Why does Anti-Semitism exist today?

Question

Or, what are the underlying causes of anti-semitism?

The whole phenomena is perplexing. It seems to transcend time and place.

My main question is "why"?

Great dialogue.

Answer 1

Anti-Semitism exists to a large extent in your own minds. If some of us defend the human rights of the Palestinian people---or (gasp!) DARE to criticize Israel's policies of genocide against the Palestinians---we're immediately branded "anti-Semites". It get pretty old.
In fact, that just might BE a major causeof anti-Semitism.

Edit to Kolmara and Misty: Thanks for your support, GFs! :) Have you noticed that the three of us have gotten more thumbs-up than than the Zionazis---like Ultra (oh, by the way Pal, Jews don't get to have totems), Mike in RI and Paperback? Oh, and Misty---Ultra is actually the FIRST anti-Celtic individual I've ever encountered!!! :o

Edit to Paperback---YOUR history? What do you Jews have, a patent on suffering? What the hell do you think happened to MY people, the indigenous natives of the Americas?---I don't base my entire LIFE on bitching about it! Or the Africans enslaved by white Europeans here?
YOUR unfortunate history was recorded: the histories of the First Nations and enslaved Africans weren't. That doesn't mean it didn't HAPPEN, or that your tragedy is any more important than OURS (though I'm sure you THINK it is!)

Answer 2

It exists in the Arab World and the West. Arabs/Muslims are anti-semitic because they see the Jews as invaders and Israel as an apartheid state. The West (mostly Christians, leftists and the far-right) is anti-semitic because of the whole "the Jews killed Jesus" thing, the perceived human rights abuses by Israel, and conspiracy theories in which the Jews control the world. Personally, I think they are all just jealous. A small group of people has overachieved at everything and is very tight-knit, will draw hatred from other groups. Sort of the same sentiments in the South Park episode: "they took our jobs!"

Answer 3

Because some people here suspended my other account, I have to answer using this account.
I said anti-semetism exists because of zionist occupiers.

Paperback corrected me. Thank you paperback but you notice the question is asking about today. The main reason about '''anti-semetism''' today I guess is the Issue in the middle east. At least let's talk about the Arabic countries. 22 Arabic nations carry a lot of anti-semetism, and of course because of the Israel-Palestinian issue. I don't deny the history you are telling. I have said it myself before so I wonder why you are telling it to me now! but you have to remember that it is not me and you only talking about the Issue and there are so many others involved. While you are lecturing me, you forget about the opinions of others. I am not talking for myself because I already know but others don't. About the occupation, I don't know how you can deny it. Whether it was occupied in war started by Arabs or by the Israelis It was occupied and by the zionists. So the word zionist occupiers is valid and it is not racism or anti-semetism as many call it.
The definition of occupation is talking other people's possesions by force , it doesn't state the reason why those people took those posessions. And the people who did the action of occupation are the zionists.

Peace

Answer 4

As a South African I am all too familiar with racism. As long as there are black people someone will call them a "ni**er", as long as there are Jews someone will call them "yids", etc etc etc. I think it's just a sad flaw of human nature to attack what is different.... Think about school, the fat kid, the redheaded kid, the kid with cross eyes and thick glasses, etc etc etc it's not just on race either! In my opinion Anti-Semitism will exist as long as there are Jews. In order to offer an explanation, well, perhaps the exclusivity of the Jewish religion "provokes" some of this, but most of it is just ignorance.....

PAPERBACK- remember Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do", NO TRUE Christian should be anti-semitic. It is sadly true that in the past the Chruch was hostile to Judaism, but this was NOT the message of Christ.

Answer 5

I don't believe anti Semitism is so very strong today, the perpetrators of remaining anti Semitism are a section of the Jewish people themselves who scream "Anti Semitism" when people criticise established facts like the number of Zionists who today are in almost complete charge of the White House.

Also the attack on Iraq was organised by supporters of Israel, it is not anti Semitic to say this any more than it is anti British to say that Tony B-Liar lied the UK into helping the Bush to attack Iraq.

