What provokes anti-semitism?

Answer 1

This is an important question. Why is there so much antisemitism (hatred or prejudice against Jewish people) in the world now, and why has there been in the past?

1. We don't know.

2. They have set themselves apart. Jews have been remarkably good at maintaining communities within communities. They have maintained their ethnic and religious identity over many generations instead of becoming part of the cultures in which they live. Groups that set themselves apart always attract prejudice. For example, Italian and Irish immigrants were hated for various reasons by many native-born Americans in the 19th century. As they assimilated into the mainstream American culture they did not face the same prejudice (if for no other reason, just because they can't easily be identified as different). Minority groups that do not or cannot assimilate tend to attract prejudice.

3. They have been very successful. Their cultural values encourage education and material success, and so many of them become wealthy and powerful. This naturally attracts the envy of people who are less successful. Instead of respecting other people for their success, many of us find it easier to think that they had some unfair advantage, or there is a conspiracy, etc. (However, at various times and in various places, such as Eastern Europe in the period c.1800-1945 they were despised because of their poverty!)

4. Not everyone hates Jews, although they certainly have their problems with others in this world. I have Jewish friends and have worked for several Jewish bosses, and they were absolutely wonderful to me. You don't have to believe in another's religion (I'm Protestant) but I always love to see some of the ceremonies of different religions if I am invited and consider it an honor.

5. For a long time the Jews were excluded.

It says above, "They have set themselves apart". This needs comment. In Europe, where antisemitism started, the Jews were for several centuries excluded from ordinary society, shunned and in many countries they were forced to live in small, designated areas of towns called ghettos. They were also banned from most occupations. Of particular significance until a little after 1800 was the fact that they were banned from agriculture, which was by far the most important sector of the economy before the rise of industry. Moreover, they weren't just excluded from mainstream society, they were demonized. All kinds of absurd conspiracy theories were invented about the Jews. They were set apart.

6. Conflict in the Middle East

More recently, conflict between Israel and other countries in the Middle East has led to the rise of anti-Jewish feeling in that region and further afield.

7. Misunderstanding, prejudice and jealousy

The same reasons why some people hate other nationalities, other sex orientations, other religions, etc, etc.

8. Antisemitism is self-perpetuating

It has become a kind of tradition. In particular, conspiracy theories about Jews are often seen as interesting and spicy (even if they are not believed), while conspiracy theories about most other groups are just seen as downright boring and get very little attention.

Answer 2

Joy Hakim, the author of the History of US, suggests some possible beginnings of anti-Semitism, which are:

1. Jews held onto their culture and refused to convert to Christianity
2. Some Christians that believed that anyone that was not Christian (infidels) should be converted or die
3. Many Jews had a high economic status, and many people became jealous of their success
4. The Theory of Evolution was used against Jews (by Hitler and the Nazis) to attempt to prove that Jews were inferior to the Aryan race.

Comment

Answer 2 merrily mixes possible reasons from a wide range of periods. As for 'high economic status', often in many places Jews were despised for their poverty - for example, in Tsarist Russia.