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In the wake of the tragic massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia, where Jewish families, including the elderly and children, were brutally murdered at a gathering, the question inevitably arises: why does antisemitism persist, and appear to be growing?
As a college professor myself, I have noticed an increasing number of research positions emerging within American higher education that focus specifically on antisemitism. Undoubtedly tied closely to the Holocaust and World War II, these various centers now appear to be finding a new purpose—one aimed at combating antisemitism in its current form.
The irony is difficult to ignore. Many of these positions exist at liberal institutions of higher learning, some of which lean so closely toward socialism and have long been viewed as cultural trendsetters within academia. Yet these same institutions are increasingly seen as places where hateful rhetoric is not only tolerated, but arguably taught. From Columbia to UCLA, Jewish students have faced harassment and intimidation for years, particularly since the October 7th massacre.
In America and much of the Western world, antisemitism is clearly on the rise, with students and individuals having enough nerve to blatantly showcase their hate. American Jews are on record as feeling unsafe walking the streets of New York, whether heading to class or work.
Where is this hatred deriving from? Clearly, such people, both young and old, have forgotten the horrors of World War II and seemingly never studied the realities of the Holocaust and what occurred. Then, General Dwight Eisenhower’s order that American soldiers see the truth of the Holocaust has disappeared from the descendants of past American heroes. It is unbelievable that descendants of some generations of Americans who saved the world from terror are part of the class now persecuting the Jews. Have we forgotten why we fought to liberate Europe in the first place?
What has become increasingly worrisome is the apparent disdain for Jews from some within the Christian community. Undoubtedly, there are sects of Christianity that proudly stand with Israel, often noting its correlation to end-times or eschatological matters. Yet other groups or individual members are embracing dangerous rhetoric, disturbingly similar to the language once used by Hitler.
Christians, regardless of their denominational makeup or eschatological beliefs, have an obligation to stand against hate and seek to live by the greatest commandment of Christ. The current generation of Americans must remember that it was Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Episcopalian, and other Christians who liberated concentration camps and came to the aid of the dying Jewish population during the Second World War.
Antisemitism is growing at an alarming rate in America. Conspiracy theories and lies are increasingly prominent, placing blame on Jews in the same manner as ordered by Hitler and Nazi Germany.
Some American politicians, granted, small in number, but found in both major parties, are even exhibiting rhetoric that must be considered dangerous to Jews.
As Americans, and as a nation shaped extensively by Christianity, we would do well to remember the words of Karl Barth, the Swiss theologian who was dismissed by Germany for refusing to swear an oath to Nazism during World War II and, upon returning after the war, declared, “There is only one Lord, and this Lord is the Lord of the world, Jesus Christ, who was a Jew.” [1] Barth, through his lectures, warned that after World War II, a Church that turns against the Jewish people has already betrayed the Gospel and forfeited its claim to be the Church.
The rise of antisemitism is a stain on America, but also on the global Church.
Antisemitism is real, and pretending it is a fabricated idea only makes the situation increasingly dangerous.
Does the current generation of Americans, including Christians, possess the courage of Dwight Eisenhower and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to stand against the antisemitism now plaguing the Western world? Time will tell.
History will remember whether we stood firm or remained silent. Moral clarity, especially now, is not optional.
[1] Karl Barth, quoted in Gamechangers: Figures Who Changed the Christian Church (Oxford: Lion Hudson, 2016), 187.