History of Antisemitism in Timeline

Antisemitism is hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews. It can manifest as racial antisemitism, based on the belief that Jews are an inferior race, or religious antisemitism, rooted in religious doctrines that view Judaism as superseded. Racial antisemitism focuses on perceived inherent traits, while religious antisemitism stems from religious views of Jews and Judaism, often promoting the idea of Jews converting to another faith. Anti-Judaism, distinct from antisemitism, has historically fostered the development of both racial and religious forms of antisemitism.

1900: Increased Jewish Migration to America

Around 1900, Jewish migration to America increased, with approximately 1.75 million Jews migrating to America until 1924, primarily from Eastern Europe to escape pogroms. This influx, alongside the upward social mobility of some Jews, contributed to a resurgence of antisemitism.

1907: Death of Moritz Steinschneider

In 1907, Moritz Steinschneider, an Austrian Jewish scholar who first used the term "antisemitische Vorurteile" (antisemitic prejudices) to characterize Ernest Renan's ideas about the inferiority of "Semitic races," passed away. Steinschneider's work is noted for its early usage of the term 'antisemitic'.

1909: Death of Adolf Stoecker

In 1909, Adolf Stoecker, the founder of the anti-Semitic Christian Social Party, passed away. His party's support dwindled after his death, with members joining larger conservative groups.

1910: The New York Times Reported on Karl Lueger's Antisemitism

In 1910, The New York Times noted in Karl Lueger's obituary that he was the 'Chairman of the Christian Social Union of the Parliament and of the Anti-Semitic Union of the Diet of Lower Austria.'

1915: Lynching of Leo Frank

In 1915, Leo Frank was lynched by a mob of prominent citizens in Marietta, Georgia. This incident drew attention to antisemitism in the United States and helped build support for the Ku Klux Klan's renewal, which had been inactive since 1870.

1919: Henry Ford Published The Dearborn Independent

In 1919, Henry Ford began publishing The Dearborn Independent, a newspaper in which he propagated antisemitic ideas. The newspaper was published until 1927.

1924: End of Large Jewish Migration to America

Around 1924, Jewish migration to America slowed down after approximately 1.75 million Jews migrated to America between 1900 and 1924, primarily from Eastern Europe to escape pogroms. This influx, alongside the upward social mobility of some Jews, contributed to a resurgence of antisemitism.

1927: Henry Ford Ceased Publication of The Dearborn Independent

In 1927, Henry Ford ceased publishing The Dearborn Independent, a newspaper in which he propagated antisemitic ideas. The newspaper was published from 1919 to 1927.

1933: Nazi Government Instituted Repressive Legislation

In 1933, shortly after the Nazi Party came to power in Germany, the government implemented repressive legislation that stripped Jews of their fundamental civil rights.

September 1935: Nuremberg Laws Introduced

In September 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were enacted in Germany, prohibiting marriages and sexual relations between "Aryans" and Jews as Rassenschande (race disgrace). The laws also deprived German Jews, including those of mixed ancestry, of their citizenship, designating them as "subjects of the state".

November 1938: Kristallnacht Pogrom

In November 1938, a pogrom known as Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) was carried out in Germany on the night of 9–10 November 1938, resulting in the deaths of Jews, the destruction of their property, and the burning of synagogues.

November 1938: Charles Lindbergh Responded to Kristallnacht

In a diary entry in November 1938, Charles Lindbergh responded to Kristallnacht by expressing his disagreement with the handling of the 'difficult Jewish problem,' thereby acknowledging his agreement with the Nazis' perception of a 'Jewish problem'.

1938: Goebbels Announces German People is Anti-Semitic

In 1938, following Kristallnacht, German propaganda minister Goebbels declared, 'The German people is anti-Semitic' and wished to restrict the rights of Jews.

1940: Charles Lindbergh Opposed Involvement in European War

In 1940, aviator Charles Lindbergh, a leader of the America First Committee, opposed American involvement in the European war, alleging that Jews were pushing the U.S. towards war with Germany.

1941: Germany Initiated Mass Murder Campaign

In 1941, after the start of the war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the Einsatzgruppen initiated a campaign of mass murder against Jews.

