Israeli special envoy for combating antisemitism warns of ‘mainstream lethal hate’

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, antisemitism has been on the rise globally. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported over 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. alone between Oct. 7, 2023, and Oct. 6, 2024, marking the highest number of incidents ever recorded in a single year since 1979.

In the wake of the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, protests erupted on university campuses and in major cities around the world. Shockingly, just one day after the tragic events, a crowd gathered in Times Square to celebrate the attackers and condemn the victims. This display of antisemitism was a stark reminder of the hatred that still exists.

Israel’s special envoy for combating antisemitism, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, has warned of a “global tsunami” of antisemitism, with anti-Zionism emerging as a new form of this dangerous ideology. She emphasized that the same antisemitism that fueled the atrocities on Oct. 7 is now fueling the responses to those atrocities, creating a vicious cycle of hate.

Cotler-Wunsh believes that the normalization of antisemitism poses a threat not only to Jewish people but to humanity as a whole. She stressed the importance of institutions adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to combat this rising tide of hate.

The IHRA definition clarifies that while criticizing Israel is not inherently antisemitic, claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavor crosses that line. By adopting this definition, countries and institutions can better identify and address antisemitic behavior.

Enforcing rules and policies against antisemitism is crucial, but Cotler-Wunsh also highlighted the need for consistent application of these measures. She pointed out instances where professors praised or downplayed antisemitic attacks, calling for institutions to crack down on such violations.

Ultimately, the fight against antisemitism is not just a Jewish issue—it is a global concern that threatens the freedom and dignity of all individuals. By standing together against hatred and intolerance, we can work towards a more inclusive and peaceful world for future generations.