A Beginner’s Guide to Antisemitism in Today's Progressivism

Some progressive movements have become primary drivers of antisemitism

Progressive movements based in postmodernist identity politics, intersectionality, and critical race theory present themselves as champions of justice and minority rights. Yet in recent years, many Jews have felt increasingly excluded from progressive movements and now see them as primary drivers of antisemitism in society.

How did this happen?

This post is a primer for understanding how some modern progressive ideas contribute to the spread of antisemitism.

An Oppressed Versus Oppressors View of the World

Many modern progressive and postmodern social justice movements are shaped by a simplistic framework that divides society into two camps: oppressors versus the oppressed. Race, gender, and other identities are used to place people into these categories. Since many Jews, especially Ashkenazi Jews, are perceived as white and successful, they are categorized as “oppressors.”

However, Jews are among the most historically persecuted people in the world, and antisemitism remains a present danger. Across history, Jews have faced discrimination, violence, forced exile, and genocide. Yet this history is often ignored in today’s progressive theories.

Jewish experiences also demonstrate that people and groups can be both oppressed and oppress others, simultaneously privileged in ways and marginalized in ways. Jews have been persecuted and discriminated against because of perceptions that they are successful. People and groups are far too diverse, multifaceted, and full of contradictions to be wholly encapsulated by any black-and-white model.

One would expect social justice movements to reject stereotypes and caste systems. Instead, they often reinforce them. By labeling entire groups as inherently privileged or eternal victims, these movements promote moral hierarchies that dismiss individual and real-world experience. Such generalizations are not only inaccurate, they amount to a form of bigotry that hurts everyone, including the very minorities these movements seek to support.

Bari Weiss, author of How to Fight Antisemitism, said: “I just fundamentally believe that we should be fighting for a world in which there are no caste systems, in which people are judged based on their individual merit and character, in which we move from the historical construct of race, rather than reifying it. I just don't think you look at history and believe making people fixated on their immutable characteristics and saying those immutable characteristics have immutable power leads to anywhere good.”

Why Jews Shouldn’t Be Simplified as “White”

Many progressive theories classify Jews as “white” and part of a ubiquitous “white supremacy.” However, the white label distorts and flattens a complex and diverse population.

Jews are a people with Middle Eastern origins and global ethnic diversity. There are Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East, and Jews from Ethiopia, India, Latin America, East Asia, and beyond.

Historically, Jews have been excluded from the white category. In Nazi Germany, they were persecuted as a separate and inferior race. Psychologist Pamela Persesky writes, “In the critical social justice paradigm, Jews, who have never been seen as white by those for whom being white is a moral good, are now seen as white by those for whom whiteness is an unmitigated evil.”

Many Jews and members of other ethnic groups, including East Indians, Armenians, Hispanics, and Persians, reject the generic white label because it is at odds with their historical, ethnic, and cultural identities. Read my earlier post, “Why Ethnicity Is a Better Categorization of People Than Race.”

As Israeli journalist Liel Leibovitz put it: “We are our own thing. If you ask me what Jews are, my answer is, ‘They’re Jewish.’”

What Is Intersectionality, and Why Jews Are Often Left Out

Intersectionality is a theoretical framework in postmodern progressive thought that examines how different forms of discrimination—such as racism, sexism, and homophobia—overlap and intensify each other. It was developed to better understand how people with multiple marginalized identities experience the world.

However, intersectionality regularly excludes antisemitism. Despite their long history of persecution, Jews are often not seen as marginalized enough to “count.” In fact, intersectionality often views Jews as part of the problem due to perceived privilege and “whiteness.”

Philosophy professor Edward Halper writes, “Anti-Semitism is not a casual aspect of intersectionality: it is the linchpin of the theory.”

The Israel Question, and Why It Gets So Heated

Much of the current tension stems from debates about Israel.

Jews are indigenous to the land of Israel, which has been central to Jewish tradition and thought for thousands of years. Israel is the world’s only Jewish state and a homeland for Jews after centuries of displacement and persecution. Most Jews are Zionists, with Zionism being the belief that Jews have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.

As with any country, Israel’s government can fairly be criticized. Many Israeli Jews express criticism of their government. However, in some progressive movements, criticism of Israel has crossed a line.

Zionism is increasingly treated by many progressives as inherently racist and colonialist. This view falsely depicts Jews as European “white supremacist” invaders with no indigenous ties to the land.

When activists demonize and mischaracterize Zionism, it leads to actions like banning Zionist Jews from LGBT marches, campus groups, and feminist events. To many Jews, this is a rejection of their very identity, not merely a political disagreement.

When Political Criticism Becomes a Mask for Antisemitism

Several progressive politicians and activists have been criticized for invoking antisemitic tropes under the guise of criticizing Israel or supporting Palestinian rights. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar was accused of echoing stereotypes about Jewish financial control with her “It’s all about the Benjamins” tweet. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib faced backlash for remarks seen as distorting Holocaust history. British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership was marred by repeated controversies over antisemitic rhetoric and tolerance of bigotry within the party.

Activists Linda Sarsour and Marc Lamont Hill were criticized for excluding Zionists from feminism and using language perceived as calling for Israel’s destruction. Former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and musician Roger Waters have promoted conspiracies about Zionist control of politics and media, reviving centuries-old antisemitic tropes.

Antisemitism evolves with the times. Instead of talking about “Jewish cabals,” people now say “Zionist lobby” or “global elites.” These coded terms still evoke the idea that Jews secretly control the world. When such ideas come from influential activists and politicians, they gain legitimacy. This gives new life to old conspiracy theories that have fueled persecution for centuries.

When Allies Aren’t Allies

Progressive movements often align themselves with groups they see as fighting oppression. Sometimes these alliances include groups that openly promote antisemitism. Hamas and Hezbollah are Iranian-backed terrorist organizations that call for the destruction of Israel and the killing of all Jews. While one can support Palestinian rights without endorsing Hamas, many activists remove the line.

When Jewish people see this antisemitism excused or ignored, they perceive a dangerous double standard: every group’s safety matters except theirs.

This Needs to Change

This is not to say all progressives are antisemitic. Most are not. However, today’s progressive movements have a growing problem: they have become a significant source and driver of antisemitism, whether intentional and knowing or not.

References

Edward Halper, Progressive Ideology’s Antisemitic Core, Law & Liberty, link

Steven Lubet, How American Progressives Normalize Anti-Semitism, The Hill, link

Jonathan Greenblatt, Anti-Semitism Is Creeping Into Progressivism, TIME, link

Benjamin Kerstein, Antisemitism Is Killing the Progressive Movement, Future of Jewish, link

Michal Shalev, Contemporary Antisemitism in Progressive Movements, Indiana University Law School, PDF

Karin Stogner, Intersectionality and Antisemitism: A New Approach, Fathom Journal, link.

Jonathin Tobin, Think Intersectionality and Critical Race Theory Aren’t a Threat to Jews? Think Again, Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), link

Kathleen Hayes, Book Review: “Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews”, Fathom Journal, link