One would think that antisemitism, Judeophobia and Jew-hatred are synonymous as they all describe a disdain leading to actions against the Jewish people. In reality, it is a bit more nuanced. If we are talking about anti-Jewish sentiment, the first thing to understand, is Jewish identity, and to understand Jewish identity, it is critical to differentiate between Judaism and Jewishness.

Jewishness is a state of being. One is born a Jew ethnically, from Jewish parents, and they automatically receive their Jewish lineage. They are physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through one of the twelve tribes of Israel (even if it currently is impossible to identify which tribe one belongs to, except the tribe of Levi whose identity is carried through the family name.) So, I was born a Jew and I will die a Jew, regardless of what I believe in, or if I even believe in anything. That is the definition of Jewishness.

Judaism is practiced. Judaism is a religion based on the original 613 mitzot (commandments) given to Moses on Mont Sinai. That is the original biblical Judaism by which God chose to separate Jewish people from the other nations. More laws and regulations were added over the centuries by a plethora of rabbis, transforming biblical Judaism into what is today known as rabbinic Judaism. Regardless of how much of the Mosaic Law and/or Talmud is being followed, Judaism remains a practiced religion that can be followed by anyone Jewish or not. A Gentile can choose to follow Judaism and that would make them a proselyte to Judaism, but that could never transform them into an ethnic Jew. Knowing now how to define who is a Jew will help us define antisemitism more clearly.

Recently, the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism developed a definition of antisemitism that reads as follows, "Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)." I find it to be very narrow and a bit blurry. It also requires pages of additional guidelines that are helpful but very involved. Israel is not even mentioned in that definition, and I take issue with that.

I have been working on my definition of antisemitism for 26 years and recently came up with its newest refinement. The definition is now as follows: "Antisemitism is the irrational and Satanic hatred of the Jews, Israel or their supporters, characterized by thoughts, words or actions against them." The most recent adjustment was made to include supporters of Israel and of the Jewish people, because I have witnessed that the hatred is now extending to non-Jews who support the jewish state or people. This is what I call "collateral antisemitism." So, according to this new development, Jewishness, Judaism or even Christian Zionism can make you a target of the Jew haters. You no longer have to be Jewish to suffer from antisemitism. That is a very significant shift!

Now, is there really a big difference between antisemitism, Judeophobia and Jew-hatred? At the core, these three words describe the same strong dislike for Jews and Israel, but nuances need to be made.

Antisemitism is the most common word used to describe the disdain of the Jews. It was first coined by German journalist Wilhelm Marr in 1879. Incidentally, the word was coined to stay away from "Jew-hatred" and make the sentiment more acceptable to the masses. It worked, and is still the most popular word being used to date. It is quite interesting that a compound word based on "Semite" which includes both Jews and Arabs as descendants of Shem (one of Noah's three sons) would only target Jews.

Judeophobia is another word to describe disdain of Jews. It is a bit more academic and as such, less commonly used by people. "Judeo" means that something is related to Jews or Judaism, and "phobia" simply means fear. So, Judeophobia is a fear of anything related to Jews or Judaism, including Israel. But, to be fair, we must recognize that a fear of something or someone doesn't always lead to nefarious words or actions against them. It could simply lead to a desire not to associate with Jewish people. Judeophobia is connected to antisemitism, but it doesn't go far enough as a word to define the current behavior against Jews and Israel.

Jew-Hatred is straight forward and very raw in defining antisemitism. Hate is a strong word that should be used very carefully. Even blatant antisemite Wilhelm Marr chose to replace "Jew-hatred" with his new coined word to soften the appearance of evil while not changing the behavior against Jews.

in 2026, Jew-hatred is exactly where it's at. Today's antisemites and judeophobes simply hate the Jews, Israel and their supporters. It is pure evil and is intended to destroy the Jews and Israel. It is obvious that in the mind of these people, only a dead Jew is a good Jew.

Maybe it is time to call antisemitism by its real name, "Jew-hatred!" Since October 7, 2023, the global effort to demonize, delegitimize, ostracize and even eliminate the Jews and Israel has exponentially increased while Christian support for Israel and various Jewish communities has decreased. The chasm created by this polarization is increasing and nearing the point of no return according to Zechariah 12:3.

Remnant believers shouldn't be surprised. Instead, it is time for us to mobilize against Jew-hatred. Boot camp is over. The battle is on and we want to be found on the right side of history, or more precisely on the right side of HIS Story!

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