Antisemitism, Islamophobia and the War in Gaza Summary

The stereotype of the "Controller" embodies ideas from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, depicting Jews weaving a web of control over the world.
A quote misattributed to Voltaire, "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize," is often used.
An image from German-occupied Serbia in 1941 shows Jewish spiders weaving a web of control, labeling their weapons as "democracy, masonry, communism, capitalism."
The Controller uses power to control the economy, media, or politics.
This stereotype allows people to blame their societal position on Jews, claiming they are prevented from succeeding due to Jewish control.
As described by the antisemitic German historian Heinrich von Treitschke, "the Jews are our misfortune."

Jewish bankers are often depicted as grotesque, fat men with cigars and hooked noses.
This image largely comes from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, falsely portraying Jews as a homogeneous group that is rich and all-powerful.
Found in Nazi imagery blaming Jewish bankers for Germany's downfall and in modern cartoons depicting them causing economic collapse and poverty.
The Rothschild family is frequently used to represent this antisemitic trope, creating a perceived tangible controller of global wealth.
Images depict Jews cheating non-Jews, being stingy, using money for power, and controlling global business.

This stereotype portrays Jews as lurking in the shadows, sowing seeds of destruction, echoing concepts from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
The Jewish banker and corruptor are depicted as enemies of the people who disseminate division, corruption, and create wars.
By depicting Jews as behind both communism and capitalism and other world problems, they are 'othered' and blamed for anything that goes wrong.
The Jews are portrayed as attacking society through an international Jewish conspiracy.

Jews are portrayed as corrupting society, the white race, Aryan women, and societal values.
The stereotypical Jew (fat, large nose) indicates wealth during poverty and famine.
This depiction originates from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which alleges Jews conspire to undermine society.
An image posted on Facebook blames Jews for corrupting European society through immigration, with text alleging a plan to create a light brown race in Europe with an average IQ of 90 to prevent competition for global domination and destroy culture.
Jews are portrayed as corruptors using wars, pornography, controlling education, corrupting religion, destroying traditional family values, and spreading gossip.

A review of U.S. newspapers over 30 years found a large majority of references to Muslims or Islam were negative ( $80%$ ), compared to Jewish references ( $49%$ ).
Negative news mentioning Muslims or Islam over 30 years was nearly the same in the U.S. ( $80%$ ), U.K. ( $79%$ ), Canada ( $79%$ ), and Australia ( $77%$ ).
Average tone by group in 2018 showed Muslims had significantly more negative coverage compared to Jews.

Explicit anti-Muslim sentiments are increasingly expressed by politicians.
Post 9/11, there was bipartisan condemnation of Islamophobia, as shown by President George W. Bush's remarks.

The American public views muslims much more negatively than Jews.
Favorability towards Muslim people and Islam is below that of Jewish people and Judaism.
More Americans view Jews, mainline Protestants, and Catholics favorably rather than unfavorably.
Opposition to a Muslim presidential candidate is the highest among all faiths.
Americans express more prejudice towards Muslims than other groups when it comes to perceived contributions to society.

The House of Representatives rules that expanding the definition of Anti-Zionism is antisemitism.

Negative views of Israel have risen in the U.S.
In 2025, $53%$ of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of Israel, compared to $42%$ in 2022.
Among Democrats/Lean Democrats, $69%$ have an unfavorable view in 2025, compared to $53%$ in 2022.

Anti-Israel opinions are especially on the rise among Democrats and young people.

Ages 18-34 showed a $64%$ favorable view towards Israel, but that was reduced to $38%$ .
Ages 35-54 showed a $66%$ favorable view towards Israel, but that was reduced to $55%$ .
Ages 55+ showed a $74%$ favorable view towards Israel, but that was reduced to $71%$ .

Both antisemitism and Islamophobia have long been correlated with public opinion about Israel.

The correlation between antisemitism and antizionism is weaker for Democrats than Republicans.
Views of Jewish people predict views of Israel, but only among Republicans.
Views of Jewish people predict support for Israel aid, but only among Republicans.

Palestinian sympathizers still rate Jews higher than Israeli sympathizers rate Muslims.

The media pays more attention to reports of Antisemitism than Islamophobia.
Mentions of Antisemitism and Islamophobia on Cable News (October 1, 2023 to May 1, 2025) reveal more mentions of anti-Jewish sentiment than anti-Muslim sentiment.

Politicians turn a blind eye to Islamophobia.
Lawmakers grill the presidents of Harvard, MIT and Penn over antisemitism on campus.
Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism by The White House.

The public focuses more on Antisemitism than Islamophobia.
Growing Concern in the U.S. About Antisemitism.
Views of Prejudice Against Jewish and Muslim People, by Age and Party ID.
In 2024,
- Democrats: Concern for prejudice against Jewish people: $63%$ , Muslim $49%$ .
- Independents: Concern for prejudice against Jewish people: $40%$ , Muslim $30%$ .
- Republicans: Concern for prejudice against Jewish people: $63%$ , Muslim $18%$ .
In 2024, $49%$ % of people found antisemitism to be a problem, compared to $9%$ in 2003

Both antisemitism and Islamophobia have long and ugly histories that have legitimized violence and oppression.
Both factor into views of Israel to some degree.
Islamophobia is much more prevalent in media, public opinion, and political rhetoric than antisemitism.
The prevalence of Islamophobia is then reflected in how the media, the public, and politicians are much more sensitive to concerns about antisemitism and growing criticism of Israel.