The New Blood Libel

The shattered windows of Temple Emanu-el, still boarded over two months after the attack, serve as a stark reminder of the escalating anti-Semitic violence in the Western world. This incident feels particularly personal to many people, underscoring the pervasiveness of this issue.

In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend: synagogue shootings, vandalized synagogues, and violent protests targeting Jews and Jewish institutions. This phenomenon is not isolated to any one country or region; anti-Semitic attacks are becoming more brazen and deadly by the day, from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Michigan’s Jewish preschools.

In March, a plot to commit mass-casualty attacks on Jewish institutions in Los Angeles and New York was thwarted by federal prosecutors. The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s driving this surge in anti-Semitism? One possible explanation lies in the increasingly blurred lines between anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric.

Critics of Israeli policy often depict the country’s prime minister as a modern-day Judas, perpetuating ancient myths about Jews’ supposed role in ritual murder and dismemberment. These tropes may seem semantic, but they have real-world consequences. The response to Nicholas Kristof’s column in The New York Times is a case in point.

While critics argue that Kristof’s allegations of Israeli prison abuse are based on shaky evidence and dubious sources, the damage has already been done. By perpetuating the myth of Jewish perfidy, Kristof has contributed to a climate where anti-Semitic violence can flourish. The town of El Burgo, Spain, is a telling example.

The “Burning of Judas” tradition, which replaced Christ’s betrayer with an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April, showcases the ease with which anti-Semitism masquerades as anti-Zionism. When protesters stage mock Thanksgiving dinners featuring Netanyahu and other world leaders as cannibals, they’re indulging in a disturbing form of hate speech.

Local politicians’ formulaic responses – “This is not who we are” – ring hollow when repeated after each incident. It’s time to acknowledge that anti-Semitism has a long history and a persistent presence in our societies. We can no longer pretend that these attacks are isolated incidents or the work of lone individuals.

The evidence suggests otherwise: anti-Semitic violence is on the rise, fueled by a toxic mix of hate speech, misinformation, and a failure to acknowledge the historical roots of this hatred. As we confront this complex issue, one thing is clear: the consequences of inaction will be dire.

Jewish institutions are not just targets – they’re also symbols of a community’s resilience and determination to thrive despite adversity. It’s time for us to confront the reality of anti-Semitism head-on, rather than hiding behind empty platitudes or pretending it doesn’t exist.

The fate of Temple Emanu-el’s windows serves as a stark reminder that we can no longer afford to ignore this crisis. As we move forward, let’s remember that anti-Semitism has no place in our societies – and that the only way to prevent further violence is to confront its roots and address it with courage and conviction.