Antisemitism is a term that has unfortunately become increasingly relevant in today’s global landscape. To understand and combat it effectively, it’s crucial to have a clear grasp of What Is Antisemitism. This article delves into the widely-accepted working definition of antisemitism, as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and provides examples to illustrate its various forms.
In 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), of which the United States is a member, adopted a significant working definition of antisemitism. This definition builds upon earlier definitions, including one used by the U.S. Department of State since 2010, and serves as a guide for understanding and addressing antisemitism in the 21st century.
The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism
The IHRA defines antisemitism as follows:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
This definition, adopted on May 26, 2016, in Bucharest, is non-legally binding but has become a widely recognized and utilized tool for governments, organizations, and individuals seeking to identify and combat antisemitism. It highlights that antisemitism is not just about hatred, but also about perceptions that can lead to hostility and discrimination.
An image displaying the official logo of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) alongside text excerpts from their working definition of antisemitism, emphasizing the global consensus and adoption of this definition by member states.
Key Aspects of Antisemitism
To further clarify what is antisemitism, the IHRA provides examples that illustrate different manifestations. These examples are crucial for understanding the practical application of the definition in real-world scenarios. It’s important to remember that context is crucial when determining if an act is antisemitic.
Manifestations of Antisemitism
The IHRA definition explains that manifestations of antisemitism can target:
- Jewish or non-Jewish individuals: Antisemitism can be directed at people simply because they are Jewish or perceived to be Jewish. It can also target non-Jewish individuals who are associated with Jewish communities or institutions.
- Their property: This includes acts of vandalism or destruction targeting personal property because it belongs to Jewish individuals or is associated with Jewish identity.
- Jewish community institutions: Synagogues, community centers, schools, and other Jewish organizations are often targets of antisemitic acts.
- Religious facilities: Jewish cemeteries and other religious sites are also frequently targeted.
Contemporary Examples of Antisemitism
The IHRA provides a list of contemporary examples to further clarify what is antisemitism in modern contexts. These examples are not exhaustive but serve to illustrate the range of antisemitic behaviors:
- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews: This is perhaps the most extreme form of antisemitism, inciting violence and hatred against Jewish people in the name of extremist ideologies.
- Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews: This includes spreading false information and negative stereotypes about Jews, such as conspiracy theories about Jewish control of media, finance, or government. These stereotypes have historically fueled discrimination and violence.
A historical image depicting “Judensau,” a medieval antisemitic caricature, illustrating the long history of dehumanizing and demonizing stereotypes against Jewish people in European societies.
- Accusing Jews of collective responsibility: Holding all Jews responsible for the actions of individual Jews or groups, or even actions by non-Jews, is a form of antisemitism. This denies the diversity within the Jewish community and unfairly blames all Jews for the actions of a few.
- Holocaust denial and distortion: Denying the Holocaust, minimizing its scale, or falsely claiming it was fabricated are clear examples of antisemitism. These actions often aim to rehabilitate Nazi ideology or demonize Jewish people.
- Accusing Jews of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust: This is another form of Holocaust denial and distortion that seeks to undermine the historical reality of the genocide and further antisemitic narratives.
- Dual loyalty accusations: Falsely accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel or global Jewish interests than to their own countries is a form of antisemitism. This challenges their patriotism and belonging within their national communities.
- Denying the Jewish people’s right to self-determination: This includes denying the legitimacy of the State of Israel in a way that is rooted in antisemitic tropes. However, it’s crucial to distinguish this from legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies.
- Applying double standards to Israel: Criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic. However, applying standards to Israel that are not applied to other nations can be antisemitic, particularly when it reflects prejudice and seeks to delegitimize the Jewish state. Legitimate criticism of Israel, like any other country, is valid and necessary in political discourse. The line is crossed into antisemitism when criticism is disproportionate, relies on antisemitic tropes, or seeks to deny Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
- Using antisemitic symbols and tropes to characterize Israel: Employing classic antisemitic imagery (e.g., blood libel accusations or claims of Jews killing Jesus) to demonize Israel or Israelis is antisemitic. This links contemporary criticism of Israel to historical forms of Jew-hatred.
- Drawing comparisons between Israeli policy and Nazi Germany: While it’s valid to critique Israeli policies, comparing them to Nazi Germany is often considered antisemitic because it trivializes the Holocaust and demonizes Israel using historically charged antisemitic tropes.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel: Just as it’s antisemitic to hold all Jews responsible for individual actions, it’s also antisemitic to hold Jewish people worldwide collectively responsible for the policies and actions of the Israeli government.
A photograph capturing a protest sign at an anti-Israel demonstration, showing an example of potentially antisemitic rhetoric when criticism of Israeli policies crosses into denying Israel’s right to exist or employs antisemitic tropes.
Antisemitic Acts, Criminal Acts, and Discrimination
It’s also important to understand the legal and social dimensions of antisemitism:
- Antisemitic acts are criminal: In many countries, certain antisemitic acts, such as Holocaust denial or hate speech, are defined as crimes under law.
- Criminal acts can be antisemitic: Even acts that are criminal by nature (like assault or vandalism) can be classified as antisemitic if the target is chosen because they are Jewish or perceived as Jewish.
- Antisemitic discrimination: Denying Jewish people opportunities or services available to others is antisemitic discrimination and is illegal in many nations. This can manifest in various forms, from employment to housing.
Conclusion
Understanding what is antisemitism is the first step in combating it. The IHRA working definition and its examples provide a crucial framework for identifying and addressing this form of prejudice. By recognizing the diverse manifestations of antisemitism, from hateful rhetoric to discriminatory actions, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful society for everyone. It is vital to remember that while criticism of Israeli policies is not inherently antisemitic, it crosses into antisemitism when it employs double standards, relies on antisemitic tropes, or seeks to deny the Jewish people’s right to self-determination.
