Rising Antisemitism: A Global Concern Amidst ancient Echoes
In the heart of Munich, the Jewish community center stands as a symbol of resilience, guarded by armed police. Inside, Charlotte Knobloch, acting president of the Jewish Community, shares her deep concerns about the resurgence of modern-day antisemitism. born in the early 1930s,Knobloch vividly recalls the horrors of Kristallnacht,the Night of the Broken Glass in November 1938,when Nazi-led violence shattered Jewish lives and property. “I remember holding my father’s hand and watching Jewish shop windows smashed and synagogues in flames,” she says.
Knobloch’s memories are a stark reminder of a dark past, but her worries are firmly rooted in the present. “Antisemitism never disappeared entirely after the war,” she reflects,“but I hadn’t believed things would become as worrying again as they are now.” Even in Germany, a country that has historically confronted its Nazi past and remained vigilant against antisemitism, the threat looms large.Her concerns are echoed by Jewish communities worldwide. Many now fear wearing the Star of David in public or having Jewish newspapers delivered to their homes, worried about being labelled “a Jew” by their neighbours. This anecdotal evidence is supported by studies from the Community Security Trust in the UK and the EU’s Basic Rights Agency (FRA). According to the FRA, 96% of jews interviewed across 13 European countries report experiencing antisemitism in everyday life.
the issue is not confined to Europe. In South America, Jewish communities report a significant uptick in antisemitism. In Canada, a synagogue was firebombed recently, and a shooting incident occurred at a Jewish school. In the United States,Jewish graves were desecrated in cincinnati last summer.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden identified global antisemitism as a foreign policy concern. Deborah Lipstadt, his special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, highlights the role of online platforms in spreading hate. “Antisemitism online—frequently enough along with Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination—is manipulated by outside actors like Russia, Iran, and China to sow division in society and further their own goals,” she explains.
Lipstadt also points to a global rise in antisemitism following Israel’s military response in gaza,which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.This escalation came after the hamas-led massacre of 1,200 people inside Israel on 7 October 2023.
Key insights on Rising Antisemitism
Table of Contents
- An Interview with Charlotte Knobloch: Confronting the Resurgence of Antisemitism
- Q: Charlotte, you’ve frequently enough spoken about your experiences during kristallnacht.How do those memories shape your perspective on the current rise in antisemitism?
- Q: You’ve mentioned that Germany, despite confronting its Nazi past, still struggles with antisemitism. Can you elaborate on this?
- Q: How does this issue extend beyond Europe?
- Q: What role do online platforms play in spreading antisemitism?
- Q: What can be done to combat this resurgence of antisemitism?
- Concluding Thoughts
| Region | Incidents | Source |
|———————|——————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————-|
| Europe | 96% of Jews report experiencing antisemitism | EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency |
| South America | Significant uptick in antisemitism | Local Jewish community reports |
| canada | Synagogue firebombed, shooting at Jewish school | News reports |
| United States | Jewish graves desecrated in Cincinnati | Local authorities |
| Global | Online antisemitism manipulated by Russia, Iran, and china | deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy |
The resurgence of antisemitism is a complex issue, deeply intertwined with historical trauma and modern geopolitical tensions. As Charlotte Knobloch poignantly reminds us, “We must remain vigilant. History has taught us the cost of silence.”
For more insights on combating antisemitism, explore resources from the Community Security Trust and the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency. Let’s work together to ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.
An Interview with Charlotte Knobloch: Confronting the Resurgence of Antisemitism
charlotte Knobloch, Holocaust survivor and acting president of the Jewish Community in Munich, shares her insights on the alarming rise of antisemitism globally. Born in the early 1930s, Knobloch’s life has been marked by the horrors of the Holocaust and her tireless efforts to combat hatred and intolerance.
Q: Charlotte, you’ve frequently enough spoken about your experiences during kristallnacht.How do those memories shape your perspective on the current rise in antisemitism?
Charlotte Knobloch: Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass in November 1938, remains one of the most traumatic events of my childhood. I remember holding my father’s hand and watching Jewish shop windows smashed, synagogues in flames, and the violence unleashed on our community.Those memories are a stark reminder of what hatred can lead to. Today,when I see the resurgence of antisemitism,it feels like history is repeating itself in subtle but deeply concerning ways. Antisemitism never disappeared entirely after the war, but I hadn’t imagined it would grow as pervasive as it is now.
Q: You’ve mentioned that Germany, despite confronting its Nazi past, still struggles with antisemitism. Can you elaborate on this?
Charlotte Knobloch: Germany has made important strides in acknowledging and addressing its history, but antisemitism remains an everyday threat. Jewish communities here and across Europe face hostility in both overt and covert forms. Many Jews now fear wearing the Star of David in public or having Jewish newspapers delivered to their homes. This isn’t just anecdotal—studies from the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency show that 96% of Jews interviewed across 13 european countries report experiencing antisemitism in their daily lives. It’s a sobering statistic.
Q: How does this issue extend beyond Europe?
Charlotte Knobloch: Antisemitism is a global problem. In South America, Jewish communities report a significant uptick in hostility. In Canada, a synagogue was recently firebombed, and there was a shooting at a Jewish school. In the United States, Jewish graves where desecrated in Cincinnati last summer. These incidents are not isolated—they reflect a broader trend of rising hatred and intolerance.
Q: What role do online platforms play in spreading antisemitism?
Charlotte Knobloch: Online platforms have become a breeding ground for hate. Deborah Lipstadt,the U.S. Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism, has highlighted how antisemitism—often alongside Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination—is manipulated by external actors like Russia, Iran, and China. These entities use online hate to sow division in societies and advance their own agendas. The escalation of antisemitism following Israel’s military response in Gaza is a testament to how quickly hate can spread online.
Q: What can be done to combat this resurgence of antisemitism?
Charlotte Knobloch: We must remain vigilant. history has taught us the cost of silence. Education, awareness, and strong legal frameworks are essential. Organizations like the Community Security Trust and the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency are doing crucial work in monitoring and combating antisemitism. But it’s also up to individuals to speak out against hatred and intolerance. We cannot afford to be complacent.
Concluding Thoughts
Charlotte Knobloch’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Jewish community and the ongoing fight against antisemitism. Her words underscore the importance of vigilance and collective action in the face of hatred. As we confront this modern-day resurgence, her message is clear: “We must remember the lessons of the past to build a more tolerant and inclusive future.”
