The normalization of antisemitism: why it continues even after October 7

The October 7 attacks were among the most traumatic events in modern Jewish history. The world saw brutal violence against Jews live and in real time — and many expected that such horror would shock societies into rejecting antisemitism. Instead, in many places, antisemitism did not fade. It intensified.

To understand why, we need to look at a long and dangerous process: the normalization of antisemitism.

1. Antisemitism has become “acceptable” in parts of public discourse

In recent years, openly antisemitic ideas have gained ground in politics, media and social networks. Phrases that once would have caused outrage are now often framed as “legitimate criticism”, “activism” or “social justice”.

Old patterns repeat:

• Jews are blamed for global events beyond their control.
• Israel is used as a proxy to attack Jews everywhere.
• Classic antisemitic tropes are dressed up in modern language.

The events of October 7 did not break this pattern — they exposed how deep it already was.

2. Disinformation online supercharges hatred

In the era of algorithm‐driven platforms, disinformation and extreme content spread faster than fact‐based reporting. Research shows that:

• Short, emotional and polarizing content performs best.
• Conspiracy theories and hate speech can go viral in minutes.
• Corrections and nuanced explanations rarely reach the same audience.

Studies from organizations such as the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and major universities have documented how antisemitic and conspiratorial content is quickly recommended to new users by some platforms.

In practice this means:

• Edited videos, fake images and context‐less clips are treated as “truth” by many viewers.
• Those inclined to antisemitism are fed a constant stream of confirming content.
• Neutral users are gradually desensitized to anti‐Jewish messages.

The result is an online environment where the “loudest” narratives, not the most accurate ones, shape attitudes toward Jews.

3. Jews are framed as a “strong” minority – and thus an easy target

Historically, Jews have often been portrayed as powerful or overly influential — in finance, media, politics or culture. This framing, which ignores centuries of persecution and exclusion, has been used repeatedly to justify attacks against Jews.

In modern Western societies, a similar pattern can appear:

• Jews are seen as “successful” and therefore not in need of protection.
• Antisemitism is minimized compared to other forms of hatred.
• Violence or discrimination against Jews is rationalized instead of condemned.

Reports from Jewish communities across Europe and North America describe:

• Antisemitic slurs in schools and universities being ignored.
• Violent rhetoric on campuses framed as “free speech”.
• Physical and verbal attacks in the street that do not receive proportional attention.

When a minority is simultaneously targeted and told it does not really need protection, social norms can erode quickly — and normalization follows.

4. Antisemitism as a political tool

Throughout history, antisemitism has been used as a convenient political weapon: uniting supporters against a common “other”, deflecting blame and simplifying complex problems.

In the modern era this continues in new forms:

• Some political movements use hostility toward Israel — and by extension toward Jews — to mobilize support.
• External funding, including from authoritarian regimes, can shape narratives on campuses and in civil society.
• Radical slogans against Israel are sometimes allowed in spaces where similar rhetoric against other minorities would be unthinkable.

This dynamic makes antisemitism “useful” for certain actors — and therefore harder to dislodge.

5. Demographic and social shifts in parts of Europe

Many European countries have experienced large migration waves and social changes in recent decades. The vast majority of newcomers are law‐abiding people seeking a better life. At the same time, small but vocal extremist groups have imported or reinforced strongly anti‐Jewish and anti‐Israel narratives.

This contributes to:

• Exporting Middle Eastern conflicts into European streets.
• Increased pressure on governments and political parties to adopt more one‐sided positions.
• Jewish communities feeling increasingly unsafe in public spaces.

When integration policies fail and radical voices go unchallenged, antisemitism can spread quickly in certain neighborhoods and institutions.

So why is antisemitism still here — and growing in some places?

Because the mechanisms that keep it alive are still fully active:

• Ignorance and historical amnesia.
• Algorithmic amplification of extreme content.
• Political incentives to scapegoat Jews.
• Weak institutional responses when Jews are targeted.

October 7 shocked many individuals. But where antisemitism had already been normalized, the shock often wasn’t enough to reverse deeply embedded narratives.

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What can be done?

No single tool can “solve” antisemitism. But better data, transparency and awareness can help Jews navigate this reality more safely.

Projects like safeforjews.org aim to:

• Collect and analyze reports of antisemitic incidents worldwide.
• Track trends at both country and city level.
• Visualize where risk is rising or falling.
• Help Jewish travelers, families and communities make more informed decisions.

By shining light on antisemitic patterns instead of ignoring them, such tools push back against normalization. They do not eliminate the problem — but they make it harder to deny.

For individual Jews and communities, the combination of:

• Accurate information
• Strong networks (local and global)
• Public awareness and advocacy

is essential to resisting the quiet slide of antisemitism from the margins into the mainstream.

Staying informed, building community resilience and refusing to accept antisemitism as “normal” are all part of the answer — both for those living in the diaspora and for those simply deciding where it is safest to travel.