1942: The Holocaust Began

From 1942 to 1945, the Nazi regime systematically conducted the Holocaust, a genocide in which approximately six million of the eleven million targeted Jews were murdered.

1943: Stalin's attacks against Jews as "rootless cosmopolitans"

In 1943, Joseph Stalin and his propagandists intensified attacks against Jews, branding them as 'rootless cosmopolitans.' This marked an escalation of antisemitism under the Soviet regime, despite initial condemnations of such prejudice by the Bolsheviks.

1945: The Holocaust Ended

From 1942 to 1945, the Nazi regime systematically conducted the Holocaust, a genocide in which approximately six million of the eleven million targeted Jews were murdered.

1945: Antisemitism Became Pejorative After WWII

In 1945, after the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and the exposure of the Nazi genocide against Jews, the term 'antisemitism' acquired negative connotations. This marked a significant shift from earlier decades when 'Jew' was used as a derogatory term.

1948: Antisemitism Increased in USSR

After 1948, antisemitism in the Soviet Union intensified during the campaign against the "rootless cosmopolitan" (a euphemism for "Jew"), in which numerous Yiddish-language poets, writers, painters, and sculptors were killed or arrested.

1952: The Doctors' Plot

In 1952, the Doctors' Plot, a fabricated conspiracy, accused predominantly Jewish doctors of attempting to assassinate Soviet leaders. This exemplified the resurgence of antisemitism under Stalin's regime, fostering widespread antisemitic sentiments and leading to arrests and executions of Jewish professionals. The Doctors' Plot significantly worsened the persecution of Jews in the Soviet Union.

1952: Doctors' Plot Conspiracy

In 1952, the antisemitic conspiracy theory of the 'Doctors' Plot' emerged in the USSR, marking a peak in antisemitism.

February 1953: Soviet Union severs diplomatic relations with Israel

In February 1953, the Soviet Union severed diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, and state media was soon filled with anti-Zionist propaganda, depicting Jews with negative stereotypes. This action intensified state-sanctioned antisemitism in the post-Stalin era.

1963: Publication of Judaism Without Embellishment

In 1963, the Soviet government published the antisemitic book 'Judaism Without Embellishment,' which echoed Nazi propaganda by alleging a global Jewish conspiracy to subvert the Soviet Union. This marked a new wave of government-sponsored anti-Semitism.

1967: Intensification in Soviet anti-Zionist propaganda after the Six-Day War

In 1967, following the Six-Day War, Soviet anti-Zionist propaganda intensified after the Soviets backed the defeated Arab states. This propaganda often blurred the lines with antisemitism, leading to discriminatory policies against Jews and restricting their emigration. The "corporate Jew" became identified as the enemy.

March 1968: "March 1968 events" in communist Poland

In March 1968, the "March 1968 events" in communist Poland represented further incidents of antisemitism in Europe. These events, along with the Kielce pogrom after the war, resulted in the flight of Polish Jewish survivors from the country and highlighted the persistence of blood libel rumors.

1968: Zionists blamed for subversive activities during the Prague Spring.

In 1968, Zionists were falsely blamed for "subversive activities" during the Prague Spring, as claimed in a memorandum by Ivan Udaltsov. This accusation contributed to the spread of antisemitic sentiments and conspiracy theories within the Soviet Union.

January 1971: Ivan Udaltsov's memorandum blaming Jews for antisemitism

On January 27, 1971, Ivan Udaltsov, chairman of the Novosti Press Agency, published a memorandum to the CPSU blaming Jews for antisemitism. He claimed that "Zionists, by provoking antisemitism, recruit volunteers for the Israeli army" and falsely alleged Zionists were responsible for subversive activities during the 1968 Prague Spring.

1984: Publication of Antisemitism – An Annotated Bibliography

In 1984, De Gruyter Saur began publishing "Antisemitism – An Annotated Bibliography", which later became the Felix Posen Bibliographic Project on Antisemitism. This project aimed to collect and catalog a wide range of materials related to antisemitism, including books, dissertations, articles, visual arts, and Jewish responses.

1984: Yehuda Bauer on Antisemitism

In 1984, Yehuda Bauer remarked that after Hitler, no one would openly identify as an anti-Semite, as the term had become unfashionable due to its association with the horrors of the Holocaust.

