Rising Anti-Jewish Sentiments In Europe: A Warning For North American Jews

Lessons can be drawn from the European experience, particularly in addressing anti-Israel trends and anti-Zionism, which often blur the lines between attacks on Israel and attacks on Jews and Jewish identity. The rise of anti-Zionist rhetoric and terminology within European left-wing circles has found its way into U.S. political discourse, signaling an interconnectedness that cannot be ignored.

One pivotal example of this interconnectedness is the May 2021 Israel-Hamas conflict. The tensions between Israel and Palestine resulted in incidents of antisemitism targeted at Jews and Jewish institutions in the U.S., mirroring patterns observed during prior Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in Europe. The ADL noted a staggering 115 percent increase in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. during May 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year.

The report emphasizes that the U.S. should closely observe European experiences of left-wing antisemitism and consider potential consequences. In Germany, the use of pro-intifada language has infiltrated social justice circles in the U.S., while the antisemitic notion of Jewish or pro-Israel lobby control over government actions, common in the UK and France, has also gained traction within American discourse.

Furthermore, the adoption of Soviet-era tactics in the U.S., akin to those in France, has sought to brand Israel as an extension of colonialism, utilizing the label of Zionism as racism. This language, used by anti-Israel NGOs and activist groups, attempts to delegitimize the Zionist movement by negating Jewish claims to Israel.