ANTISEMITISM

Antisemitism: A Continuing Threat
“History has shown that wherever anti-Semitism has gone unchecked, the persecution of others has been present or not far behind. Defeating anti-Semitism must be a cause of great importance not only for Jews, but for all people who value humanity and justice….”
—U.S. Department of State, Contemporary Global Anti-Semitism Report, March 13, 2008


Prejudice against or hatred of Jews — known as antisemitism — has plagued the world for more than 2,000 years.




A woman sits on a park bench marked “Only for Jews.” Austria, ca. March 1938. —USHMM #11195/Institute of Contemporary History and Wiener Library Limited

Around the world today, there is an increase in antisemitism, including hate speech, violence targeting Jews and Jewish institutions, and denial, minimization, and distortion of the facts of the Holocaust. Militant Islamic groups with political power use language suggestive of genocide regarding the State of Israel. The president of Iran declared the Holocaust a “myth” and said Israel should be “wiped off the map.” The president of Venezuela accused Israel of attempting to carry out “genocide” against the Palestinian people. Throughout Europe, far-right ultranationalist parties—with openly antisemitic and racist messages—made significant gains in recent parliamentary elections. And in the United States, imagery and language of the Holocaust are frequently misappropriated to make a point or promote an agenda.

In the aftermath of the moral and societal failures that made the Holocaust possible, we must remain alert to antisemitism, hatred, and all forms of bigotry.

Read more about antisemitism »
Read more about Holocaust denial »




In February 2007, a Jewish memorial to the Holocaust was defaced and nearly 300 Jewish graves desecrated in Odessa in southern Ukraine. —Photo courtesy European Jewish Press



Voices on Antisemitism

An audio series and podcast service that features a broad range of perspectives about antisemitism and hatred today. Guests include Elie Wiesel, Cornel West, Robert Satloff, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Faiza Abdul-Wahab, and Daniel Craig. Join us every other week to hear a new program.
More about the series »


Current episodes:



Rabbi Gila Ruskin
Rabbi shares faith, culture with largely black student body.


Mazal Aklum
Reflections of an Ethiopian Jew.



Exhibits


A Dangerous Lie: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
This special exhibition explores the continuing impact of the most widely distributed antisemitic publication of modern times.
Read more about the Protocols »
View animated timeline from 1964 to the present »
Watch a video about the exhibit »
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اُردو »


Online Exhibition Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race
In the early 20th century, as science and technology were becoming more prevalent, the “science” of eugenics began to provide a basis for defining Jews as biologically inferior.
Learn more »


State of Deception: The Power of Nazi PropagandaThis groundbreaking exhibition reveals how the Nazi Party used modern techniques as well as new technologies and carefully crafted messages to sway millions with its vision for a new Germany.