The rubicon of antisemitism crossed in the West - Israel will face new dangers, too - opinion

Nearly three years after the October 7 incident, antisemitism is not only persisting but intensifying in Western countries, notably the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany. A recent survey revealed that one in three individuals in the US reported facing antisemitism, while over half of Jews have adjusted their behavior due to fear of such hatred.

This pervasive antisemitism is fueled by various factors, including political polarization, the blurring lines between left-wing and right-wing hatred, hostility towards Jews in academia, and a surge in antisemitism among younger adults. Furthermore, well-funded campaigns aimed at defaming Israel and growing immigration from countries with high rates of religious extremism are exacerbating the issue.

The ramifications of this growing antisemitism extend beyond the Jewish communities of the West, impacting Israel as well. Israel's strategic alliance with the United States is at risk due to the increasing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment among the American public. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likened Israel's new situation to that of the isolated Greek city-state of Sparta, which successfully fought its wars alone.

However, this analogy falls short in a globalized world. Israel should strive to build robust alliances with non-Western countries, such as India, former Soviet Republics, South American nations, the Far East, and moderate Muslim countries, rather than adopting a Spartan-like isolationist approach. To counter the growing antisemitism, Israel and the global Jewish community must acknowledge the danger posed by state and non-state actors promoting Israel's delegitimization.

Countries like Qatar, Iran, Turkey, and various Muslim Brotherhood organizations and the BDS movement are increasingly motivated to undermine public support for Israel in the West. While direct confrontation with these entities may not be the most effective strategy, creating alternative centers of power that act as counterweights to the spreaders of hate is crucial.

Israel should also strengthen its relations with global Jewish communities, focusing on maintaining national responsibility rather than adhering to narrow partisan or ideological considerations. This involves involving representatives from various corners of Zionism and Israeli society to effectively engage with ideological counterparts in the West and the Jewish world.

Israel must also recognize that some of the harm inflicted upon its image is self-inflicted. Israeli officials should refrain from automatically attributing criticism to antisemitism and instead encourage introspection and improvement. This includes addressing the recent increase in Israeli Jewish extremist violence against Palestinians and taking decisive action against such perpetrators.

Additionally, problematic statements from opponents of Israel's policies on the Israeli far Left and Right should be avoided, as they are often leveraged by Israel's opponents and antisemitic elements in the West to further their agenda. While the post-October 7 world is still evolving, it is evident that the long-standing "golden age" of Jewish status and prosperity in the West is gradually diminishing, giving rise to a new reality.

The Jewish people have historically demonstrated an incredible capacity to adapt, survive, and even thrive in changing circumstances. The question remains: how will this new reality manifest itself, and what challenges and opportunities will it bring? The key lies in Israel's ability to acknowledge the new reality and develop effective responses to the challenges it presents, thereby ensuring a successful adaptation process and a more optimal new reality.