By Olivier Jack Melnick

I. Understanding the New Anti-Semitism

How different is the New Anti-Semitism from the old?

The NEW Anti-Semitism has a lot in common with what I call the old anti_Semitism as far as the goal is concerned. It was, is, and always will be the complete destruction of the Jewish people just because they are Jewish. The means to that end have morphed over the years from religious to social to racial, but the end has never changed. Today, as the phoenix of doom, it is reborn after 65 years, in spite of our people’s creed of NEVER AGAIN.

But it is as if Satan kept a few coals slowly burning under a pile of consumed ashes, waiting for the opportune time to re-ignite the age-old hatred. It is possibly the beginning of Satan’s final attack against Israel. As such, it is delivered to the world in a new package, making it more believable and easier to accept than its predecessor of almost seven decades ago. It has new boundaries, a new source, and a new methodology.

A. The Boundaries Are Different

Even though anti-Semitism can be traced through the Bible and subsequent Church history (see They Have Conspired Against You: Responding to the New Anti-Semitism for a detailed timeline), the most nefarious memory in the Jewish psyche is that of Nazi Germany’s systematic attempt at destroying all of European Jewry. As a measure of the lasting impact of this historical event, it is not uncommon today to speak of the Jewish people using pre-Holocaust and post-Holocaust history markers. The Holocaust presented a spiritual crisis that forever changed the outlook of the Jewish people.

The boundaries of the old anti-Semitism were European for the most part. Even though history could testify that already back then, the hatred against Jewish people had transcended borders and continents, the big push came out of Germany and extended to various European countries. To be sure, the list of people groups that became co-perpetrators alongside Nazi Germany does not represent all countries in the same light. Although it is not the purpose of this paper, let it be known that European involvement in the “final solution” went from “very willing” to “”reluctant.” Unfortunately, the propaganda and violence used by the Hitler and his men resulted in the destruction of 6,000,000 Jews among others.

Even though the outcome of the “final solution,” brought to an end by Germany’s surrender in 1945, was the tragic death of millions, the boundaries were limited to the extent of the railway system of that time. Hitler went out of his way to send cattle cars through as much of Eastern and Western Europe as he could, but his boundaries never went further.

The cancer of Jewish hatred was a localized cancer. It was localized in Europe. World Jewry eventually recovered, and in 1948, after the miraculous and prophetic re-birth of Israel as a modern nation, it was mostly believed that the beast of anti-Semitism had been destroyed. The modern day survival creed of my people was found in these two powerful words: NEVER AGAIN. Nobody would discuss, let alone entertain, the thought that anti-Semitism could again re-surface on the world scene.

The unfortunate truth of the matter is that the beast never died and that it has been at my people’s throat again since the Second Intifada starting on September 28, 2000, when opposition leader Ariel Sharon unexpectedly visited the Temple Mount, the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Rocks were thrown from above onto Jewish worshipers at the Western Wall, while violence picked up pace and exploded like an overheated pressure cooker.

The New Anti-Semitism was born. But it would be more accurate to say that almost overnight, anti-Semitism was re-invented and morphed into a socially acceptable ideology. The epicenter was Jerusalem, but the aftershocks were felt globally. After almost nine years, these waves of anti_Semitism continue relentlessly around the world with a destructive agenda. For that reason, the New Anti-Semitism is much more pernicious than its predecessor because it no longer has boundaries. The local cancer of yesteryears has today metastasized to the whole planet.

In measuring how far the New Anti-Semitism has spread, we realize that no Jewish community is currently immune from its viral grip.

The hotbed of anti-Jewish sentiment that is the Middle-East is now an established expectation, so much so that much of our Western Civilization has somewhat become numb to the regular acts of hatred and violence committed against Israel.

Much of the European Union of today still operates under the unofficial regime of La vieille Europe, “the Old Europe,” where the old anti_Semitism found fertile soil for centuries, planted by the faulty allegorical Bible teaching from the Christian Church, irrigated by the ignorance of the common people and grown from the depravity of human nature.