1987: Helen Fein Defined Antisemitism

In 1987, Holocaust scholar Helen Fein defined antisemitism as a persistent structure of hostile beliefs towards Jews as a collective. This definition includes manifestations in individuals' attitudes, cultural myths, ideologies, folklore, imagery, and actions like discrimination, political mobilization, and violence, all aimed at distancing, displacing, or destroying Jews as Jews.

1988: End of Anti-Zionist Committee of the Soviet Public's propaganda campaign

In 1988, the Anti-Zionist Committee of the Soviet Public concluded a large-scale propaganda campaign, overseen by the KGB since 1967. This campaign spread antisemitic conspiracy theories, falsely claiming Zionist Jews collaborated with the Nazi regime in the Holocaust and exaggerated the scale of anti-Jewish persecution.

1999: Failed bomb attack on the Bolshaya Bronnaya Synagogue

In 1999, there was a failed bomb attack on the Bolshaya Bronnaya Synagogue in Moscow. This was one of multiple antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish sites in Eastern Europe.

2003: Natan Sharansky developed 'Three D' Test

In 2003, Israeli politician Natan Sharansky introduced the 'three D' test to differentiate antisemitism from legitimate criticism of Israel. This test identifies delegitimization, demonization, and double standards as indicators of antisemitism.

2004: Gustavo Perednik on Anti-Zionism

In 2004, Jewish scholar Gustavo Perednik argued that anti-Zionism is a form of discrimination against Jews, by delegitimizing Jewish national aspirations and suggesting actions that could lead to the death of millions of Jews.

2005: European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) Working Definition

In 2005, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) developed a detailed working definition of antisemitism, defining it as a perception of Jews expressed as hatred, directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, their property, Jewish community institutions, and religious facilities. The definition noted that criticism of Israel, like criticism against any other country, is not antisemitic. It also provided examples of antisemitic manifestations, including promoting harm to Jews, negative stereotypes, collective responsibility, Holocaust denial, accusations of dual loyalty, and attacks on Israel that deny Jewish self-determination or apply double standards.

2005: United States Department of State Definition

In 2005, the United States Department of State defined antisemitism for its Report on Global Anti-Semitism as 'hatred toward Jews—individually and as a group—that can be attributed to the Jewish religion and/or ethnicity.' This definition acknowledges the lack of a universally accepted definition but clarifies the term for the report's purpose.

2006: Bernard Lewis Defines Antisemitism

In 2006, Bernard Lewis defined antisemitism as prejudice, hatred, or persecution directed against those who are different, but with unique characteristics: judging Jews by different standards than others and accusing them of cosmic evil. Hatred or persecution of Jews is not necessarily antisemitic unless it exhibits these features.

2006: Neo-Nazi stabbing at the Bolshaya Bronnaya Synagogue

In 2006, a neo-Nazi stabbed 9 people at the Bolshaya Bronnaya Synagogue in Moscow, marking one of several violent attacks against Jews in Eastern Europe.

March 2008: U.S. State Department report on increased antisemitism

In March 2008, a report by the U.S. State Department found an increase in antisemitism across the world, noting the persistence of old and new expressions of antisemitism.

2008: Economic crisis and the rise of far-right political parties

In 2008, the economic crisis led to a rise in far-right political parties, resulting in an increase in antisemitic acts, including attacks on Jewish memorials, synagogues, and cemeteries, as well as physical assaults against Jews.

2009: Attack against a menorah by extremist Christian organization in Moldova

In 2009, an extremist Christian organization attacked a menorah in Moldova, contributing to a series of antisemitic incidents in Eastern Europe.

2010: EUMC working definition adopted by the European Parliament Working Group on Antisemitism

In 2010, the European Parliament Working Group on Antisemitism adopted the working definition of antisemitism developed by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC).

2011: Exhibition at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

According to a 2011 exhibition at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, dialogue from Middle East media and commentators about Jews bears a striking resemblance to Nazi propaganda.

2011: Pew Research Center survey on opinions of Jews

In 2011, a survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that Muslim-majority Middle Eastern countries held significantly negative opinions of Jews, with very low percentages of Egyptians, Lebanese Muslims, and Jordanians reporting a positive view.

