Recent decades have seen a surge in antisemitism across the world, with huge increases in violent attacks, online abuse and the desecration of communal property. What gives rocket fuel to these crimes is a set of widely held beliefs about the Jews and their supposed malign influence on the world. These antisemitic myths, foundational to much of western culture, include the charges of dual loyalty, greed, cowardice, chosenness and global control. This book offers a firm, detailed and comprehensive rebuttal to these ideas. The first part examines ancient and medieval calumnies against the Jews, including deicide, the medieval blood libel and the accusation of well poisoning, as well as canards relating to their physical appearance. The next part focuses on attacks against the character of the Jews, including allegations of avarice and lack of patriotism, demonstrating that on any reading of Jewish history, culture and religious doctrine, the charges do not stack up. The third section deals with the modern penchant for antisemitic conspiracy theories. It employs extensive evidence to refute the idea that Jews dominated the slave trade, subverted Hollywood or instigated the twentieth century’s world wars. Finally, the book confronts the menace of political antisemitism, demolishing the ideology that underpins the demonization of Israel and refuting the idea that the state has no legitimacy in the contemporary world. It is a useful handbook for every anti-racist.
