Why Talking About Antisemitism Still Matters

Some conversations remain difficult because they require us to confront prejudice that has persisted for centuries. Antisemitism is one of them.

The experiences of Jewish communities reflect this reality. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 96% of Jewish respondents across thirteen European countries reported experiencing antisemitism in their daily lives before the survey, while 80% believed antisemitism had become more widespread in recent years. Nearly 40% said they had considered emigrating because they no longer felt safe living openly as Jewish people. 

Although Jewish people represent approximately 0.2% of the world's population, antisemitism continues to affect Jewish communities across every inhabited continent. According to the 2025 Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Global 100 Survey, 46% of adults worldwide, an estimated 2.2 billion people, hold elevated levels of antisemitic attitudes. The survey, conducted among more than 58,000 respondents across 103 countries and territories, is the largest global study of antisemitic attitudes ever undertaken. 

The same study highlights another concerning trend. One in five adults worldwide has never heard of the Holocaust, while only 48% recognize the Holocaust as a historical fact. Among adults aged 18 to 34, recognition falls to 39%, and younger respondents were more likely than older generations to express antisemitic attitudes. 

These findings help explain why antisemitism remains a contemporary issue rather than simply a historical one.

Antisemitism does not always appear as physical violence. It can take the form of conspiracy theories, online harassment, Holocaust denial or distortion, vandalism, discrimination, and the repetition of stereotypes that have existed for generations. Because these expressions continue to evolve, recognizing antisemitism often requires understanding both history and the ways prejudice adapts over time.

International organizations continue to warn that many incidents never appear in official statistics. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) notes that antisemitic hate crimes are frequently underreported because victims may fear retaliation, lack confidence in reporting systems, or believe nothing will change.

Understanding this history matters.

The Holocaust did not begin with violence. It was preceded by centuries of discrimination, exclusion, misinformation, and the gradual normalization of antisemitic stereotypes. Remembering that history reminds us that prejudice often develops long before it becomes visible.

For this reason, education remains one of the most effective responses to hatred.

According to UNESCO, education is one of the strongest tools for preventing prejudice because it encourages critical thinking, challenges stereotypes, promotes historical understanding, and helps young people recognize discrimination before it becomes normalized. UNESCO's educational guidelines emphasize that teaching about antisemitism is not only about preserving the memory of the Holocaust, but also about strengthening democratic values, human rights, and respect for diversity. 

Meaningful conversations matter because prejudice often grows where misinformation goes unchallenged.

Listening, asking questions, learning from history, and understanding different experiences create opportunities to replace fear with knowledge and stereotypes with empathy.

At the Yaghoubi Foundation, we believe that education is one of the strongest foundations for lasting change.

Every conversation that promotes understanding contributes to building communities where people of every background, culture, and faith can live with dignity, safety, and mutual respect.

Because combating hatred does not begin after violence occurs.

It begins with knowledge.