Antisemitism since October 7

In the United States alone, antisemitic incidents—including threats, vandalism, and assault—rose about 400 percent in the two weeks following October 7, 2023.^[1]

Antisemitism is amazingly versatile, arising from both the far right and far left ends of the political spectrum. It is not limited to any particular country or ethnic group. Even groups diametrically opposed to one another—for example, a white supremacist group and an Islamic extremist movement—can agree in their hatred of Jewish people.

While not all antisemitic incidents since October 7 can be directly linked to Hamas’ horrific attacks, the exponential increase in antisemitism is no coincidence. Unprecedented Western support of a terrorist group and demonization of Israel have emboldened those with disdain for Jewish people. Dormant antisemitism has erupted to the surface in ways most of us have not seen in our lifetimes, to the point of becoming chillingly mainstream, with people explicitly saying what they have likely been thinking for a long time.

Sympathy for Hamas in the United States

One primary way the rise in antisemitism has manifested itself is in the surge of Western sympathy for Islamic extremism. This shift is especially dramatic among young adults. According to one poll, more than half (51 percent) of eighteen- to twenty-four-year-olds say Hamas’ attacks on October 7 “can be justified by the grievance of Palestinians.”^[2] The unfortunate truth is many Palestinians have been living in undignified conditions. But to blame Israel for a premeditated massacre targeting defenseless civilians is repugnant. There is no justification for Hamas’ atrocities, which included kidnapping, decapitating children, burning whole families alive, and rape.

A home in Nahal Or Kibbutz after the October 7 massacre
(Photo by Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Many people online have minimized or even denied the level of brutality in the October 7 massacre.^[3] Examination of the bodies demonstrates the victims, young and old, were murdered with horrific cruelty.^[4] Even after these crimes, only half of Americans ages eighteen to twenty-nine think Hamas is a terrorist organization.^[5] Hamas is not shy or subtle about their hatred for Jewish people and their intent to destroy the Jewish community. Former Hamas Minister of Culture said, “The Jews are the most despicable and contemptible nation to crawl upon the face of the earth.”^[6]

Some students at major American universities even glorified Hamas’ carnage as legitimate Palestinian resistance. These statements raised fear among Jewish students.^[7] At Cornell University, one student openly called for murdering Jewish people, posting on social media about his desire to “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews.”^[8]

Normalization of Antisemitic Tropes

Young Americans have also expressed sympathy, if not outright support, for other streams of Islamist extremism. In one TikTok trend, users affirmed a letter Osama bin Laden wrote more than twenty years ago. This letter blames Jewish people for 9/11 and speaks of “the devastating Jewish control of capital [wealth],” appealing to the antisemitic trope of greedy Jewish bankers secretly ruling the world.^[9] Words have concrete consequences. In early November, a woman in Indiana intentionally drove her car into what she thought was a Jewish school. Ironically, it turned out the building she damaged belonged to the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, a racist and antisemitic group. Upon her arrest, she explained she planned the attack while watching news coverage of Israel’s response to October 7.^[10]

The exponential growth of antisemitic fervor does not only arise in the context of support for Islamic extremism. Neo-Nazi and other white supremacist groups have also become more vocal since Israel’s war with Hamas began. On November 18, about two dozen members of the “Blood Tribe” neo-Nazi group marched through downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Carrying swastika flags, they shouted racial slurs and, “There will be blood.”^[11]

A Global Problem

The scourge of antisemitism is a global problem. Rallies supporting Hamas have erupted in major cities around the world. One common slogan at these demonstrations is, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Although the argument from demonstrators is Palestinians should be freed of “Israeli oppression,” this statement implies the elimination of Israel—millions of Jewish people. It is echoed everywhere at anti-Israel rallies, in graffiti, on college campuses, and on social media. At one rally in Sydney, Australia, participants called October 7 “a day of pride . . . the day we’ve been waiting for.”^[12] People express sentiments of sympathy for Hamas and hatred for Israel at similar rallies across the world.

Rally in Colombus, Ohio on October 12, 2023 (Photo by Becker1999)

German police investigated seventeen suspects reported as celebrating Hamas’ carnage. Some posted Nazi symbols on social media and made threats like “gas the Jews.”^[13] Shortly after the war began, rioters stormed a Russian airport where a flight from Israel was landing. In one video of the incident, someone said, “We are here for the Jews, we came to kill them with knives and shoot at them.” In the same region, rioters met at a hotel where they thought Israelis were staying. Rioters only left after checking passports to ensure no Israeli citizens were present.^[14]

All this happened over two months, and this account hardly includes every hateful word, symbol, and act directed against Jewish people since October 7. So many incidents never make the news. The disturbing trends show no sign of slowing. As Israel continues to fight Hamas and the memory of October 7 wanes in many people’s minds, condemnation of Israel will likely only intensify. Accordingly, threats, intimidation, and violence toward Jewish people will grow ever more common and serious if present trends remain unchecked.

How We Can Oppose Antisemitism

Everyone, but especially believers in Jesus, must make a clear stand against antisemitism. Tragically, the church has historically been complicit in hating and persecuting Jewish people. Now is the time for followers of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, to do what we should have been doing all along—opposing hate, especially when directed toward God’s chosen people. Though the present events are disturbing and getting worse, we can take action.

Praying for the Jewish community—both individually and corporately—is powerful. We worship a God who hears our prayers and is mighty to intervene, especially when His promises are at stake. Interceding for others also stirs our own hearts with compassion and motivates us to act. In particular, for a church or small group to pray audibly and publicly for the well-being of the Jewish community, especially in light of these chilling trends, sends an urgent and critical message: Christians care.