A significant escalation in antisemitism has occurred in the U.S. following the October 2023 Hamas offensive against Israel. As reported in the American Jewish Committee’s latest State of Antisemitism in America Report, approximately one-third of Jewish Americans experienced antisemitism within the previous year.
The increase in antisemitism has also been highlighted by recent widely reported incidents such as Elon Musk’s inaugural gesture, which was interpreted by many as a Nazi salute, and Kanye West’s Super Bowl publicity stunt, during which he marketed swastika T-shirts on his online store.
According to Mark Oppenheimer, a professor at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis and a specialist in Jewish culture and life, all Americans should be alarmed by this disturbing trend.
“No society remains free and liberal when Jews are under siege. Extreme antisemitism is always indicative of the rise of autocratic regimes,” stated Oppenheimer, who also holds the position of executive editor for the Danforth Center’s online publication, Arc: Religion, Politics, Et Cetera.
However, Oppenheimer expressed skepticism regarding President Trump’s recent executive action against antisemitism. “I doubt this executive action will yield much impact. The pledges to uphold existing laws are unnecessary — all laws should indeed be upheld. It’s merely posturing,” he remarked.
In the following section, Oppenheimer elaborates on the various factors contributing to the recent surge in antisemitism and the societal transformations needed to confront it.
The increase in antisemitism in the U.S. has been ongoing for several years, predating the October 2023 Hamas offensive against Israel. Why?
I possess a rather tedious answer to this critical inquiry, which is, ‘It’s complicated. There are numerous factors.’ Undoubtedly, the growing acceptance of overt expressions of bigotry, primarily but not exclusively on the political right, has emboldened individuals holding antisemitic beliefs who have long desired to voice them. Yet, the repressive tendencies of the political left, often referred to as ‘wokeness’ and ‘cancel culture,’ have similarly fostered a climate of illiberality and division, intensifying public anger and hostility. This environment is detrimental to any minority, but particularly harmful to Jews, who in identity politics are categorized as ‘white’ — a classification that does not necessarily apply — thus labeled as ‘oppressors’ and subjected to attack. Additionally, there has been a global rise in nativism and nationalism, which has always posed risks to Jews. It’s a multi-faceted issue.
Social media, above all, has compounded these challenges, proving detrimental to society in many aspects. Individuals who three decades ago would have had no platform to express their opinions beyond handing out flyers are now capable of reaching a global audience.
What forms does antisemitism take?
Antisemitism manifests in various ways. Primarily, it comprises a series of conspiracy theories, making any suggestion that Jews are covertly managing affairs a quintessential example of antisemitism. The persistent association of Jews with wealth and finance — as illustrated by (U.S. Rep.) Ilhan Omar’s infamous tweet, ‘It’s all about the Benjamins baby’ — is antisemitic. Additionally, employing geopolitics to scrutinize Jews universally is also antisemitic. For instance, when Jewish candidates for student council at universities are interrogated about their stance on Israel, one must ponder if Black American students would be interrogated about their views on the Nigerian government. Furthermore, the blatant, recognizable forms of antisemitism, such as swastika graffiti, persist.
The American Jewish Committee indicates that over half of American Jews have altered their behaviors due to fears of antisemitism. How do you interpret this?
My instinct suggests that this sentiment is both exaggerated and understated. On one hand, there has indeed been a rise in young individuals donning Star of David jewelry or garments; there’s an increase in conversions to Judaism, and many are reconnecting with their roots. On the other hand, for Jews who are uncertain about their affiliations, the reality that their Judaism may be weaponized against them acts as a deterrent. If you’re a freshman on campus, hesitating to attend a Shabbat dinner at Hillel or contemplating enrolling in a Jewish studies course, the prevailing hostility toward Jews will certainly prompt second thoughts. In certain professions — including the two I’m most familiar with, academia and publishing — many individuals harbor suspicions that all Jews are Zionists, equating Zionism with something despicable.
In your view, is hate becoming normalized in America?
I believe hate has become normalized to a startling degree. This normalization, however, is a facet of a broader decline in civility. Within online discussions, people on both sides of the political spectrum exhibit similar levels of cruelty and dehumanization. Personally, I abhor Nazi salutes — and equally despise the fact that some medical professionals have refused to treat Jews, Israelis, or Zionists, which sadly has occurred. Our culture has regressed to a remarkably childish state. We have a senator wearing sweatshirts and a president boasting about his anatomy and inappropriate behavior. We’ve coined new derogatory terms such as ‘Karen,’ which is simultaneously ageist and misogynistic. A revival of decency and civility is essential.
What measures can be taken to combat antisemitism in the U.S. and globally?
I’m at a loss. Levels of antisemitism ebb and flow; this current wave will eventually decline. Yet it appears to be an enduring issue. Well, I have one suggestion: We must deepen our understanding of history and religion. While the humanities do not immunize against hatred, they equip us with the necessary tools to challenge it. Young adults focused solely on computer science and mathematics struggle to identify government waste — as evidenced by recent developments — and they also face difficulties conversing about Jews, politics, Zionism, and other related topics, regardless of their political leanings. We must reinstate reading as a priority. Colleges and universities could initiate this by enhancing their humanities course requirements.
The article Exploring the Roots of Increasing Antisemitism in America initially appeared on The Source.