New Languages, New Antisemitisms? Conference March 24-26

By Randy Pinsky

“The world’s oldest hatred” is how many would describe antisemitism; a form of discrimination against the Jewish community which merely mutates in different forms and public expressions. Israel had not yet responded to Hamas’ murderous rampage on October 7^th when demonstrations were already condemning the Jewish state. The level of undisguised hate against Israel and often as an extension, the Jewish people, was reminiscent of a past era, one which many had hoped was behind them. 

On March 24-26, 2025 a group of international scholars hosted by the Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies (Concordia University), Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and the Post-Graduate Program in Social History (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), explored these issues - and more. Topics covered included: What is the new form of antisemitism? How does it play out? And lastly - what can be done about it?

An Ever-Present Problem

According to Israeli scholar Ilan Troen of Brandeis University, “instances of antisemitism can be identified throughout much of recorded history, notably since ancient Egypt.” While the context and manifestations have differed, anti-Jewish sentiment has been alarmingly omnipresent.

With the resurgence of antisemitism on college campuses and in the streets, often as anti-Israel sentiment, the topic deserves further exploration. Indeed, rates of discrimination and intimidation have skyrocketed since October 7. Although many protesters claim their qualms are against Israel’s actions in Gaza in response to Hamas’ murderous attack and not the Jewish community per se, harassment at Jewish centers, synagogues and schools suggest otherwise.

In “A New Grammar for a New Antisemitism,” co-chair Michel Gherman of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro described how this latest iteration reduces complexity in favor of simplified notions of good and evil. This trend, exacerbated by decontextualization, has become normalized and seeks to justify actions, with conspiracy theories gaining in popularity. 

Always On the Outside Looking In

David Engel of New York University noted how throughout history, irrespective of location, rate of assimilation, or role played, Jews have been the target of persecution and othering - even when the allegations contradict one another. 

For instance, on the one hand, Jews were regularly accused of both having “too little faith in divine power [yet also] too much irrational belief” on the other. Their economic endeavours were condemned for a simultaneous “laziness [in conjunction with] too energetic a pursuit of wealth.” 

A key source for anti-colonial and anti-Israel arguments was the landmark 1978 book Orientalism written by Palestinian-American academic Edward Said, mentioned by several of the speakers. Though his writings have been exposed for some factually problematic and faulty claims, it has had an enormous influence, particularly for activists protesting in the streets. 

At its essence, Said proposes a simplistic outlook of oppressor vs oppressed, focusing on othering and colonialism. In his view, Jewish people who had previously been scorned for not being ‘white enough’, were now Too white, an aspect contemporarily translated as having ‘white privilege.’ This accusation is often launched against Israelis, claiming they are European white colonists attempting to subjugate the ‘indigenous Palestinians’. This claim obscures the fact that Jewish people have had a continuous presence in the land of Israel for over 3,000 years, in addition to the reality that almost half of Israelis originate from neighbouring Arab countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Yemen and Syria. In spite of several inconsistencies and stretched similarities, Said’s work continues to influence those protesting Israel, often extending to aggresing the local Jewish communities. 

Impacts on Holocaust Education

A conversation on antisemitism cannot take place without making reference to the Holocaust, the most horrific culmination of Jew-hatred. In the field, there is the debate if the discipline should remain distinct due to its unique context, or if it should be studied alongside other instances of mass persecution. 

While there are merits to both approaches, there are concerns about implications. According to Havi Dreifuss of Tel Aviv University, “what initially emerged as an academic approach aimed at understanding broader patterns of state-sponsored mass violence has, in certain contexts, evolved into a tool for eroding the Holocaust and, at times, for launching attacks on Holocaust remembrance and Jews themselves.” As a result, aspects of the Holocaust can be distorted, claiming Holocaust studies attempts to “overshadow” and diminish the suffering of other groups.

In other cases, she noted, there is denial and historical revisionism, calling it institutional violence with little to no mention of the Jewish aspect. Others will use it for purposes of political manipulation, such as claiming Israel only exists as ‘compensation for the Holocaust’ and accusations of ‘genocide’ in Gaza. Parallels are made to elicit politically expedient reactions, regardless of the lack of intent essential for a genocide definition. “When the comparisons are weaponized against Jews, they constitute a political and moral danger,” stated Dreyfuss. 

The Blue and White Elephant in the Room - Is Anti-Zionism Antisemitism?

This hot button topic was discussed by those present: when does criticism of Israel become antisemitic? Is it when accusations morph into slurs and tropes against the Jewish community? Or is it when the situation devolves into what Israeli politician and Soviet refusenik, Natan Sharansky, calls the three Ds; the Demonization, Double Standards and Delegitimization of Israel?

