In recent years, the rise of digital antisemitism has become a troubling trend that is spreading globally. From hateful propaganda on social media platforms to Holocaust denial websites, there is a concerning normalisation of anti-Jewish sentiment online that is seeping into the real world with dangerous consequences.
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The information warfare is very real. I’ve had to block people who seemed to harass me simply for being into Judaism. I have witnessed how Palestinian propaganda is Goebbelian in nature, and yet, barely anyone seems to be educated enough to tell when information is weaponised. People will let the media manipulate their emotions; and often the new propaganda overrides the education they received at school about the Nazi Holocaust. Despite all efforts, the public have easily become antisemitic really fast. Politicians are making profits out of war.
One of the main reasons for the increase in digital antisemitism is the anonymity and accessibility of the internet. People can hide behind pseudonyms and fake profiles while spreading hateful messages without facing any consequences. This has emboldened individuals and groups to express their antisemitic views more openly, leading to a normalisation of hate speech that can quickly spread and influence others.
People think that October 7th was not brutal, but it certainly was, marking a pivotal moment that shook the foundations of our beliefs about safety and humanity. Then we have some Christians claiming they are the “new Israel” and invalidating Jewish people’s existence, a stance that not only marginalises an entire community but also deepens societal divides. The world is hectic, mad, and dangerous as never before; political tensions are rising, and misinformation spreads like wildfire, leaving many in a state of confusion and fear. These are dark ages, where compassion seems to be overshadowed by strife, and the basic tenets of coexistence are challenged daily, urging us to reconsider how we engage with one another in a rapidly changing landscape.
Social media platforms, in particular, have become breeding grounds for antisemitism. Posts demonising Jews or denying the Holocaust are not only allowed to stay up but often go viral, reaching a wide audience and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Algorithms that prioritise engagement and controversial content only exacerbate the issue, pushing antisemitic messages further into the mainstream. It is happening in Telegram group chats. There are horrible stickers which demonise the Jew, and these cartoons are similar to Nazi cartoons published just before World War II. A decade ago, all this would have been unacceptable. But since jihadist propaganda spread, it has shockingly become hypernormalised to hate the Jewish people.
Rabbi Shraga Simmons (Aish, 2024) explained how digital platforms such as Wikipedia are currently being weaponised against Israel and the Jewish people, highlighting the alarming trend of misinformation and biased narratives that often distort historical facts and present a skewed portrayal of events. This manipulation of online resources not only undermines the integrity of educational platforms but also fosters a climate of misunderstanding and hostility towards Israel. By examining specific examples, Rabbi Simmons sheds light on the broader implications of such digital warfare, urging the Jewish community and supporters of Israel to remain vigilant and proactive in countering these narratives with truth and factual evidence. Furthermore, my Youtube channel was banned after I posted a short video of my Tanakh. I was accused of “Spam”. Clearly, this was an injustice, and a great loss for me.
The problem is how this digital antisemitism leads to direct discrimination and hate crime against Jews all over the world. The consequences of this digital antisemitism are far-reaching and troubling. It can fuel real-world violence and discrimination against Jewish individuals and communities. In the past few years, we have seen a rise in hate crimes targeting Jews, including deadly attacks on synagogues and verbal harassment on the streets. The normalisation of antisemitism online only serves to validate these hateful actions and make them seem more acceptable to those who hold prejudiced views.
For instance, recently an Italian restaurant refused to serve a Jewish couple as a result of antisemitic information about the war in Gaza. They were told by the hotel manager: “Good morning. We inform you that the Israeli people as those responsible for genocide are not welcome customers in our structure” (The Associated Press, Market Beat, 2024). They had used Booking.com to make the reservation, and this incident naturally led the Booking company to remove the specific hotel from their services, and even the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs investigated the situation.
It is crucial that we address this issue head-on and work towards combating digital antisemitism. Social media companies must take a stronger stance against hate speech on their platforms and enforce their community guidelines more rigorously. Education and awareness campaigns can also help to debunk myths and stereotypes about Jewish people, promoting understanding and tolerance instead.
Ultimately, it is up to all of us to stand up against digital antisemitism and all forms of hate speech. By actively challenging and calling out antisemitic rhetoric whenever we encounter it, we can help to create a more inclusive and welcoming online environment for everyone. Let us work together to dismantle the normalisation of antisemitism and build a world where discrimination and hatred have no place.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been in power for over two decades now, and during that time he has been criticised for his handling of various issues, including his record against antisemitism. While there have been instances of antisemitic rhetoric and incidents in Russia under Putin’s rule, it would be unfair to paint him as an antisemite or to ignore the positive steps he has taken to combat hatred towards the Jewish community.
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One of the most notable actions Putin has taken to address antisemitism in Russia is the passing of legislation that criminalises hate speech and incitement to violence against any ethnic or religious group, including Jews. This law has been used to prosecute individuals who have made antisemitic comments or threats, sending a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in Russian society.