The European Union has been caught off guard and is being slowly devoured by the demons of political correctness, multi-culturalism and tolerance. In its postmodern desire to align itself with the rest of the world, the Europe of today has irreversibly given up her identity without a shot fired. Islam has won the war in Europe simply by virtue of demographics. While most countries of Europe are having less than the recognized 2.1 children per family (the minimum requirement to maintain a civilization), Muslims are having 4 to 7 children per family. Europe has already reached a point of no return. All seems to indicate that the continent will be a Muslim continent by the end of the 21st century (http://muslim-canada.org/muslimstats.html). This leaves us in the United States with an uncomfortable realization that if we don’t change some of our policies along with becoming more balanced about political correctness, we are going in the same direction.

One of the strengths of our enemy is the fact that he knows us well. Our attempt at multiculturalism and tolerance is only seen as a weakness and exploited as such. Only when we realize that Israel—the Small Satan—is only the appetizer on the menu of radical Islam, and that the West—the Great Satan—is the main course, only then will we take our enemy seriously. In the meantime Israel and the Jewish people are exposed to a New Anti_Semitism no longer confined to geographical borders.

All Jewish people are a target, and as if the lack of boundaries were not enough, the sources have changed as well.

B. The Source Is Different

Before exposing the source of the New Anti-Semitism and how different it is from its predecessor, we must realize that the core source for anti-Semitism has not changed and never will; it is Satan himself, who hates what God loves and loves what God hates. But even Satan must realize that new times call for new methods, so he is now subcontracting his job of loathing Israel and the Jewish people to different groups within our ever shrinking global community. The result is far more encompassing, and its damages are exponential, as we are about to see.

1. A Subtle Source: Replacement Theology

While anti-Semitism is not always rooted in Replacement Theology, a careful study will help us realize that at the very least, it often nourishes the soil from which anti_Semitism grows.

Replacement Theology is a faulty non-literal approach to God’s Word leading to the belief by many that the Christian Church today has replaced Israel in God’s program. It comes in different theological flavors, so to speak, stretching from relegating Israel and the Jewish people to a doomed future, to giving them a limited hope in God’s future End Days program. While those holding to Replacement Theology may still show appreciation for Israel, they neither recognize the Land nor the Jewish people as still being an integral part of God’s program.

The danger of seeing the Jewish people as no longer being God’s chosen people is greater that one might think. The immediate problem is, of course, a faulty understanding of God’s Word, but there is a ramification to Replacement Theology that is even greater. When people are being taught from the pulpit that God has replaced Israel with the Church, they don’t see the Jewish people as being a vital part of God’s plan any longer. This view while, not being inherently anti-Semitic, fuels any dormant anti-Jewish fire inside the mind of many. The result of tossing the Jews aside from God’s great master plan of salvation is an insidious anti-Jewish sentiment shared by many within the organized Christian church.

This subtle anti-Semitism has become an accepted and justified sentiment towards Israel and the Jewish people. In fact it has already infiltrated many levels of our society and is becoming more and more accepted, with very little done against it. Can history repeat itself? Could Christians and countries with a Christian heritage again be found guilty of failing or faltering to help Jewish people in a coming Holocaust of persecution? Could there be another time in history in which Christians miss their opportunity to do the right thing in God’s eyes? One can only imagine how damaging that would be.

God never intended it that way; as a matter of fact, He has clearly spoken in His Word against anti-Semitism. A good example is found in Psalm 83:1-5:

1 O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and,

O God, do not be still.

2 For, behold, Thine enemies make an uproar;

And those who hate Thee have exalted themselves.

3 They make shrewd plans against Thy people,

And conspire together against Thy treasured ones.

4 They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation,

That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

5 For they have conspired together with one mind;

Against Thee do they make a covenant:

Here is a clear indication that a Bible-believing follower of Yeshua the Messiah cannot possibly hate Israel or the Jewish people because Scripture tells us that it would mean that they hate the very God they claim to have a personal relationship with, the God of Israel.

But Replacement Theology has become pervasive even within the Evangelical community, with the majority of Christians attending churches whose background is in Replacement Theology. Still, as potentially damaging as Replacement Theology might be, it is not the greatest danger to our people. The Liberal Left is another force to be reckoned with.

2. Liberal Left and Secular Anti-Israelism

The Liberal Left poses a great threat, with its grip being much more spread out. According to the Liberals, anti-Semitism is not even on the agenda, but it is perfectly acceptable to be anti_Israel. They claim that you can be anti-Israel in the name of World peace, all without being anti-Semitic, a claim that is foggy at best.

