Contributor: Antisemitism appears from the left and the right, but not equally
The attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, belongs to a terrifying new phase in Israel. Global increase in antisemitism It has reared its ugly head in recent months in the United States, Canada, Europe and, of course, the massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Beach last December. A much greater tragedy was averted in Michigan by the temple’s security and the quick intervention of good fortune.
What is causing this major new increase in antisemitic expressions and actions? This has become a hotly debated and intensely political question in the United States, as both sides of the political spectrum accuse each other of being the chief instigator of this incident. The right accuses the left of having anti-Israel sentiments that combine too easily with anti-Semitism. The left accuses the right of not only weaponizing antisemitism but also harboring neo-Nazis and anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists.
Some observers have tried to nuance the issue by arguing that anti-Semitism exists at both extremes, on the right and the left. They call this approach the horseshoe theory of antisemitism, which suggests that antisemitism can be found equally at both ends of the political spectrum.
We investigate antisemitism as part of the UCLA Hate Research Initiative. We understand the appeal of the horseshoe, but our research shows that the real story is more complex in two important ways. First, by most standard measures, certainly before October 7, 2023, antisemitism was more prevalent on the right than on the left.
The data tends to follow a few general patterns. In some cases antisemitism is relatively low on the left and rising more or less steadily The further one moves to the right on the ideological spectrum. In others, the leftmost exhibits similar or slightly more antisemitic views center than left, resulting in a “hockey stick” or “check mark” pattern. Some analyzes even find a kind of “bell curve.” exhibiting higher levels of antisemitism more than mainstream liberals or conservatives.
However, what is rarest is the classic horseshoe shape, where the far left and far right exhibit similar and uniquely high levels of antisemitism. Most available evidence found significantly higher levels on the far right than on the far left.
It seemed that some new dynamics would emerge after October 7. On the one hand, a number of news agencies noted significant increases in reports of antisemitism. far leftIt is in line with a new definitional scheme that equates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. On the other hand, many anecdotal And statistical reports There is an increase in antisemitic statements on the far right, especially among prominent figures in the American media such as Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. Our unpublished findings from 2025 show that those with “very conservative” views are more likely to support anti-Semitic tropes, while “liberal” respondents are the least likely. It is too early to make a definitive assessment of the state of antisemitism in the post-October period. 7 periods; At the very least, we can say that more evidence is needed to confirm the horseshoe theory than is currently available.
But second, and perhaps more importantly, when trying to make sense of current acts of violence against Jews in the diaspora, we think it is necessary to address the elephant in the room: Israeli military action as a catalyst for antisemitism. This is an extremely sensitive and even dangerous connection that requires caution, even if it is fully verified. We approach the proposal with due concern and sensitivity. Sometimes, when people hear that violence against Jews tends to follow violence by the Jewish state, this is interpreted to mean that acts of antisemitism can be justified if committed in response to Israel’s actions. We immediately reject the claim that such actions are justified. But the data leads us to accept that there is a consistent relationship between Israeli violent actions and anti-Semitic hate crimes.
For example, the terrorist who drove his car into a synagogue in Michigan lost his brother, a Hezbollah commander, and his two children in the Israeli air strike on Beirut. While the Detroit terrorist’s anger and distress were understandable, his attempted bloody act was not justified. Attacking civilians in retaliation for state-sponsored actions that cause civilian casualties can never be justified in our view. Attacking Jewish children in suburban Detroit in revenge for the Israeli attack in Beirut is simply unjustifiable. This is dangerously complex moral logic.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. The data we examined—a series of scientific studies over the past two decades—consistently showed that anti-Semitic hate crimes in the West increased in the wake of Israel’s violent military operations. Israeli military violence appears to have had an impact a particularly strong triggering effect About violent and criminal forms of antisemitism. The impact of Israeli military action on anti-Semitic attitudes is less clear, but many studies I found Increase in anti-Semitic attitudes Following periods of violence between Israel and its enemies (following ongoing Iranian aggression) war with Israel as a central hero).
We must honestly confront the causal factors of antisemitism and address antisemitism where it is most widespread and most severe. There are certainly anti-Semitic agitators on the left, including those who reveled in Hamas’ brutal attacks on October 7, 2023. They should be called out. More worrying in our view are the open right-wing anti-Semites who share the media and political ecosystem with President Trump, the most powerful man in the world, who has repeatedly and blatantly failed to condemn them. Their conspiracy theories provide aid to those who claim a global Jewish conspiracy to dominate the rest of the world.
However, if we want to understand antisemitism as it manifests itself in the world today, we must consider a third factor: Israel’s actions, especially since October 7. The utter destruction of Gaza, including the killing of more than 70,000 Palestinians, marked not the end of Israeli military action but the beginning of a new era. Israel has attacked Lebanon, Syria and Yemen with great impunity and is now engaged in a second armed conflict with Iran last year. To reiterate our main point: This does not mean that attacking Jewish civilians is a legitimate response. Without stopping. But we cannot ignore the very real possibility that Israel’s actions have led to violent anti-Semitic attacks and may lead to more.
The first call to action is to redouble our efforts to educate the world that it is wrong to attack Jews as revenge for Israel’s action. At the same time, we must draw attention to the fact that Israel’s actions could have extremely harmful consequences not only for Arabs and Muslims, but also for Jews around the world, and Israeli leaders should acknowledge this possibility in the privacy of their bunkers.
David N. Myers, professor of Jewish history, directs the UCLA Hate Research Initiative; here doctoral student Joshua GoetzD. He is a political science student and researcher.
