Throughout history, Jews have been victims of massacres, expulsions, discrimination, hatred, and other harms under the guise of false justifications, such as deicide, the poisoning of wells, blood libels, or the claim that they are an inferior race. Read more at…

LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Let us say no to antisemitism

Therefore, the first step to avoiding these outrages against the innocent is to dismantle the various narratives used to justify such evil.

Read HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HARMING? Let us dismantle the narratives justifying cruelty

DISMANTLING UNJUST JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE VICTIMIZATION OF JEWS

From the 19th century onwards, new conspiracy theories emerged, such as the claim that Jews wanted to rule the world or that they controlled the global economy or the media, fueling mistrust and hatred toward them. All of this was done without providing any evidence, yet many people believe rumors without questioning them.

Read FOR A WORLD WITHOUT HARM: Let us be rational and avoid poisonous dogmatism

These theories have also been used as justifying narratives for the abuse of Jews; since we know that mistreating others is wrong, some kind of excuse becomes necessary.

For this reason, absurd and even contradictory pretexts have been used, as Jewish people have been accused of being capitalists and communists at the same time, of being a closed community and of being rootless cosmopolitans…

They have been hated and harmed in so many different places and eras that one might think there was perhaps some legitimate reason for it, that perhaps they were an abusive people.

But when one looks deeper, it is clear that this is not the case. The only thing that might have some semblance of sense is the issue of usury, but even that is not clear at all. Many of the loans made in the past were likely high-risk, as centuries ago there were no mortgages or guarantees like in modern times. The higher the risk, the fairer it is for interest rates to be higher, just as happens today.

In any case, borrowers were free to accept or decline financing with high interest rates. No one forced them to do so, and therefore they were responsible if they later could not repay their debts along with the interest. It is very easy to blame others for one’s own actions and decisions.

Unlike some Roma communities (though not all, nor all members within them), where the majority of members were or even are currently abusive toward non-Roma people, Jews were not and are not like that. Therefore, what has been done to them is very unjust… and continues to be done.

Read THE ART OF LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Roma, be honest with non-Roma. Non-Roma, treat respectful Roma well

For example, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is currently used as a reason to express hatred against Jewish people in general, to harass them, and even to demand their total expulsion from Israel. It is legitimate (and a moral duty) to criticize the Israeli government for its abuses against innocents, but those who only do so with Israel and not with Hamas are biased and not playing fair, as this terrorist and fundamentalist organization also violates the human rights of innocents, including other nationalities and even children.

On the other hand, there are multiple wars and conflicts across different continents where outrages are also committed, such as the genocide in Sudan, the oppression of the Uyghurs, and the wars in the Congo and other African countries. Some result in a much higher number of victims. Why, then, is there silence regarding those while there is such an obsession with Israelis?

Because it is a matter of identity and following the herd wherever it goes. For this reason, we will never or almost never see them denouncing atrocities committed by Muslims, as they are arbitrary, lack impartiality, and use double standards.

Read THE REVOLUTION OF LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Let us not follow the herd to cause harm

Read LET US LIVE WITHOUT HARMING! Let us be impartial and not use double standards

In fact, some studies conclude that most people who apply the aforementioned double standards (usually far-leftists or Muslims) are also antisemitic.

Furthermore, there continues to be an envy effect toward the many successful Jews (in business, science, art, professional fields, etc.) and the lynching effect of scapegoating.

Read LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: No to the lynching of scapegoats

LET US BE AWARE OF ANTISEMITIC AGGRESSION

In recent years, violent acts against Jews have increased in various countries, such as France or Germany, primarily perpetrated by Muslims and the far-right, as well as harassment from far-leftists.

So much so that in 2018, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights interviewed 16,395 Jews and concluded that:

1. Antisemitism has become so common that most victims no longer bother to report incidents.
2. 28% said they had experienced some form of harassment in the last 12 months; 2% were physically assaulted.
3. 38% have considered the possibility of emigrating during the last five years due to concerns about their safety.

In fact, quite a few have been forced to emigrate to safer places.

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

What can we do to combat the above?:

1.- Do not be antisemitic or anti-Jewish, and when we encounter someone who is, try to convince them to stop.

2.- Educate children in tolerance, respect, justice, and kindness.

Read HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HARMING? Let us be tolerant

Read FOR A WORLD WITHOUT HARM: Let us respect others

Read THE ART OF LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Let us be just

Read “Dodecalogue of Kindness”

3.- Maintain historical memory so that future generations remain aware of the consequences of hatred and intolerance toward innocents.

4.- Pressure authorities to act with sufficient firmness against antisemitic aggression and harassment.

5.- Promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue to dismantle prejudices.

6.- Encourage social networks and media outlets to denounce and remove antisemitic content.

Thank you for collaborating.