See the links and any "anti semitism mantra chant " will be ignored

Answer 6

Hi,I'm going to try and give you an honest answer here with no agenda.Growing up I can say with absolute certainty that I never met anyone who displayed any anti Jewish sentiment.I take it that's what you're referring to as strictly speaking a Semite is not specifically Jewish.Over the past fifteen or so years though with the marked rise in Zionism more and more I hear people remarking on the imbalance in the American approach to the conflict in Israel/Palestine and while most people accept that Israel is now in existence and should have an established state the treatment of Palestine combined with the not inconsiderable backing of the U.S. is shameful and really quite hard to understand considering the appalling treatment of the Jewish people by Hitler.Time and again on here I correct people about collectively blaming all Jewish people for what the Zionists have been working towards.Indeed I fear for Jewish people as Zionism is making them a target for hatred by people lumping them all under the one banner.Perhaps also folk see the relentless Zionist cause threatening the world's stability especially with an unquestioning America seemingly prepared to back it up no matter what.
I feel that it's more anti-Zionism than anti-Jewishness that we see now and it's based on actions rather than creed.In which case it could be argued that if you do something so deeply unpopular then you can expect criticism.Calling it anti-Semitic is just using semantics to silence the protests.

Edit Paperback: At no point did I say it did not exist.What I said was I did not experience it when I was growing up in Scotland so I suggest you read a persons answer before losing the plot.
As for what qualifies me to answer?Someone asks a question which I think you might agree is aimed at all people not just Jews so I try to give an honest answer and you get on your high horse and start deciding who has a right to comment?You really need to have a word with yourself woman.As for name calling of other posters.That's just being immature.Argue the point instead of being childish.

Paperback:That reply just proves you did not read my answer.You don't need qualifications in Jewishness to have an opinion and as far as I know you don't make the rules in Y/A regarding who's qualfied to answer what.
Why would it hurt knowing that you misunderstood what I said?
I repeat never at any point did I say anti-semitism did not exist and as you did not set the question it's pretty ignorant of you to say who can and cannot answer it.Get over yourself.Keep your anger for those who are anti-semitic not for people who think everyone is equal.

Answer 7

Historically, the Semitic people led the world in believing in one God and that was seen as a treat to other races cultures and their many gods.
Contemporary Anti-Semitism originated in the West against the Jews for many reasons some are historical but most are the reaction to few bad Jews like Karl Marx and others who declared war on the Jewish God himself.

The role of some rich Jews in the colonial wars where big western companies are colonizing other people land for needed raw material to feed the western industry.

Some Jews plaid a major role in the disputes between the major colonial powers in the West.
The Zionist movement which was created by few rich Jews to creat a colony for the Jews anywhere in the world. This new movement called for the movement of the Jews from Europe and to transfer their wealth and money to the new colony. The Zionist idea of a Jewish state ignited a new wave of anti-Jewish feeling in the west piratically in Germany. Anti-Jewish platform elected Hitler who accused the Jewish underground movement for the future German economic problems.


The creation of Israel as a Zionist state ignited a new anti-Jewish feeling through out the world and particularly in the 3 world who was fighting the colonial powers for independent. The Palestinian tragedy which created a new world problem where more than 9 million people live in refugee camps and the continues rejection by the Israeli to resolve the Palestinian conflicts according to the UN resolutions.

The Israeli occupation and collective punishment polices are the main reasons for antizionisim.
Most international polls conclude that Israel is the most dangerous state in the world due to lack of peace in the country.


Is DR. Noam Chomsky is not anti-Semitic he is Jewish.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vpw-h6WY8As&f...

Answer 8

Basically, most of these answers are crap. I can't give you my exact qualifications, but I can tell you that I have studied this situation for years and am active in the field.

There is a long and rich history of antisemitism in both the West and the Arab world-- a history that began long before the birth of Zionism, much less the establishment of the State of Israel. These "talking points" are little more than excuses for antisemitism. Speaking as someone who has many Arab friends and colleagues who offer legitimate criticisms of Israel, I can say that no one I have ever encountered who is NOT an antisemite has complained of unfairly being labeled one, even when they criticize Israel. This is because it is extremely easy to discern between a legitimate criticism and an antisemitic tirade.

There is no way I or anyone else here could explain the existence of antisemitism coherently in such a short space. You must be dilligent enough to undertake your own research. While googling "history of antisemitism" may yield some results, if you are discerning and able to read only the legitimate sources and not the internet garbage(on both sides), you really need to consult a book. These should be easy to find on amazon or at your library; again, please make sure you are looking at reputable sources (ie. not ihatearabs.com or ihatejews.com).

