Professor speaks about modern anti-semitism
By: Lianna Donovan
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: On Campus
Internationally distinguished historian and anti-Semitism expert Dr. Robert Wistrich discussed modern anti-Semitism, which he described as a "pervasive phenomenon around the world," during a lecture he delivered to University of Maryland students, faculty and staff earlier this month.
Wistrich, who holds the Neuberger Chair for Modern European History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is head of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism, detailed the history of anti-Semitism from the classical era through Stalinist Russia before focusing on what he called the "new anti-Semitism" - a form of anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist sentiment that emerged at the end of World War II.
"Anti-Semitism is not purely a European phenomenon," Jeffrey Herf, the University of Maryland Department of History professor responsible for arranging the lecture, said. "This is a subject that demands scholarly attention. When Dr. Wistrich told me he would be visiting the Washington, D.C. region, it was an opportunity our community could not pass up."
During his hour-long lecture, titled, "European and Muslim Dimensions of the New Anti-Semitism," Wistrich addressed the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East, which he attributed to a deep sense of failure and feelings of resentment toward Western society among Muslims since the religion's decline in the late 16th century. Describing Israel's existence as a "wound that festers" for Arab Muslims, Wistrich explained the power of propaganda in furthering anti-Semitism.
"Blood libel is almost unbelievably alive today despite no basis in the Koran for such a belief," Wistrich said. "Documentaries are made in some Middle Eastern countries which attract huge Arab audiences. In the most gruesome manner, Jewish ritual killing is enacted. When this is shown to a captive audience of millions of Arabs, many of whom are illiterate and unable to comprehend what is being shown, you get a real sense of the meaning of incitement."
Wistrich, who holds the Neuberger Chair for Modern European History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is head of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism, detailed the history of anti-Semitism from the classical era through Stalinist Russia before focusing on what he called the "new anti-Semitism" - a form of anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist sentiment that emerged at the end of World War II.
"Anti-Semitism is not purely a European phenomenon," Jeffrey Herf, the University of Maryland Department of History professor responsible for arranging the lecture, said. "This is a subject that demands scholarly attention. When Dr. Wistrich told me he would be visiting the Washington, D.C. region, it was an opportunity our community could not pass up."
During his hour-long lecture, titled, "European and Muslim Dimensions of the New Anti-Semitism," Wistrich addressed the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East, which he attributed to a deep sense of failure and feelings of resentment toward Western society among Muslims since the religion's decline in the late 16th century. Describing Israel's existence as a "wound that festers" for Arab Muslims, Wistrich explained the power of propaganda in furthering anti-Semitism.
"Blood libel is almost unbelievably alive today despite no basis in the Koran for such a belief," Wistrich said. "Documentaries are made in some Middle Eastern countries which attract huge Arab audiences. In the most gruesome manner, Jewish ritual killing is enacted. When this is shown to a captive audience of millions of Arabs, many of whom are illiterate and unable to comprehend what is being shown, you get a real sense of the meaning of incitement."
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