During my most recent trip to Europe in January 2009, I observed a pro_Palestinian march in the heart of Paris where people held a banner with the words: “UN in 48 you gave birth to an assassin and you called her Israel.” The crowd marched along chanting the mantra “Israel Assassin” or displaying banners equating the Jewish star of David with the Nazi swastika. Nobody in the crowd, the police or the local media seemed to be concerned about the shift in the targeting. During that two-week period throughout France, several rabbis were attacked, a kosher meat factory set ablaze, a car destroyed for displaying a Hebrew book and many Jewish teenagers severely beaten on the streets. It has now become very clear that any move that Israel makes as a nation seems to render all Jewish people globally responsible and thus punishable as well.

Painting with very broad strokes, Liberals are associating all Jews with “guilty” Israel. We need to understand that this is a double fallacy. First, it must be recognized that Israel is ONLY defending herself in the same way other nations do. The exact opposite picture is painted by Liberals through the media and politics, and this false picture is used to perpetrate an anti-Israel bias. Second, it is never wise to associate a people group to the guilt of a cross-section of that group. For example, not all Germans were Nazis, and not all Muslims are terrorists. But in the case of Israel, Liberals first claim that Israel is responsible for the events of the Middle East and then carry that false blame over onto Jewish people in general. Unfortunately it offers a breeding ground for yet the most dangerous enemy of Israel, Radical Islam.

3. Radical Islam: A Spiritual Battle

When we talk about Islam, we must be careful. We must not succumb to the temptation of pointing the finger and categorizing all Muslims as Jew-haters. This being said, we must realize that anti_Semitism has been indoctrinated in the Muslim psyche as part of the regular upbringing of most Muslims worldwide. We must also realize that the chasm between Jews and Muslims is not historical or geographical as many would want us to believe. It is a spiritual battle instigated by no other than the great deceiver, satan himself. He is behind any and all attempts at destroying the Jewish people. He has used Radical Islam today as he used Nazi Germany 70 years ago. Because of this, it requires effort for a Muslim not to hate a Jew. But by the same token, it requires effort for a person to love one’s neighbor. The ability to hate comes packaged with the depravity of the human heart.

Love requires effort and commitment, and more than anything else, it requires help from Yeshua Himself. Nothing in Islam or the teaching of the Qur’an teach man to love one’s enemy. On the contrary, a careful study of Islam’s holy book will show us that it is all right to lie to and hate the infidels (anybody who is not a Muslim). Muslims who claim to follow the principles and the teachings of the Qur’an have no choice if they choose to be devout Muslims.

Today the world comprises between 1.2 and 1.5 billion Muslims (about 21-25% of the world’s population) [http://muslim-canada.org/muslimstats.html], and even though only a minority are radicals focused on holy jihad, they represent a noticeable number of people. The real danger with Radical Islam is the lack of respect for human life. The sanctity of life is revered by the West while jihadists “stand in line” to blow themselves up for Allah.

The claim that Islam is a religion of peace is only true from the perspective of Islam being the only world religion. Fifty years ago, such a claim of religious hegemony would have sounded ludicrous, but today even if most of the West decides to keep its head in the sand, the rise of Islam is a force to be reckoned with. Muslim demographics along with political correctness from the West are becoming the demise of our civilization.

Radical Islam’s goal to totally eradicate the Jewish people from the face of the earth today echoes the cry of Israel’s enemies of years past in Psalm 83, written thousands of years ago.

1 O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and,

O God, do not be still.

2 For, behold, Thine enemies make an uproar;

And those who hate Thee have exalted themselves.

3 They make shrewd plans against Thy people,

And conspire together against Thy treasured ones.

4 They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation,

That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

5 For they have conspired together with one mind;

Against Thee do they make a covenant.

It must be noted that in his Psalm, Asaph is clear about the fact that the enemies of Israel are the enemies of God as well.

Radical Islam’s goal is nothing less than global Islam, not just as a religion, but also as an ideology dictating all aspects of daily life. From that viewpoint, Israel is seen as only part of the problem. To reach the goal of global Islam, Western civilization must be taken over by Islam and the Qur’an must rule as the supreme holy book.

