Islamic Anti-Semitism As a Political Instrument
by Yossef Bodansky
Category: Antisemitism

After finding roots of antisemitism in traditional Islamic sources starting with the Qur'an, discusses the use of anti-Jewishness and anti-Judaism as a major political instrument against the State of Israel from the 1950s through the 1990s. Thus, emphasis is placed on political as well as religious dimensions of such Muslim religious concepts as "dhimma" and "jihad." A "global jihad" against the Jews is shown to have ramifications not only among Palestinians and in Iran, but also in more distant Islamic states such as Malaysia and Pakistan. Anti-Jewish stereotypes and the idea of a Jewish conspiracy are widespread. The Hamas movement is discussed for its prominent role in spreading anti-Judaism and antisemitism in a global Islamic context as part of its effort to destroy Israel.