In addition to legal measures, Putin has also made efforts to foster dialogue and cooperation with Jewish communities in Russia. He has met with Jewish leaders, attended Jewish events, and even participated in Holocaust memorial ceremonies. This engagement with the Jewish community has helped to build trust and mutual respect between the government and Jewish citizens.
On the international stage, Putin has spoken out against antisemitism and Holocaust denial. He has condemned neo-Nazi movements and has expressed support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. This stance has earned him praise from Jewish organisations and leaders around the world.
Of course, there have been instances where Putin’s government has been accused of turning a blind eye to antisemitism or of using antisemitic rhetoric for political gain. These incidents are concerning and should not be overlooked. However, it is important to recognise that overall, Putin has taken steps to combat antisemitism and protect the rights of Jewish people in Russia.
In conclusion, while there is room for improvement, Putin’s record against antisemitism is not all negative. He has enacted laws to punish hate speech, engaged with Jewish communities, and spoken out against antisemitism on the global stage. It is important to acknowledge both the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain in the fight against antisemitism in Russia.
Antisemitism, or hatred and prejudice towards Jewish people, has sadly been a recurring issue throughout history. While it is often associated with Christian and European societies, it is important to also acknowledge that Islamic antisemitism is a very real and significant problem that cannot be ignored.
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Islamic antisemitism can take various forms, from the denial of the Holocaust to the propagation of conspiracy theories about Jewish people controlling the world. These beliefs are often rooted in misinterpretations of religious texts or fuelled by political tensions in the Middle East.
One common misconception that fuels Islamic antisemitism is the belief that Jews and Muslims are perpetual enemies due to historical conflicts. While it is true that there have been conflicts between these two groups in the past, it is crucial to remember that peaceful coexistence is not only possible but has been a reality for many Jews and Muslims throughout history.
Furthermore, it is important to recognise that antisemitism goes against the core values of Islam. The Quran emphasises the importance of respect and tolerance towards all people, regardless of their religion or background. Prophet Muhammad himself had close relationships with Jewish communities and advocated for peaceful coexistence.
It is essential for Muslims to challenge and combat antisemitism within their communities. This can be done through education, promoting interfaith dialogue, and standing up against hateful rhetoric and actions. By fostering understanding and empathy, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and harmonious society for all.
In conclusion, Islamic antisemitism is a serious issue that must be addressed and confronted. By promoting tolerance, understanding, and respect, we can work towards eradicating hatred and building a more peaceful and inclusive world for all.
According to Adorno et al. (2019, p. xxiii), ‘the psyche of a fascist is “authoritarian” in the sense that it attaches itself to figures of strength and disdains those it deems weak. It tends toward conventionalism, rigidity, and stereotypical thinking; it insists on a stark contrast between in-group and out-group, and it jealousy patrols the boundaries between them’. This article will introduce the psychology behind Vladimir Putin’s actions against Ukraine during early 2022. It will also draw from Adorno et al. (1950) in order to teach about the intersection of psychology and politics. Topics such as narcissism, totalitarianism, and antisemitism will be covered with special attention to the current crisis Ukranian Jews are facing as a result of Russia’s declaration of war.
Introduction
Putin invaded Ukraine on the 24th February, 2022. The next day, on the 25th February, Putin threatened the world with potential nuclear warfare. He stated: ‘Whoever tries to hinder us, and even more so, to create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate. And it will lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history’ (Gollom, 2022). Next, he placed his nuclear deterrence team on high alert two days later blaming the UK for it (BBC News, 2022)’. Many other news flooded the Internet:
Russia captured the Chernobyl nuclear plant (Reuters, 2022a)
Russia captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant but Ukraine denied it (Daily Sabah, 2022).
Russia hit a nuclear waste disposal site (Tirone, 2022).
Russia unleashed a special Islamic death squad against Ukraine (Blair, 2022).
The news (Singh, 2022; Newman, 2022) also highlighted who supported Russia and who Supported Ukraine:
Venezuelan President Maduro supported Putin.
Ex-president Trump called Putin ‘smart’.
Belarus allowed Russia to attack Ukraine from their territory.
Anonymous— the hacker group— declared cyberwarfare against Russia.
China blamed the US for “escalating” tensions over Ukraine.
Pakistani president Khan supported Putin.
Syria pledged support to Russia.
Myanmar supported Russia.
Cuba supported Russia.
North Korea supported Russia.
Eritrea supported Russia.
The European Union and the rest of the world stood with Ukraine.
Antisemitism & Totalitarian Narcissism
According to Shaw (2014, p. 55) ‘traumatizing narcissists (including those […] labeled “malignant narcissists”) create totalitarian systems in which their malignant envy and paranoid fears, defended against with delusional omnipotence and bolstered by self-righteous rage and hatred, merge to shape a contemptuous agenda to enslave, control, and annihilate others, if not literally then figuratively. They defend their projects as morally justified, for the greater good. The narcissist is convinced that his selfish, cruel agenda is in fact a generous, compassionate offer of enlightenment and liberation, conducted under his superior auspices for the benefit of the rest of the inferior world. With this kind of traumatizing narcissism, all is self-righteousness and sanctimony, but nothing is sacred, no boundaries are respected’.
