Manifestations of Antisemitism
Antisemitic hatred takes many forms, from violent acts such as assault and murder, to legal prohibition, to more subtle forms of social exclusion. In some cases, the antisemitism is state policy or state sanctioned; in other cases antisemitic acts are performed by social groups or individuals.
Antisemitic violence is not limited to physical violence against Jewish people. It includes vandalism or destruction of Jewish property such as homes, synagogues and community centres. It encompasses verbal and non-verbal intimidation and harassment, such as slurs, threats, gestures, abusive language in person, by mail, telephone and other electronic communication. It also includes the dissemination of racist propaganda to incite hatred or violence against Jews. This is the definition of racist violence adopted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s National Enquiry into Racist Violence in Australia (1991, AGPS, Canberra).
1. Physical violence
Physical violence against Jews has spanned over centuries. An early example is the Spanish Inquisition [1478-1834], which involved both the expulsion of Jews [1492] and the burning of other Jews who refused to be baptised as required by royal decree, or who were baptised but were caught practising their Judaism in secret. The waves of pogroms (massacres and riots) against Jewish communities throughout Poland and Russia (1880 - 1950) are another example. The Holocaust [1939-1945] is the major example of systematic mass murder of Jews in the 20th century.
While mass violence directed at Jews has decreased, except in the context of wars against Israel and in the phenomenon of suicide bombings, violence in the form of murder and assault on individual Jews remains a feature of contemporary antisemitism. One notorious case was the torture and murder of 23 year old Ilan Halimi in Paris, in February 2006. Jewish communal leaders have also been targeted and shot at in the course of performing their duties. Others have been attacked simply because they are identifiably Jewish. Even in Australia, there have been a number of instances of serious assault and intimidation of Jews.
2. Destruction of Property
Another manifestation of antisemitism involves deliberate damage to buildings identified as belonging to or being used by Jews. Synagogues and communal centres around the world have been targeted, vandalised and firebombed.
The proliferation of graffiti, predominantly in the form of Nazi imagery, has continued. The effect of this graffiti is confronting and intimidating, preventing targeted groups from the full enjoyment of and participation in society.
3. Discrimination
Treating Jews differently on the basis of their assumed or actual Jewish identity, ie engaging in discrimination, is another manifestation of antisemitism. Discrimination can be direct or indirect. The question is whether a person is disadvantaged in the access to goods and services, education, housing, transport etc.
4. Racial Hatred
Vilification is the use of words and imagery to incite hatred, revulsion or contempt against Jews on the grounds of their religious, cultural and political beliefs.
Caricaturing Jews and repeating old fashioned stereotypes of Jews as money-grubbing and penny-pinching encourages people to believe the stereotype to be true. Perpetuating the myth of the Jewish Conspiracy to achieve world domination is another means of spreading rumours and creating misconceptions that expose Jews to hatred. Publishing and distributing the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion is an enduring example of such vilification. Scapegoating and blaming the Jews for the world’s problems leads to negative perceptions of Jews. Distributing other hate literature containing rumours about Jews helps create an environment in which Jews are marginalised.Denying the Holocaust or accusing Jews of being Nazis desecrates the memory of Hitler’s victims.
In some cases vilification can be subtle, and in others overt. Either way, vilification is offensive in two ways. First, it is hurtful and destructive in its own right. Secondly, vilification creates an environment in which antisemitism is acceptable. By creating the background conditions which legitimise antisemitism, racial hatred is perhaps the most damaging form of antisemitism.
5. Anti-Israel Propaganda
Attacks on the State of Israel, and propaganda demonising Israel, are the most pervasive manifestation of antisemitism in recent times. The terms Zionist & Jew are used interchangeably. The desire on the part of Iran, Hamas and Hizbollah, to ‘push Israel into the sea’ or to ‘wipe Israel off the map’ demonstrate a genocidal intent aimed at the Jewish people. | 
Antisemitism 