Source: Nick Fewings/Upsplash

“Someone who hates one group will end up hating everyone and, ultimately, hate themselves.” —Elie Wiesel

You could say that our society is less prejudiced than ever: less racist, transphobic and sexist, with less stigma attached to mental health. We added protections for people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and gave more power to historically marginalized voices. Unfortunately, a prejudice persists: that against the Jewish people.

And yet, even some of today’s most liberal and progressive voices not only refuse to denounce it but, in a mixture of irony and hypocrisy, are now fueling the hatred and discrimination they claim to oppose. .

To understand why this type of hatred is on the rise while virtually all other forms of hatred have declined, we need to delve deeper into the psychology behind it.

Ancient roots of anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism refers to prejudice or hostility directed against Jews. Helen Fein, founder of the Institute for the Study of Genocide, defines it as “a latent and persistent structure of hostile beliefs toward Jews as a collective, manifested…in social or legal discrimination, political mobilization against Jews or collective or state violence.” “.

Often described as “the oldest hatred,” anti-Semitism predates any Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It predates our modern society by thousands of years and continually adapts to changing cultural and political landscapes. Historically, Jews have been blamed for many of the world’s worst tragedies, from the false accusation that Jews killed Jesus and the blood libel myth, to medieval plagues, to the Spanish Inquisition, to the Revolution French and World War I, to the atrocities of Nazism during World War II and in its modern forms.

Although anti-Semitism has had many faces throughout history, its underlying characteristics of scapegoating, conspiracy, and dehumanization remain. Each era may bring new rhetoric and justifications, but the central narrative remains unchanged.

Understanding Hate

At its core, hatred is an intense emotional response, often rooted in ignorance and fear. From an evolutionary perspective, it was likely developed as an adaptive response to threats. While this might have protected our cave-dwelling ancestors, in today’s interconnected world it often has destructive consequences. Let’s explore the psychological dynamics behind this hatred and bigotry, and how they can become so virulent against a single group.

Intra-group/out-group phenomenon and fear of the other

Prejudice often stems from stereotypes that reduce individuals to symbols of a threatening outgroup. This fear, which sometimes reflects our own insecurities, perpetuates a cycle of hatred. When an out-group is seen as a threat, people feel personally unsafe, because they equate it with a threat to their own group. The stereotype that Jews control wealth and power fits perfectly into this narrative. Such simplistic thinking often leads to the generalization of negative traits. The qualities attributed to an individual – or, in today’s world, to a government – ​​are unfairly extended to the entire group. Viewing Jews as a homogenous entity dehumanizes individuals within this group. It is much easier to hate a group, a category or a nation than a human being.

The role of conspiracy theories

Anti-Semitism thrives on conspiracy theories, in part because they offer simple explanations for chaotic and troubling global phenomena like financial crises, political instability, and more recent events such as 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19. They give believers a false sense of control and certainty. These myths are particularly dangerous because they reinforce pre-existing prejudices.

A recurring accusation is that Jews secretly control global financial systems and world events. A notorious example is the fabricated text The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, published in 19th-century Russia, which falsely claimed to describe Jewish plans for world domination, depicting Jews as an unfairly advantaged group with more influence and resources than others.

This annoying trope has fueled many conspiracy theories, including the “Great Replacement Theory,” on full display during the 2017 Charlottesville riots, where neo-Nazis chanted, “Jews will not replace us.”

Modern manifestations of anti-Semitism

A common form of contemporary anti-Semitism involves targeting Israel, often seen as representative of global Jewry. Although criticism of the Israeli government is not inherently anti-Semitic, it crosses the line when it escalates into harassment and discrimination of individuals or entire communities on the basis of their ethnic or religious identity.

And this is how those on the far left manifest their anti-Semitism, according to the American ambassador and special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, Deborah Lipstadt. She explains how far-right extremists, such as neo-Nazi groups, openly and aggressively express their hatred of Jews, while those on the far left “cover their anti-Semitism under political arguments.”

How can we explain the most secret and insidious forms of anti-Semitism, particularly those which go unnoticed by their perpetrators? How can otherwise reasonable and intelligent individuals fall prey to prejudice and hatred, often without even recognizing their own biases? How do good people get caught up in hateful speech and the alienation of entire groups of people?

Implicit bias

Psychologist Joel Weinberger highlights the concept of implicit biases, that is, biases that operate below the level of awareness. He explains that people can engage in discriminatory behaviors without realizing it, because these attitudes are often deeply rooted in cultural norms and stereotypes. This bias can manifest itself in everyday interactions as subtle exclusion, stereotyping, or unequal treatment. These prejudices are often reinforced by seemingly innocuous media representations or societal myths. Implicit bias helps us understand why some people engage in discriminatory actions or speech while denying they are biased.

Cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance, or the discomfort that arises when one has conflicting thoughts or feelings, can prevent people from recognizing their bigotry. If people believe they are “good” or “moral,” admitting their racist or anti-Semitic views would create discomfort, leading them to rationalize or reject their behavior. Those who engage in anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric may claim that they are simply expressing valid concerns or opinions. They rationalize using the term “Zionist” to refer to Jews without any awareness of the false differentiation.

What we can do

By expanding our understanding of the troubling stories of all groups and recognizing the devastating consequences that occur when hatred and discrimination go unchecked, we can take steps to foster a more compassionate world.

To begin with, we must avoid generalizing about individuals or groups based on the actions of a few or the policies of a government. Such reasoning can never justify the harassment, violence or persecution of individuals or entire communities. When activism turns into collective blame or scapegoating, it undermines the very principles of justice and equality it seeks to uphold.