What is established
Centuries of hostility
Jews were accused of deicide, blood libel and well-poisoning; crusaders massacred Jewish communities in 1096; Jews were expelled from England (1290) and Spain (1492). Luther's late writings against Jews were later exploited by the Nazis.
The Holocaust
Six million Jews were murdered. In the Netherlands about 102,000 of 140,000 Jews were killed — one of the highest proportions in Western Europe. Some Christians resisted and hid Jews; many churches stayed silent.
Today
Antisemitic incidents rose sharply in Europe after 7 October 2023, according to monitoring organisations such as CIDI in the Netherlands.
Where people differ
- There is debate about where criticism of Israeli policy becomes antisemitism; the IHRA working definition is widely used but also criticised. Criticism of policy is not in itself antisemitic; denying Jews a right to exist or holding all Jews responsible is.
Biblical reflection
Jesus was a Jew, His mother and apostles were Jews. Hatred of Jews is hatred of His family. Repentance for the past means vigilance now — in our sermons, our jokes and our news.
Scripture: Romans 9:1–5; 11:18; Matthew 25:40
Questions readers ask
Is criticism of Israel antisemitic?
Not in itself. It becomes antisemitic when it demonises Jews collectively, denies Israel's right to exist, or uses classic antisemitic tropes.
Sources
Related explainers
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