This issue has been around for centuries, and unfortunately shows no sign of fading from society as a whole.

Good luck in your search.

Answer 9

Whoa. Kinda like lifting a rock to see what crawls out here, huh?
I admit I don't have background on Jewish issues, but I surely know hate & racism when I see it. Seems to me that Redisca is one who tells it like it is:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArFvRfWIPdB1hc.AgYFczj7.7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071225064231AAgrIK3
I noticed Israel Travel by accident when I looked for the Africa answers. I'm still curious why there are so many more questions here compared to other places. When I have time, I'll be looking things up for myself now and then.
I was a lurker on YA for a few weeks before I joined. I like to read. One thing I noticed. People go where their interests lie. If they're computer geeks, you know where they'll be. Which types would hang out in Israel Travel? 1. People who care about or enjoy the topic and know enough to answer questions. 2.People who have questions and are interested in learning more about the place. There seems to be a 3rd category that I'm still figuring out: individuals that passionately dislike Jewish people and heard that this is a good place to find some and hassle them.
If you don't like a group, stay away from them. (At least, that's what I'd do.)
This idea is new to me; maybe someone else will find it helpful. http://www.conceptwizard.com/pipeline_of_hatred.html

Answer 10

I have to correct Mimi:

Anti semitism does NOT exist because of 'zionist occupiers'. That is an absurd statement, Mimi.

Anti semitism has been around since ancient times; you can find a lot of anti semitic material written by the ancient Greeks. But it really became vitriolic when Christianity evolved and started teaching that the Jews killed Jesus. Now of course, most intelligent people now know it was the Romans that murdered him, but hey, mud sticks!

Anyone - Maya, GypsyThing - who denies that anti semitism still exists, just has to visit forums on this site such as R&S where you will regularly see the most hateful anti Jewish sentiments being expressed.

And yes, Maya and GypsyCreature - we damn well DO speak out against it - with our history, wouldn't you?

Much of anti semitism is based on ignorance. There is a really interesting book, 'Antisemitism: The Longest Hatred' which really examines the psychology of this particular racism, and both its' longevity and intensity.

MIMI - given that only the other day you apologised most nicely to me for your hurtful comments about Jews, I find it incredible that today, you are doing it again!

Think about what you said: you are blaming CENTURIES of anti semitism on Israel. Yet, by your own logic as expressed many times here, Israel has 'only been around since 1948'.

Do you see the contradiction?

Also, to categorise Israelis as 'zionist occupiers' is madness. You are ignoring that Israel AND a Palestinian state were LEGALLY CREATED in 1948 by Britain and the UN. How on earth is it the fault of Israel that the Arab world REJECTED that Palestinian state and instead declared war and then attacked Israel?

COMMENT TO MISTY BLUE

- right. so because YOU as a non Jew have not encountered anti jewish sentiment, that means there is NONE, right?
And you actually think this is logical?

What qualifies you to answer about anti semitism? Are you going to be screamed at and calling a 'f****ing yid' as you leave synagogue? No.

So don't you start telling those of us who ARE experiencing anti semitism that it doesn't exist. It's patronising in the extreme.

EDIT TO MJ

- I know that was not, and could not have been the message of Jesus, because Jesus was a practising Jew :)


COMMENT TO MISTY BLUE

- I did read your 'answer' which is why I then remarked on the patronising tone. You are in fact NOT qualified to answer about a form of racism that you will never experience. Just as I would not be qualified to discuss what it's like to be a man, for example! Or how it feels if someone insults Islam!

The fact that you disagreed with me does not alter the truth of what I said. I guess the truth hurts, right?

COMMENT TO MIMI

again I must respectfully disagree with you :)

If you are saying that anti Jewish sentiment today is caused by Israel, then by that logic, given how many Islamic terror attacks there have been, there would be also a massive increase in anti Muslim feeling and racism BUT certainly in the UK the official statistics do not support this.

ALSO: People who dislike Israel should not be anti JEWISH. Do we develop anti Christian feeling every time a Christian nation does something we disagree with? No!

Finally: Mimi, the painful truth is that the Arab states were anti semitic BEFORE the creation of Israel. If you'd like to debate this further, we can do some separate posts but wait until later this afternoon, will you? :)

Answer 11

Nothing good comes out of ANTI