In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a flood of misinformation clouds the truth. This isn’t just a distant debate; it’s a struggle with real-life consequences, shaping perceptions and affecting communities worldwide. The rising tide of antisemitic rhetoric demands our attention, and it’s crucial to confront these falsehoods with truth and compassion. The impact is deeply personal and far-reaching, harming individuals and communities alike.

Bradley Martin’s article, The Soviet Roots of Far-Left Antisemitism, serves as an essential resource for understanding why antisemitism persists today. The Soviet Union’s Cold War strategy, which included supporting certain Middle Eastern groups and influencing the Palestine Liberation Organization’s charter, wasn’t just about geopolitical maneuvering. It planted seeds of distrust and animosity that continue to affect today’s conflicts and political discourse.

When prestigious universities like Oxford, Columbia, and Yale grapple with antisemitism, it becomes clear how deep and pervasive this problem is. This issue is not merely academic or political; it speaks to how we treat each other as human beings. Understanding the roots of this hatred allows us to address it with the empathy and seriousness it deserves.

The Personal Impact of Antisemitism

Misinformation about Israel and Judaism isn’t just abstract; it has genuine consequences for our communities. Harmful myths like “Zionism is racism” or “Israel is an apartheid state” fuel prejudice, discrimination, and even violence. The often-misattributed quote, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it,” reveals the insidious power of persistent false narratives.

In 2023, the Anti-Defamation League reported a significant rise in antisemitic incidents worldwide, including acts of vandalism and harassment. The defacement of Jewish cemeteries in cities across the globe is not just a random act of hate—it’s a direct result of the spread of lies and misinformation. What may begin as rhetoric has real-world consequences, leading to dangerous cycles of violence and discrimination.

But what drives this hatred? To truly understand, we must delve into the ideologies that fuel these prejudices.

Understanding Ideological Roots

In Not In God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks urges us to consider how ideologies can distort our moral compass, leading us down paths of violence—a phenomenon he terms “altruistic evil.” He explains how extremist groups manipulate our natural desire to do good, twisting noble intentions into harmful beliefs that deepen prejudices.

Rabbi Sacks also examines the “us against them” mentality, which many of us have encountered in different forms. This mindset promotes hostility toward outsiders and encourages scapegoating, trapping communities in cycles of victimhood that stifle growth. By contrasting dualism—seeing the world as a battle between good and evil—with monotheism, which recognizes that each person is capable of good and bad actions, Rabbi Sacks offers a path toward mutual understanding and peace.

Moreover, he explores how antisemitism has been used to justify wrongs against Jews and Israel. These false narratives distort reality and deepen divisions. Rabbi Sacks warns that embracing a victim mentality ultimately undermines our shared humanity, a lesson we must heed as we navigate the complexities of modern life.

Pathways to Reconciliation

While these ideologies can feel deeply entrenched, history shows reconciliation is possible. Rabbi Sacks highlights the historic shift in relations between the Jewish community and the Vatican after the Holocaust as a powerful model for healing. The Nostra Aetate Declaration of 1965 was not just a symbolic gesture; it marked a profound change, demonstrating that even deeply rooted issues can be addressed with courage and dialogue.

In Jewish tradition, the concept of “teshuvah”—repentance or reconsideration—offers a way forward. It reminds us that even the most profound divisions can be healed with sincere effort and commitment. In a world increasingly divided by misinformation and hatred, teshuvah teaches us that reconciliation is always within reach—but only if we are willing to seek it.

Footnote:

1. Martin, Bradley. “The Soviet Roots of Far-Left Antisemitism.” Newsweek, 18 May 2022, www.newsweek.com/soviet-roots-far-left-antisemitism-opinion-1707931.
2. “Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence” by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was published by Schocken Books in 2015.