All Jew-hatred is antisemitism, but not all antisemitism is Jew-hatred.
Let me explain.
A CERTAIN PERCEPTION OF JEWS
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism, the most widely adopted definition of antisemitism among the Jewish community, describes antisemitism not as a hatred but as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” (Emphasis my own).
I personally think this is what’s most valuable about the IHRA Working Definition. Antisemitism doesn’t necessarily present as Jew-hatred. Instead, antisemitism sees Jews as a collective – or those perceived to be Jewish – in a particular manner that validates a conspiratorial form of thinking about how the world works. Other competing definitions of antisemitism, in my opinion, don’t quite grasp this detail.
- Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism: “Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish).”
- Nexus Document: “Antisemitism consists of anti-Jewish beliefs, attitudes, actions or systemic conditions. It includes negative beliefs and feelings about Jews, hostile behavior directed against Jews (because they are Jews), and conditions that discriminate against Jews and significantly impede their ability to participate as equals in political, religious, cultural, economic, or social life.”
A CONSPIRATORIAL WORLDVIEW
Antisemitism, above all, is a conspiratorial form of thinking about how the world works. At the very core of it is the perception that Jews as a collective – or groups perceived as Jewish – are all in cahoots with each other, plotting together to manipulate others and advance their nefarious Jewish interests.
It usually looks like this:
Unsurprisingly, a comprehensive April 2023 study published in Nature’s Humanities and Social Sciences Communications journal found that those with conspiratorial patterns of thinking are most likely to be antisemites.
JEW-HATE
Antisemitism, one could argue, occurs on a spectrum, and blatant, proud, Nazi-esque Jew-hatred presents only at its most extreme.
Overt Jew-hatred cannot be the only standard by which we recognize antisemitism. We cannot effectively do the work to combat the rise and normalization of antisemitism when we only identify it at its final, most violent stage.
YOU CAN LIKE JEWS AND STILL BE ANTISEMITIC
It’s entirely possible to like Jews, both as individuals and as a collective, and still be antisemitic. Many antisemites are quite convinced that they love Jews. And why wouldn’t they be? If you don’t feel that you harbor any ill feelings toward Jews, that’s a pretty reasonable conclusion to make.
- Some people like Jews as individuals and still maintain a conspiratorial worldview about Jews (or groups of Jews) as a collective. In that case, those people are still antisemites.
- Some people believe antisemitic stereotypes, tropes, and conspiracies about Jews, but they believe that those stereotypes, tropes, and conspiracies are actually a good thing. For example, some people believe that Jews are “good with money” and see this as a compliment. In that case, those people are still antisemites.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS
Though well-intentioned, campaigns like the Stand Up to All Hate ad that ran during the last Super Bowl not only universalize antisemitism— a bigotry that functions very differently than other “isms” — but do a very poor job at helping people actually identify antisemitism. Most antisemites probably never look in the mirror and think, “I hate Jews.”
ANTISEMITISM VS. JEW-HATRED DEBATE
The term antisemitism was coined in the 19th century by Wilhelm Marr, a self-declared antisemite, who wished to replace the previously-used term, “Judenhass” (Jew-hatred), because he believed that the word “antisemitism” sounded more scientific, and thus, acceptable. In other words, Marr argued, he was not a Jew-hater; he was just an antisemite (sound familiar?).
Today, some Jews advocate for a return to the term “Jew-hatred.” There are strong arguments on both sides.
- Proponents of the term “Jew-hatred” argue that not only was “antisemitism” invented by an antisemite, but the term antisemitism has been co-opted by other non-Jewish groups who argue that “antisemitism” is bigotry against “all Semites” (in truth, there is no such thing as a Semite, but there are Semitic languages).
- Proponents of the term “antisemitism” argue that not only is it the long-accepted term, but antisemitism, as illustrated in this post, doesn’t always manifest as explicit Jew-hatred. Additionally, antisemites can easily deflect from accusations by assuring us that they don’t “hate” Jews.
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