Anti-Jewish sentiments faced by Europeans can be a “bellwether” for U.S. Jews.

By JNS and EJP

Antisemitism, particularly in the form of anti-Zionism, is growing on the political left, according to a report published on Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League.

“While antisemitism from individuals associated with left-leaning political organizations is generally less violent than right-wing antisemitism, its penetration into the political mainstream is cause for concern and has in some cases alienated Jews and other supporters of Israel,” according to the report. “Concerns are both political and physical.”

Anti-Jewish sentiments and incidents in Europe can be “a bellwether for what is to come for the U.S. Jewish community,” per the new report.

That is “evidenced for example by the recent rise in violent antisemitism in the U.S., which has plagued European Jewish communities for many years, and the increase in anti-Zionism in U.S. progressive spaces, something that has existed in Europe for some time.”

In its conclusion to the report, ADL said: ”The four-country analyses in this report highlight the need for the American Jewish community and supporters of Israel more broadly to pay close attention to the trends happening in elements of the political left in Europe and to remain alert to the potential for them to spread around the world.  This is especially true when it comes to anti-Israel trends and anti-Zionism, where we have seen a blurring of the lines between attacks on Israel and attacks on Jews and Jewish identity.”

”Country borders cannot contain the spread of anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism. There is a lot we can learn from the experiences of Jewish communities across Europe, which can help us better understand and anticipate these dangerous trends, and hopefully head them off before they become mainstreamed in our politics and society.”

The ADL produced the report in partnership with the Community Security Trust (U.K.), the Amadeu Antonio Foundation (Germany), Action and Communication on the Middle East (Spain) and the French magazine K., The Jews, Europe, the 21st Century.

Angel Mas, President of ACOM, who studied Spain’s political scene, said, “Sixty years ago, before Spain’s transition to democracy, antisemitism maintained its classical forms and was clearly associated with very conservative segments of society. Today, as in the rest of Europe, traditional antisemitism, now disguised as anti-Zionism, predominates on the whole spectrum of the political left.”