Normalized Antisemitism: US Jews Now Face Challenges Mirroring France’s Past
For many American Jews, October 7 has come to symbolize a seismic shift in their collective experience—much like the Second Intifada did for French Jewry decades ago. Recent violent incidents, from repeated assaults on community figures in France to aggressive attacks on demonstrators here in the United States, underscore a troubling similarity in the rise of antisemitism across both continents.
The French Experience and Its Lasting Impact
In the early 2000s, France witnessed a dramatic surge in antisemitic acts. What was once sporadic hostility grew to become a normalized feature of daily life. The number of recorded incidents leapt from fewer than 100 a year to several hundred, sometimes even nearing a thousand, depending on the climate in the Middle East or terrorist developments. This alarming escalation forced many French Jews to rethink their identity and personal safety.
Deeply affected by the increasing threat, a significant portion of the community relocated from the outskirts to neighborhoods perceived as safer—a movement often described as a form of “domestic aliyah.” Many parents even chose to remove their children from local public schools. Faced with these persistent dangers, numerous families left the country entirely, emigrating to Israel or the United States, which at one point provided a sanctuary.
Tragically, the normalization of hate led to violent outcomes. Over the years, attacks escalated in severity—from verbal abuse and intimidation to brutal physical assaults that claimed lives. Each episode, driven by extremist ideologies, reinforced a pervasive sense of insecurity and vulnerability.
An Escalating Crisis in the United States
Long before the recent surge, antisemitism in America had been on a worrying upward trajectory. Fueled initially by inflammatory political rhetoric and later by conspiracy theories during the COVID period, incidents increased from around 1,000 per year in 2015 to 4,000 by 2022. Following October 7, the numbers climbed even higher, with documented attacks on college campuses, harassment of diners at Jewish-owned eateries, and vandalism of local stores.
Shockingly, some of these outbreaks have culminated in deadly violence, demonstrating that the normalization of antisemitism is not a distant memory but a current reality. Just as police presence near Jewish institutions has long been a familiar sight in Paris, similar security measures are now becoming common in parts of the United States, reflecting a profound change in the everyday lives of American Jews.
Shared Struggles and Divergent Contexts
While the demographic landscape differs—with the United States having a relatively smaller proportion of its population from Muslim backgrounds compared to France—the underlying issue remains the same. Both communities are witnessing the dangerous normalization of hatred and intolerance. In each case, the suffering of Jewish populations is not only a human tragedy but also becomes a tool for various political agendas, further complicating efforts to combat antisemitism.
The distressing reality is that once-marginal acts of hatred have now been institutionalized, leaving communities feeling exposed and politicized. Even as authorities make efforts to contain the violence, the sense of insecurity endures, raising serious concerns about the long-term prospects for personal safety and the preservation of cultural identity.
A Sobering Reminder of the Ongoing Battle Against Hate
In both France and the United States, the persistent and evolving nature of antisemitism serves as a stark reminder that intolerance adapts and persists. The experiences of French Jews in the aftermath of the Second Intifada have eerily echoed their American counterparts today. As community leaders call for collective action and heightened vigilance, the challenge remains clear: combating hate requires unwavering commitment to safeguarding freedom, security, and dignity for all.
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