For this, radical Islam needs to be established in most developed countries…and they are. They need to be established at different levels of society and government…and they are. They need to force Qur’anic laws or Sharia Law on the West, and they have even started that as we have witnessed the establishment of a parallel legal system in England when Sharia Law was accepted as an alternative for Muslims in September of 2008.

Columnist Jeff Jacoby warned us a few years ago when he said:

What the world should already know but so often forgets is that Jews are the canary in the coal mine of civilization. Anti-Semitism is like cancer; unchecked, it can metastasize and sicken the entire body. When civilized nations fail to rise up against the Jew-haters in their midst, it is often just a matter of time before the Jew-haters in their midst rise up against them.

[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/03/14/the_cancer_of_anti_semitism_in_europe/]

For this reason, we must defeat anti-Semitism before it defeats all of us. We must win our enemies with love before they win us by force.

Like the mythological beast known as the Lernaean Hydra, whose multiple venom-spitting heads grew back at the rate of two for one after decapitation, anti-Semitism continues to propagate the denigration of Israel and the Jewish people with an intensity that would require commendation if it were not so sordid. Jew-haters today, including Liberals who verbally poison the well of humanity and radical Muslim who sacrifice themselves to kill Jews, multiply their efforts exponentially, to destroy Israel’s reputation with the World.

Hercules is said to have eventually killed the Hydra as one of his twelve labors. He managed much of his labors on his own, but at times, he required some help, as in the case of the Lernaean Hydra where Hercules called on his nephew Lolaos.

If there is anything to be learned from the fanciful tales of Greek mythology, it is that some beasts are better fought corporately that alone. Anti-Semitism is such a beast that we can defeat if we work together. The Liberal Left and Radical Islam understand the power of corporate work as we witness how they are globally holding hands in their goal to eradicate the Jewish people from the face of the earth.

Our tendency would, of course, be to retract in our personal cocoons of family, work or religion and believe the opposite. We often feel helpless as one person in a sea of antagonists. What can one do? Aren’t we better off not making waves and getting just along?

Irish statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke said it best: “All that’s necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing” [http://www.brainyquote.com/ quotes/quotes/e/edmundburk384617.html].

My belief is that not only it is our duty to stand for the truth and fight any form of anti-Semitism, but additionally, I am convinced that we can utilize the New Anti-Semitism to build bridges between our believing community and the Jewish community being plagued by such an ailment.

II. Utilizing the New Anti-Semitism as an Outreach Tool (Genesis 50:20)

Fighting hatred and its proponents is the very least we can do when it comes to anti_Semitism. But I believe we can do much more, as believers today are in a position to use their understanding of the New Anti-Semitism as a means to share love and concern with their Jewish friends and family. There are four things we can do before we earn the right to speak. We must educate ourselves and others and expose the lies of the New Anti-Semitism before we can move into action.

A. Understand the New Anti-Semitism (Educate Yourself and Others)

In 2002, in the mist of a resurgence of anti-Semitic acts, Former French President Jacques Chirac told Shimon Peres of Israel: “I am certain that France is not anti-Semitic either historically or currently.” Mr. Chirac either didn’t understand anti-Semitism or was so anti-Semitic himself that he was blinded by his own bigotry. A simple study of current events with an emphasis on Israel and the Jewish people will suffice to prove to anybody that anti-Semitism is real, active and growing. If Europe acts as a thermometer of things to come, we in the United States should be very concerned. More people like French Jewish retired police commissioner Sammy Gohzlan are needed to help us see the damage done. His Bureau National de Vigilance Contre l’Antisémitisme (National Bureau of Vigilance against anti-Semitism) has been tracking down and reporting any acts of anti-Semitism committed in France for over a decade. He always follows up with a letter to the authorities requesting action. Mr. Gozhlan is an example of perseverance and fighting for justice. He has been at the forefront of the current fight against anti-Semitism and has made a big difference.

It is our duty to remain abreast of current events against the Jewish people and share our knowledge with others. This of course cannot be done without our necessary involvement. Gone are the days of silent by-standing in the midst of a crisis.

