Our Objections to Antisemitism Are Not Loud Enough  

In the face of rising antisemitism worldwide, the naysayers among us are constantly telling us this is not Germany in 1939, that now we have our own country and our own army which is enough to protect us. Not true. Truth be told, it is worse than the 1940s was in Europe as it is now worldwide and our army is here in Israel not everywhere in the world.

Why is it worse today? Because in the run up to World War II and during the war itself Jews were not safe pretty much anywhere in Europe. But in the rest of the world that was not the case. Today, an identifiable Jew or Israeli walking on the streets of Manhattan, riding the New York City subway, attending a soccer match in Amsterdam, participating in a community event in Australia, strolling in Thailand or going to synagogue on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, is a potential target of violent antisemitism. Effectively in the eyes of those who hate us, each of us is a potential target wherever we are in the world. That is dramatically different than the world of the 1940s.

As a result, Jews around the world need to do much, much more to combat the hatred that was unleashed on October 7^th and that now manifests itself both in individual attacks and mass demonstrations.

And what about those demonstrations?

• Sydney, August 23, 2025 an anti-Israeli demonstration on the Harbor Bridge drew 50,000-100,000 participants according to police. Why was there no counter protest by 100,000 Jews?
• London, October 21, 2023 a pro-Palestinian protest drew 100,000 participants. Why was there no counter protest by 100,000 Jews?
• Paris, November 29. 2025 a crowd estimated at 50,000 by organizers marched from Place de la République to Place de la Nation, chanting “Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you”, and waving Palestinian flags and signs reading, “Palestine: we will not be silenced” and “Gaza: Stop the genocide.” Why was there no counter protest by 100,000 Jews?

Last month, there was a protest in front of a Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan. Among the protesters’ chants was “Globalize the intifada,” which—recalling that the intifada was an extended campaign of suicide bombings—most Jews interpret as meaning: Target Jews everywhere. Why was there no counter protest by 10,000 Jews?

These chants, attacks, and endorsements are designed to make Jews think twice about gathering with other Jews, going to kosher restaurants, putting a mezuzah on the doorpost of their apartments or dorm rooms, or even wearing a Jewish star around their necks.

And for those who say that these demonstrations are only against Israel, it should be noted that the man who recently shot at a home in Redlands, California because there were Chanukah decorations on the lawn, he did not shout, “We want a two-state solution.” He shouted, “Fuck the Jews.”

The response from Jewish communities worldwide must be to respond in kind. For every demonstration of 10,000 people against Israel, in favor of Gaza or urging globalization of the intifada, a like number of Jewish counter protestors should be in the street saying “No…..this is not ok, and this we will not tolerate.”

Every time a mezuzah is ripped from the doorpost of an apartment or home, the entire community should be urged to put mezuzot on every home, Jewish or not, even if for the non-Jews it is simply a symbolic casing.

Sadly, history has finally caught up with Jews even in the west. While the threat may be more pervasive than it was in the 1940s, we have many more tools available to deal with that threat today and we dare not stand idly by.

Elie Wiesel said “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” Words to the wise at this challenging time for world Jewry.