For many, Zionism has been perverted into a term depicting modern colonialism; a narrative that fits the overly simplistic one of the oppressor vs the oppressed, with little nuance or context. Co-chair Arieh Saposnik of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev critiqued Said’s accusation that Zionism was paramountly focused on ‘the colonization of Palestine’ as opposed to Jewish liberation, renaissance, and self-determination in their historical land. 

He argued that this revisionism to suit a simplistic narrative is one also employed by Areej Khoury in Colonizing Palestine, another influential text. Several of her claims “flatten a complicated history and leave a great deal out of the picture,” said Saposnik. In omitting context and contesting facts, the simplistic narrative neatly supports her arguments. 

“By evading these…components of Zionist identity, and its reworking of what were without question central [to] Jewish identity over many centuries, [Khoury] creates a Zionist strawman composed of European Jews who are indeed foreign interlopers in Palestine, with no past that is bound up with that land,” stated Saposnik. 

Who is Indigenous?

Linked to anti-Israel comments which can morph into antisemitism, is the issue of indigeneity. As noted by Troen, the land “located along a historic route on the Mediterranean coast has never been the home of one exclusive indigenous people. Rather, it has been continuously populated by Muslims, Christian and Jews and others over many centuries.” In fact, Jewish and Christian settlements predated the Muslim conquest, putting into question accusations of colonialism.

“What made the case unusual was the [Jewish people’s] openly declared national, territorial, and political ambitions…[of] changing their status from subordinate dhimmis in the Arab world and a wandering/ exiled/ Diasporic people…to an independent and sovereign people regaining an unprecedented measure of equality and control over their own lives,” said Troen.

Said’s work has often been unquestionably accepted with claims linking Zionism to colonialism. According to Saposnik, Said “asserts Palestinian-Arab indigeneity as a matter of… unproblematic fact, while Jewish notions of collective self, of the centrality of the Land of Israel… are either disregarded as historically irrelevant…[or] somehow falsely… fabricated.”

Why Does Antisemitism Endure?

Many protestors would justify their actions as solely criticism leveled against Israel. But what about comments which are not anti-Israel but anti-Jewish? What about those who openly supported the October 7 attacks as ‘resistance’? 

Susannah Heschel of the University of Pennsylvania explored the concept of “antisemitism as cultural sadism.” She argued that there is emotional motivation and insatiability behind antisemitic acts which merely perpetuates inciting trauma, intimidation and aggression. Emotions can be manipulated to solicit the greatest reaction, often serving to dehumanize Israelis and Jews through conspiracy theories and tropes. 

She observed that the durability and in fact, ‘tenacity’ of antisemitism is due to this sadism, particularly prevalent online. In quoting a former counselor to Trump, she observed, “there are ‘alternative facts’ because there is indeed another reality, the life of the internet where facts do not matter. What matters is the post and the number of ‘hits’ it receives.”

What Can Be Done?

Given the alarming rates of anti-Jewish sentiment, exploring the topic of antisemitism is critical however, even more so, is commiting to developing strategies to address it. While there has been lack of consensus on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, it has been deemed by many as a critical starting point. 

It opens with the premise that “antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred of Jews,” elaborating on the various iterations it can take. According to co-chair Csaba Nikolenyi of Concordia University, beyond defining the parameters of antisemitism, IRHA seeks to empower legislators to develop appropriate responses to incidents.

“As a ‘moral entrepreneur’...[IHRA seeks to] reframe conventional understanding of classical antisemitism, in order to help international society combat and eliminate its rising new forms.” 

Although opposition to the definition is that it precludes any criticism of Israel, Nikolenyi countered that on the contrary, legitimate opposition of policies or the Israeli government is deemed valid. It is only when Israel is held to impossible expectations, treated with double standards, or when Jews are targeted that it is indicative of antisemitism. An example would be inhibiting community members from entering a synagogue as opposed to protesting outside the Israeli consulate. Critiquing Israel’s acts and policies are legitimate, however denying its right to exist and defend itself crosses the line into antisemitism. 

“New Languages, New Antisemitisms”

The next step is for this meeting of the minds to to co-produce an edited volume of their research. Beyond staying in written format, the goal would be to advise responses to what is truly a pernicious daily reality. It is not enough to parallel Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s infamous 1964 comment about pornography, "I know it when I see it." There needs to be identification, concerted investment and action.

“As historians,” reinforced Saposnik. “We work to sharpen tools of analysis to make meaning of the past, make sense of the present - and inform the future.”