It was not long ago that Parker (2018) made an attempt to defend Putin’s government as not antisemitic; however, now that we have seen Putin’s desperate attempt to restore the Soviet Union, and his hatred against the Jewish president of Ukraine, it has never been clearer that if Putin showed any love towards the jews in the past, it was merely a facade and a trick of impression management. ‘The Vladimir Putin government and regime could be reasonably expected to be officially and virulently anti-semitic. Both the major regimes that preceded it, the Soviet Union and the Romanov dynasty, were officially anti-semitic and actively persecuted Jews inside their territory, often singling them about above other minorities for special mistreatment […] In reality, however, the Putin government is not offcially anti-Semitic’ (Parker, 2018). Maybe it was not officially antisemitic in 2017 when Parker published this article, but the same cannot be stated for 2022 when Putin’s overt offensive tactics became transparent. It seems, not much has changed since ‘Cold War theorists of totalitarianism such as Hannah Arendt were promoting the view that Nazism and Soviet Communism were variants of the same ideological and political form’, (Adorno et al., 2019, p. xxxv). It is also clear from Parker’s paper that Putin has been accusing Ukraine of being antisemitic for a while now, an excuse he used to initiate what was to become a grim episode of European warfare.
Furthermore, the Russian news reported that the Russian Ministry of Defence wanted to punish Kyiv leaders for ‘humiliation and torture’ and that each of them would ‘be tracked down and inevitably and properly punished’ (TASS, 2022). According to them, this was done to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine. However, what really has been conducted is an attempt at de-jewfication, as Ukraine’s president is Jewish (his grandfather survived the holocaust; Veidlinger, 2022), and so are many people in Ukraine. For instance, the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (2022) states that there is an enlarged population of 140,000 Jews in Ukraine, and that the largest population centres for the Jewish community are Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Odessa, all cities that were targeted early in the invasion:
Russia attacked Kharkiv and caused a lot of damage (Henley, 2022)
Moreover, according to Marsden (2022), ‘against the backdrop of the rising tensions, Ukraine hosted the European Jewish Association’s (EJA) antisemitism conference that centered around the commemoration of Babi Yar in which 33,701 of Kyiv’s Jews were gunned down by the Nazis, the biggest single massacre of Jews during the Holocaust’. On the 1st March 2022, Russia announced ‘high precision strikes’ (Kingsley, 2022) and went on to attack the Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Centre in Ukraine, an action which the Jerusalem Post (2022) described as villains ‘killing Holocaust victims for the second time’.
It was also stated in the Marsden (2022) news article that Jews in Ukraine were warned in January to evacuate as a Russian invasion was suspected. Also, just as commemorations of the Holocaust were due on the 27th January, 2022; Russia’s threat was looming all over Ukraine, and for Ukranian Jews, this became ‘a mental note to stay vigilant, plan for the worst — and prepare to move fast out of harm’s way amid growing fears of an invasion by the hundreds of thousands of Russian troops that President Vladimir Putin has amassed in recent weeks along the border’ (Liphshiz, 2022). And indeed, the Russian aggression took place, displacing many Jews, as well as many other people and children. ‘Under totalitarian rule, anti-Semitism is no longer a matter of primary hostilities on the part of the people and of truly spontaneous actions. It is an administrative measure which uses existing prejudices and, to an even higher degree, psychological dispositions’ (Adorno et al., 2019, p. XLViii).
Based on all of the above information, it can be hypothesised that there is an antisemitic element in Russia’s attack against Ukraine, including the specific targeting of Jewish infrastructure in Babi Yar. Finally, Adorno et al. (1950, p. 3) state that: ‘(1) that anti-Semitism probably is not a specific or isolated phenomenon but a part of a broader ideological framework, and (2) that an individual’s susceptibility to this ideology depends primarily upon his psychological needs’.
Marsden, (2022) ‘Ukraine’s Jews warned to be ready for evacuation if Russia invades’, Jerusalem Post, 26 January [Online]. Available at https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-694629 (accessed 28 February 2022).
Parker, B. (2018) ‘Putin’s Chosen People: Theories of Russian Jewish Policy, 2000-2017’, The University of Pennsylvania Journal of Philosophy, Politics & Economics, vol 13:1, article 5 [Online]. Available at https://repository.upenn.edu/spice/vol13/iss1/5/ (accessed 27 February 2022).
TASS (2022) ‘Kiev regime’s leaders to be inevitably punished – Russian Defense Ministry’, 27 February [Online]. Available at https://tass.com/defense/1412703 (accessed 28 February 2022).