2012: U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor report on antisemitism

In 2012, a report by the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor noted a continued global increase in antisemitism and found that Holocaust denial and opposition to Israeli policy were sometimes used to promote or justify blatant antisemitism.

2013: Publication of Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition

In 2013, David Nirenberg published 'Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition,' tracing the history of antisemitism and arguing that it is embedded within Western thought and society, stemming from claims of Jewish deicide and depictions of Jews as 'Christ-killers'.

Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition

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2013: End of De Gruyter Saur's print publication

In 2013, De Gruyter Saur ceased the print publication of "Antisemitism – An Annotated Bibliography". The Felix Posen Bibliographic Project on Antisemitism continued as an electronic resource, containing around 50,000 items related to antisemitism, Jewish self-hate, Jewish responses, and philosemitic works.

2014: ADL Global 100: An Index of Anti-Semitism

In 2014, the Anti-Defamation League conducted a study titled 'ADL Global 100: An Index of Anti-Semitism,' reporting high antisemitism figures globally, finding that as many as "27% of people who have never met a Jew nevertheless harbor strong prejudices against him".

2014: EUMC working definition adopted in the UK College of Policing

In 2014, the EUMC working definition was adopted in the Operational Hate Crime Guidance of the UK College of Policing.

2015: US State Department report on religious freedom

In 2015, a report by the US State Department on religious freedom declared that 'European anti-Israel sentiment crossed the line into anti-Semitism,' reflecting a concerning trend of conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

2016: IHRA adopted the working definition

In 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) adopted the EUMC working definition of antisemitism. The IHRA definition has since become controversial, with critics arguing it has been used to censor criticism of Israel.

2017: United States Department of State Adopted EUMC Definition

In 2017, the United States Department of State adopted the working definition of antisemitism developed by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC).

2019: Religiously motivated murders by individuals motivated by Black Hebrew Israelitism

Between 2019 and 2022, individuals motivated by Black Hebrew Israelitism committed five religiously motivated murders.

February 2021: Nexus Document Published

In February 2021, the Nexus Document was published as one of two new definitions of antisemitism in response to the perceived lack of clarity in the IHRA definition.

March 2021: Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism Published

In March 2021, the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism was published. It was one of two new definitions of antisemitism published in response to the perceived lack of clarity in the IHRA definition.

2021: AP Stylebook Adopted Unhyphenated Spelling

In 2021, the Associated Press and its accompanying AP Stylebook officially adopted the unhyphenated spelling of 'antisemitism.' Subsequently, style guides for news organizations like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, as well as Holocaust museums such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Yad Vashem, followed suit in adopting the unhyphenated spelling.

September 2022: Report on Extremism on Black Hebrew Israelitism

In September 2022, the Program on Extremism at George Washington University published a report which said the largest threat came from "individuals loosely affiliated with or inspired by the movement" of Black Hebrew Israelites, rather than from formal members of organizations.

2022: American Jewish Committee statement on Black Hebrew Israelites

In 2022, the American Jewish Committee stated that the Black Hebrew Israelite claim that "we are the real Jews" is a "troubling anti-Semitic trope with dangerous potential."

2022: Accusations against Jews for the economic crisis

In 2022, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, accusations against Jews for the economic crisis were made, along with traditional and religious motives for antisemitism. Jason Stanley connected these perceptions to historical narratives, noting the myth that Jews employ the Holocaust to seize the victimhood narrative.

2023: Increased antisemitism after Hamas-led attack on Israel

After the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October, antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crimes around the world increased significantly. Multiple universities and university officials have been accused of systemic antisemitism.

May 2024: US House of Representatives votes on IHRA definition of antisemitism

On May 1, 2024, the United States House of Representatives voted 320–91 in favor of adopting a bill enshrining the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into law. This was in response to the increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses, although some opposed the bill, claiming it conflated criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

August 2024: Israeli Ministry of the Diaspora announces antisemitism monitoring project

In August 2024, the Israeli Ministry of the Diaspora announced a new antisemitism monitoring project to measure levels of antisemitism in various countries, identify instigators and trends, and potentially intervene with local governments if antisemitism becomes severe.