headed by former High Court justice Virginia Bell, will convene to draft the final report, expected to be ready by December.

AUGUST 26, 2026|ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER

Hasan Piker looks on as U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed delivers a stump speech in Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 7, 2026.

El-Sayed distances himself from Hasan Piker as Jewish Democrats question his Israel stance

If not necessarily a sharp pivot, El-Sayed’s words, coming from a strident Israel critic in his own right, still represented an acknowledgement that his biggest campaign surrogate poses problems.

AUGUST 26, 2026|ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mike Rogers.

GOP's Mike Rogers weighs AIPAC liability vs. support in high-stakes Michigan Senate race

“The Rogers campaign has been explicit with us that they welcome support from AIPAC and our members,” spokesperson Deryn Sousa told the Times.

AUGUST 25, 2026|ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

Belfast man charged after alleged attack on Israeli TV crew

'He came over to us and started asking questions. We put the camera on him, and then he gave us the middle finger and shouted: “f*** Israel.'

AUGUST 17, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Crew from i24NEWS attacked by a man in Belfast, Northern Ireland, August 16, 2026.

'Feared for my life': French Jew recalls antisemitic attacks in Barcelona when leaving synagogue

"For 40 minutes, hundreds of people humiliated us and spat on us. There was a huge crowd around us. We feared we would be murdered," Jimmy Zaghroun, a 41-year-old French Jew from Paris, said.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByALEX CARSON

People march during a pro-Palestinian protest in Barcelona, Spain, October 4, 2025

Portuguese gov't demands investigation for antisemitic threats against Israeli doctoral student

Portugal’s attorney general has been asked to investigate alleged antisemitism, threats and incitement targeting doctoral student Bar Harel.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByALEX CARSON

Hundreds of anti-Zionist stickers found at the University of Coimbra campus.

Saudi textbooks continue reforms, remove antisemitic content - report

According to the findings, the remaining examples of antisemitic content identified in previous IMPACT-se reviews have now been completely removed from Saudi textbooks.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByALEX CARSON

Saudi students sit for their final high school exams in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah on June 19, 2010 at the end of 2009/10 school year; illustrative

Ireland is green with envy against Israel - opinion

Their relations have gone from bad to worse, and in the years since October 7, the Irish have launched a tirade of invective against the State of Israel and its leaders.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByNIGEL LITHMAN

PROTESTERS CALL on the Irish government to impose sanctions on Israel, in Dublin, last month. Over the years, Ireland has taken a more anti-Israel position than most European or Western nations, states the writer.

Syrian army soldiers filmed chanting death threats against Jews in Damascus

The demonstration came after Israel rejected the Board of Peace's 15-point proposal for Gaza, reiterating that Hamas must first be disarmed.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Syrian Arab Army soldiers pose for a photograph near Aleppo, January 17, 2026; illustrative.

'Jews never lose': Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder finds laughter amid war and hate

Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder is using humor to unite Jewish audiences worldwide, finding laughter amid war, loss, and rising antisemitism

AUGUST 17, 2026ByRUTH MARKS EGLASH

Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder has taken his English-language stand-up show to audiences around the world, using humor to tackle war, antisemitism, and Jewish identity.

Premium

Israeli television is thriving on screen - but insiders warn of an industry in crisis

Israeli television is still producing global hits, but behind the success, budgets, politics and fewer commissions threaten the industry’s future

AUGUST 17, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN

French actress Melanie Laurent (right) joined the ‘Fauda’ cast for season five, starring and co-created by Lior Raz.

Premium

Despite boycotts and cancellation, Israeli entertainers stay proud of identity - from the editor

Amid boycotts and hostility abroad, Israeli artists unapologetically embrace their identities and continue performing on stage

AUGUST 17, 2026ByRUTH MARKS EGLASH

Despite pushbacks and boycotts, Israeli entertainers, like comedian, Yohay Sponder continue performing.

Mamdani fans flames of antisemitism by pairing false allyship with anti-Israel rhetoric - editorial

As long as the mayor continues to spew his accusations of “horrific genocide” against Israel and refuses to condemn phrases like “globalize the intifada,” he’s part of the problem, not the solution.

AUGUST 17, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL