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One of the oldest instances of anti-Semitic claims was made in the first century AD by Apion who claimed Jews sacrificed Greeks in their temple in a type of accusation known as a "blood libel".  

One of the oldest instances of anti-Semitic claims was made in the first century AD by Apion who claimed Jews sacrificed Greeks in their temple in a type of accusation known as a "blood libel".  

The "Blood libel" myth reappeared in England in 1144, after [[William of Norwich]] was found murdered. William was called a martyr and created a second wave of anti-semitism, this time in Europe. It was mostly popularized with the story of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, and was even present in the [[Canterbury Tales]]. This continued on for many centuries until modern times. This "blood libel" accusation has survived the centuries and is today seen in [[Muslim]] anti-Semitic propaganda.

The "Blood libel" myth reappeared in England in 1144, after [[William of Norwich]] was found murdered. William was called a martyr and created a second wave of anti-semitism, this time in Europe. It was mostly popularized with the story of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, and was even present in the [[Canterbury Tales]]. This continued on for many centuries until modern times. This "blood libel" accusation has survived the centuries and is today seen in [[Islam]]ic anti-Semitic propaganda.

 

==Middle Ages==

==Middle Ages==

In the [[Middle Ages]], Catholics blamed Jews for the death of Jesus Christ. This fueled Christian antipathy against Jews in most of Europe. This also led to rumors that Jews "desecrated the host" (tortured [[communion]] bread as per the [[Catholic]] doctrine of [[transubstantiation]]), and that they "poisoned the wells", leading to the [[Black Death]]. It didn't help that Christians expelled practitioners of Judaism from various places. Professing Jews were expelled from England in 1290, from France in 1306, and from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1496. (Those who converted to Christianity could remain.) Many went to Holland and Poland.  Napoleon removed most of the restrictions that kept Jews in ghettoes in Germany.

In the [[Middle Ages]], Catholics blamed Jews for the death of Jesus Christ. This fueled Christian antipathy against Jews in most of Europe. This also led to rumors that Jews "desecrated the host" (tortured [[communion]] bread as per the [[Catholic]] doctrine of [[transubstantiation]]), and that they "poisoned the wells", leading to the [[Black Death]]. It didn't help that Christians expelled practitioners of Judaism from various places. Professing Jews were expelled from England in 1290, from France in 1306, and from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1496. (Those who converted to Christianity could remain.) Many went to Holland and Poland.  Napoleon removed most of the restrictions that kept Jews in ghettoes in Germany.

==1800-1914==

==1800-1914==

===New nationalism===

===New nationalism===

 

Secular nationalism became a trend in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As a result, anti-Semitism was transformed in the 19th century from a matter of religion to a matter of language and culture. Each "nation" rediscovered its historic language and culture and tried to establish a national homeland.  However, this did not remove old biases against Jews in Europe. In most cases Jews were excluded or distrusted, and were not treated as part of the cultural center but as part of the periphery. Anti-Semitic references were common in the popular literature of both the 19th and early 20th centuries. It became more "scientific", and often connected with pseudo-scientific racial theories. The most notable example being the theory of [[evolution]].

Secular nationalism became a trend in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As a result, anti-semitism was transformed in the 19th century from a matter of religion to a matter of language and culture. Each "nation" rediscovered its historic language and culture and tried to establish a national homeland.  However, this did not remove old biases against Jews in Europe. In most cases Jews were excluded or distrusted, and were not treated as part of the cultural center but as part of the periphery. Anti-Semitic references were common in the popular literature of both the 19th and early 20th centuries. It became more "scientific", and often connected with pseudo-scientific racial theories. The most notable example being the theory of [[evolution]]

===Germany===

===Germany===

===Russia===

===Russia===

Alone among the major European nations, Russia in the 19th century did not emancipate its Jewish subjects. Popular anti-Semitism (which had an anticapitalist bias) proceeded from, and flourished with the support of, anti-Jewish laws and official policies that tried either to forcibly integrate Jews into or to segregate them from the rest of Russian society - especially rural society. Pogroms –systematic slaughters of thousands of Jews in certain areas—happened in clusters, as in 1881-82 and 1905–06, and were related to severe political crises involving the issue of Jewish emancipation.

Alone among the major European nations, Russia in the 19th century did not emancipate its Jewish subjects. Popular anti-Semitism (which had an anticapitalist bias) proceeded from, and flourished with the support of, anti-Jewish laws and official policies that tried either to forcibly integrate Jews into or to segregate them from the rest of Russian society - especially rural society. Pogroms – systematic slaughters of thousands of Jews in certain areas — happened in clusters, as in 1881-82 and 1905–06, and were related to severe political crises involving the issue of Jewish emancipation.

===Italy===

===Italy===

==1914-1945==

==1914-1945==

Anti-Semitism was the core belief of [[Adolf Hitler]] and the Nazis (National Socialists), helping them gain power in Germany in 1933 and leading to their murder of 6 million Jews during the [[Holocaust]] of World War II.

Anti-Semitism was the core belief of [[Adolf Hitler]] and the Nazis (National Socialists), helping them gain power in Germany in 1933 and leading to their murder of six million Jews during the [[Holocaust]] of World War II.

In the 1920s [[Henry Ford]]'s newspaper, ''The Dearborn Independent'', reprinted the false ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion|Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. Ford publicly apologized to Jews.

In the 1920s [[Henry Ford]]'s newspaper, ''The Dearborn Independent'', reprinted the false ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion|Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. Ford publicly apologized to Jews.

Following World War II there was a steady decline of anti-Semitism, and a virtual disappearance of discrimination against Jews, in North America and Western Europe. Despite an apparent resurgence in Russia and Eastern Europe after the collapse of communism and occasional outbreaks elsewhere, anti-Semitism outside the Middle East by the early 1990s was only one - and a relatively minor - type of the xenophobia found in multiethnic, multicultural societies.  

Following World War II there was a steady decline of anti-Semitism, and a virtual disappearance of discrimination against Jews, in North America and Western Europe. Despite an apparent resurgence in Russia and Eastern Europe after the collapse of communism and occasional outbreaks elsewhere, anti-Semitism outside the Middle East by the early 1990s was only one - and a relatively minor - type of the xenophobia found in multiethnic, multicultural societies.  

Anti-Semitism was in total disrepute after the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945.  After 1945 Anti-Semitism was not significantly greater in Germany than in Britain or France. For some years after 1945 the overwhelming majority of Jews in Germany were refugees and displaced persons from the East. Most of them emigrated to Palestine, Israel, North and South America, or Australia, leaving behind small numbers who would not or could not leave. Some German Jews had "assimilated" and were criticized by Eastern Jews as being too lax in their religious observance, but all Jews faced problems arising from questions of reparations and remembrances of the Holocaust. [[West Germany]] admitted its guilt and made large scale financial reparations to Israel. [[East Germany]], however, denied everything, opposed Israel and promoted anti-Semitism.  

Anti-Semitism was in total disrepute after the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945.  After 1945 Anti-Semitism was not significantly greater in Germany than in Britain or France. For some years after 1945 the overwhelming majority of Jews in Germany were refugees and displaced persons from the East. Most of them emigrated to Israel, North and South America, or Australia, leaving behind small numbers who would not or could not leave. Some German Jews had "assimilated" and were criticized by Eastern Jews as being too lax in their religious observance, but all Jews faced problems arising from questions of reparations and remembrances of the Holocaust. Democratic [[West Germany]] admitted its guilt and made large scale financial reparations to Israel. Communist [[East Germany]], however, denied everything, opposed Israel and promoted anti-Semitism as the Nazis before them had.  

===United States===

===United States===

Republican President [[Richard Nixon]] hurt his reputation after recordings of informal conversations laden with racial slurs and invective known as the [[Watergate Tapes]] were made public. These informal comments  about Jewish control of the media and calling Robert Vesco "a cheap kike" among other comments suggested to Nixon critics that his views were informed by a mistrust of Jewish culture.<ref>http://hnn.us/articles/657.html</ref>  Nixon defenders note his support of [[Israel]] during the [[Yom Kippur War]] and his many Jewish friends and associates such as [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Herb Stein]] and others.<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/1003783/</ref>

Republican President [[Richard Nixon]] hurt his reputation after recordings of informal conversations laden with racial slurs and invective known as the [[Watergate Tapes]] were made public. These informal comments  about Jewish control of the media and calling Robert Vesco "a cheap kike" among other comments suggested to Nixon critics that his views were informed by a mistrust of Jewish culture.<ref>http://hnn.us/articles/657.html</ref>  Nixon defenders note his support of [[Israel]] during the [[Yom Kippur War]] and his many Jewish friends and associates such as [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Herb Stein]] and others.<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/1003783/</ref>

In 1958 the [[American Nazi Party]] was founded by [[George Lincoln Rockwell]], who is known for his holocaust denial and rasscist positions.

In 1958 the [[American Nazi Party]] was founded by [[George Lincoln Rockwell]], who is known for his holocaust denial and racist positions.

In 1984 [[Democratic]] presidential candidate, and noted liberal, [[Jesse Jackson]] uttered anti-Semitic slurs to reporter for the ''Washington Post'' when discussing the state of African-American and Jewish relations, which had been a key [[New Deal Coalition]] for half a century. Jackson is reported to have referred to Jews as "Hymies", and to New York City as "Hymietown".  Jackson apologized, but it was never forgotten.<ref>[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=187440 Jesse and the Jews], Michael W. Hirschorn, ''The Harvard Crimson'', March 05, 1984.</ref>  Mayor Ed Koch even said that any Jews who vote for Jackson in 1988 were "crazy".

In 1984 [[Democrat Party]] presidential candidate, and noted liberal, [[Jesse Jackson]] uttered anti-Semitic slurs to reporter for the ''Washington Post'' when discussing the state of African-American and Jewish relations, which had been a key [[New Deal Coalition]] for half a century. Jackson is reported to have referred to Jews as "Hymies", and to New York City as "Hymietown".  Jackson apologized, but it was never forgotten.<ref>[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=187440 Jesse and the Jews], Michael W. Hirschorn, ''The Harvard Crimson'', March 05, 1984.</ref>  Mayor Ed Koch even said that any Jews who vote for Jackson in 1988 were "crazy".

==Modern anti-Semitism==

==Modern anti-Semitism==

During the [[Gulf War]] of 1991 anti-Semites alleged the United States was being used to fight Israel's wars.<ref>[http://newint.org/features/2004/10/01/conspiracism/ ''Zog ate my brains''], [[Chip Berlet]], New Internationalist, October 2004.</ref>

During the [[Gulf War]] of 1991 anti-Semites alleged the United States was being used to fight Israel's wars.<ref>[http://newint.org/features/2004/10/01/conspiracism/ ''Zog ate my brains''], [[Chip Berlet]], New Internationalist, October 2004.</ref>

:Beginning in 2000, verbal attacks directed against Jews increased while incidents of vandalism... surged. Physical assaults including beatings, stabbings and other violence against Jews in Europe increased markedly, in a number of cases resulting in serious injury and even death. Also troubling is a bias that spills over into anti-Semitism in some of the [[leftist|left-of-center]] press and among some intellectuals.  

:Beginning in 2000, verbal attacks directed against Jews increased while incidents of vandalism... surged. Physical assaults including beatings, stabbings and other violence against Jews in Europe increased markedly, in a number of cases resulting in serious injury and even death. Also troubling is a bias that spills over into anti-Semitism in some of the [[leftist|left-of-center]] press and among some intellectuals.  

:The United States is frequently included as a target of such attacks, which often assert that U.S. foreign policy is made in Israel or that Jews control the media and financial markets in the United States and the rest of the world. ...Similarly, allegations that Jews were behind the [[9/11]] attacks were widely disseminated, especially in the Muslim world.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism], U.S. Department of State Report to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on International Relations, Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005.</ref>  

:The United States is frequently included as a target of such attacks, which often assert that U.S. foreign policy is made in Israel or that Jews control the media and financial markets in the United States and the rest of the world. ...Similarly, allegations that Jews were behind the [[9/11]] attacks were widely disseminated, especially in the Islamic world.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism], U.S. Department of State Report to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on International Relations, Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005.</ref>  

In the United States, [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Senator [[Ernest Hollings]] was recently ostracized for public criticism of the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040506-20051231re_/http://hollings.senate.gov/~hollings/opinion/2004506A17.html Bush's failed Mideast policy is creating more terrorism], U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Charleston Post and Courier, 6 May 2004.</ref> considered to be anti-Semitic.<ref>[http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4496_12.htm Anti-Semitism: USA, ADL Urges Senator Hollings to Disavow Statements on Jews and the Iraq War], ADL Press Release, New York, 14 May 2004.</ref> On March 3, 2003 Rep. [[James Moran]] (D-Va.) said, "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this".<ref>[http://judaism.about.com/library/2_antisemitism/bl_moran_iraq.htm Are Jews Behind the War on Iraq?] A Case of Classical Anti-Semitism.</ref> Moran has since made further anti-semitic comments.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601570.html Democrats Play House To Rally Against the War], Dana Milbank, ''Washington Post'', June 17, 2005.</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402171.html</ref>

In the United States, [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Senator [[Ernest Hollings]] was recently ostracized for public criticism of the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040506-20051231re_/http://hollings.senate.gov/~hollings/opinion/2004506A17.html Bush's failed Mideast policy is creating more terrorism], U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Charleston Post and Courier, 6 May 2004.</ref> considered to be anti-Semitic.<ref>[http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4496_12.htm Anti-Semitism: USA, ADL Urges Senator Hollings to Disavow Statements on Jews and the Iraq War], ADL Press Release, New York, 14 May 2004.</ref> On March 3, 2003 Rep. [[James Moran]] (D-Va.) said, "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this".<ref>[http://judaism.about.com/library/2_antisemitism/bl_moran_iraq.htm Are Jews Behind the War on Iraq?] A Case of Classical Anti-Semitism.</ref> Moran has since made further anti-semitic comments.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601570.html Democrats Play House To Rally Against the War], Dana Milbank, ''Washington Post'', June 17, 2005.</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402171.html</ref>

Some supporters of the anti-[[Iraq War]] movement have been accused of anti-Semitism, including a group known as ANSWER-[[Act Now to Stop War and End Racism]], one of the first organizations formed to protest the policies of the Bush administration after 9/11.<ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/the-%E2%80%98answer%E2%80%99-question-poses-difficult-choices/ "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005.</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20041019075845/http://www.tikkun.org/magazine/index.cfm/action/tikkun/issue/tik0305/article/030512a.html Authoritarianism and Anti-Semitism in the Anti-War Movement?]. ''Tikkun'', May/June 2003. Link is to page on the Internet Archive, archived Oct 19, 2004.</ref>

Some supporters of the anti-[[Iraq War]] movement have been accused of anti-Semitism, including a group known as ANSWER-[[Act Now to Stop War and End Racism]], one of the first organizations formed to protest the policies of the Bush administration after 9/11.<ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/the-%E2%80%98answer%E2%80%99-question-poses-difficult-choices/ "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005.</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20041019075845/http://www.tikkun.org/magazine/index.cfm/action/tikkun/issue/tik0305/article/030512a.html Authoritarianism and Anti-Semitism in the Anti-War Movement?]. ''Tikkun'', May/June 2003. Link is to page on the Internet Archive, archived Oct 19, 2004.</ref>

Liberal activist [[Cindy Sheehan]], though she found popular support among [[leftist]]s and the mainstream media, was condemned for her outspoken anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.<ref>[http://www.davidduke.com/index.php?p=350 Why Cindy Sheehan is Right!], David Duke, 8/14/2005.</ref>  Sheehan traveled to [[Venezuela]]  <ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism] U. S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005.</ref> to appear with Venezuelan dictator, [[Hugo Chavez]] to denounce U.S. foreign policy which she blames as responsible for the death of her son.

Liberal activist [[Cindy Sheehan]], though she found popular support among [[leftist]]s and the mainstream media, was condemned for her outspoken anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.<ref>[http://www.davidduke.com/index.php?p=350 Why Cindy Sheehan is Right!], David Duke, 8/14/2005.</ref>  Sheehan traveled to [[Venezuela]]  <ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism] U. S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005.</ref> to appear with Venezuelan dictator [[Hugo Chavez]] to denounce U.S. foreign policy which she blames as responsible for the death of her son.

Former [[President of the United States|U.S. president]] [[Jimmy Carter]] has recently come under much criticism for his writings and comments that have been viewed as anti-semitic. In his book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid", Carter endorsed Islamic terrorism against Israel as a tactic to achieve political ends. The sentiment was widely criticized by people across the political spectrum. In early 2007, it was revealed that Carter once complained there were "too many Jews" on the U.S. government's Holocaust Memorial Council. The council's former executive director, Monroe Freedman, also revealed that a noted Holocaust scholar who was a Presbyterian Christian was rejected from the council's board by Carter because the scholar's name "sounded too Jewish." <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article53954.html</ref>

Former [[President of the United States|U.S. president]] [[Jimmy Carter]] has recently come under much criticism for his writings and comments that have been viewed as anti-Semitic. In his book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid", Carter endorsed Islamic terrorism against Israel as a tactic to achieve political ends. The sentiment was widely criticized by people across the political spectrum. In early 2007, it was revealed that Carter once complained there were "too many Jews" on the U.S. government's Holocaust Memorial Council. The council's former executive director, Monroe Freedman, also revealed that a noted Holocaust scholar who was a Presbyterian Christian was rejected from the council's board by Carter because the scholar's name "sounded too Jewish." <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article53954.html</ref>

While the contemporary American left's hatred for Jews and Jewish traditions has been documented, others who were on the right have been ostracized by conservative commentators. [[William F. Buckley]], Jr., founder and publisher of the ''National Review'' said of [[Reform Party]] presidential candidate and former Nixon speechwriter [[Patrick Buchanan]], "I find it impossible to defend Pat Buchanan against the charge that what he did and said during the period under examination amounted to anti-Semitism…" referring to comments Buchanan made regarding the U.S. involvement in the first [[Gulf War]] which lead to military action against [[Saddam Hussein]] and [[Iraq]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n24_v43/ai_11810753 In search of anti-semitism], William F. Buckley, Jr., ''National Review'', Dec 30, 1991.</ref>  

While the contemporary American left's hatred for Jews and Jewish traditions has been documented, others who were on the right have been ostracized by conservative commentators. [[William F. Buckley]], Jr., founder and publisher of the ''National Review'' said of [[Reform Party]] presidential candidate and former Nixon speechwriter [[Patrick Buchanan]], "I find it impossible to defend Pat Buchanan against the charge that what he did and said during the period under examination amounted to anti-Semitism..." referring to comments Buchanan made regarding the U.S. involvement in the first [[Gulf War]] which lead to military action against [[Saddam Hussein]] and [[Iraq]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n24_v43/ai_11810753 In search of anti-semitism], William F. Buckley, Jr., ''National Review'', Dec 30, 1991.</ref>  

The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain increased by 34 percent in 2006.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290187,00.html Increase in Anti-Semitic Violence Troubles Jews in Britain] by Donald Snyder, Fox News, July 20, 2007</ref>

The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain increased by 34 percent in 2006.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290187,00.html Increase in Anti-Semitic Violence Troubles Jews in Britain] by Donald Snyder, Fox News, July 20, 2007</ref>

Anti-semitism has been growing rapidly at a phenomenal rate in Liberal countries, especially European countries.  

Anti-semitism has been growing rapidly at a phenomenal rate in Liberal countries, especially European countries.  

It has also been growing amongst liberals in the United States of America, The Institute for Jewish & Community Research, did a study of who is anti-Semitic, and found that people who identify as Democrats are consistently more likely to believe any anti-Semitic belief than are Republicans. The data from the survey also revealed a connection between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. This is important since liberals are more likely to be anti-Zionist than conservatives. The study found that the young, who are more likely to be liberal, are also more likely to be Anti-semites than people over age 35. The study found that more than 75% of Democrats hold at least one anti-semitic belief. According to the study 20% of Democrats believe Jews care only about themselves<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=30503</ref>

It has also been growing amongst liberals in the United States of America, The Institute for Jewish & Community Research, did a study of who is anti-Semitic, and found that people who identify as Democrats are consistently more likely to believe any anti-Semitic belief than are Republicans. The data from the survey also revealed a connection between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. This is important since liberals are more likely to be anti-Zionist than conservatives. The study found that the young, who are more likely to be liberal, are also more likely to be anti-Semites than people over age 35. The study found that more than 75% of Democrats hold at least one anti-Semitic belief. According to the study 20% of Democrats believe Jews care only about themselves.<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=30503</ref>

Recently, [[liberal]] [[Agnosticism|agnostic]] [[Richard Dawkins]] (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]) came under criticism for saying that the Religious Jews monopolize control over the American government.

Recently, [[liberal]] [[Agnosticism|agnostic]] [[Richard Dawkins]] (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]) came under criticism for saying that the Religious Jews monopolize control over the American government.