Antisemitism is often discussed as a European legacy or a feature of far-right politics in the West. Yet one of its most persistent and underexamined manifestations lies in parts of the Middle East and the broader Islamic world. Acknowledging this reality is uncomfortable but necessary for any honest conversation about peace, coexistence, and the future of the region.

To be clear, this is not an indictment of all Muslims or all Arab societies. Across the Middle East and within Muslim communities globally, there are countless individuals who reject antisemitism and advocate dialogue and coexistence. However, it is equally true that in several countries, unfavourable views toward Jews remain widespread. These attitudes are not accidental; they are shaped by a complex interplay of history, politics, identity, and prolonged conflict.

The turning point came in the mid-20th century. The creation of Israel in 1948, followed by successive Arab-Israeli wars, transformed regional politics and public sentiment. What began as a political and territorial dispute in many cases evolved into something broader. Opposition to Zionism, often rooted in questions of land, sovereignty, and displacement gradually merged, in some contexts, with hostility toward Jews as a people. This conflation has had long-lasting consequences.

Over the decades, political rhetoric, media narratives, and in certain instances........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)