It is our duty to educate ourselves and thus be better equipped to filter bias in the News and in our community. As a result, we will be able to educate others. To do this I recommend several authors. A foundational work on historical Christian anti-Semitism is the superb volume by Catholic priest Edward H. Flannery, The Anguish of the Jews. A difficult but essential read, it is foundational to establish the historical and religious precedents that have lead us to today.

In more recent years, I find Mitchell Bard and his superb work Myths and Facts on the Middle East [American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), Chevy Chase, MD, 2001] to be a very valuable tool. He constantly adds small chapters to his original work, helping us to further demystify the Middle East conflict and its worldwide ramifications.

Several websites are worth visiting weekly if not daily, although like with all websites, one can rarely agree with their entire contents.

I particularly appreciate the work of MEMRI.org (Middle East Media Research Institute) as they spend hours gathering videos from mostly the Middle-East and expose the hatred and double talk of many towards Israel in no uncertain terms.

HonestReporting.com, as their name says so well, promotes fairness and ensures accuracy in the News. The results of their efforts have been encouraging as they have been able to make a difference over the years.

Additionally, The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, found at jcpa.org, is a wealth of information leading to the better understanding of the truth.

B. Fight Bigotry and the New Anti-Semitism and Show Support to the Jewish Community

Once we are in the know, we have a responsibility not only to share our knowledge, but also to combat anti-Semitism. If, or most likely “when” we witness an act of anti-Semitism against someone, all the knowledge and understanding in the world will accomplish nothing if we don’t act upon it.

It has been my experience through research, that the authorities are ill-equipped at best to fight hate crimes. Their criteria are different and the communication between countries and even communities is not synchronized. Many acts remain unreported or misreported as a result. As we fight anti-Semitism, we must make it a priority to report any act of Jewish hatred and bigotry to the authorities.

If we are simply the witnesses, after the fact, we must stand with our friends, neighbors or coworkers and denounce such an act. Lending a hand, giving a hug, listening to the victims and even helping to clean up property damage will go a very long way towards building the bridge necessary to form real connections to the Jewish people. Without those loving relationships, our sharing of the Gospel message is hollow.

C. Reiterate that True Bible-Believing Followers of Messiah Cannot Be Anti_Semitic.

A teacher of mine at Bible College came to me after finding out that I was Jewish, and as he put his hand on my shoulder he said, “I have a special appreciation for Israel and your people, but I must confess that it was not always the case.”

The man was bold enough to come to me and explain that today he loved Jewish people but that God had to change his heart. As a baby believer, he had been indoctrinated with lies about the Jews. Later in life as he became a serious student of the Bible, he discovered than one cannot be a real believer and follower of Messiah and hate the Jews. It had been a life_altering moment for him.

As mentioned earlier, Psalm 83 is a key passage of Scripture that clearly equates the enemies of Israel and the Jewish people with the enemies of God. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.” 5 For they have conspired together with one mind; Against Thee do they make a covenant. (Psalm 83:4-5)

Additionally, God promised Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that He would bless those that bless him and the Jewish people, and He would curse him who curses them. We all have a Biblical mandate to bless the Jewish people if we desire to be in God’s will. This is not a choice; it is an obligation.

Our Bible is clear in that area, and we should be clear also. Those who cursed the Jewish people, like the Pharaoh who did not respect Moses, ended up being the recipients of some of the very curses they wished to impose on Israel, such as the death of the first-born as seen in Exodus 11:4-7 and 12:23

4 And Moses said, “Thus says the LORD,
‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt,

5 and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the first-born of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the first-born of the cattle as well.

6 ‘Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again.

7 ‘ But against any of the sons of Israel a dog shall not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’”

Exodus 12:23:

“ ‘For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.’ ”

Another clear account is found in the book of Esther where Haman preparing a curse on the Jewish leader Mordecai is the one cursed at the end, as we see in Esther 5:9, 14 and 7:4-6, 10:

Esther 5:9 Then Haman went out that day glad and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.

5:14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it, then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.

7:4 for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king.”

7:5 Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?”

7:6 And Esther said, “A foe and an enemy, is this wicked Haman!” Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.

7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.

The Bible tells us that God will ultimately catch up with Israel’s enemies because He is just, and whoever so chooses to hurt “the apple of his eye” (Zech. 2:8) will be punished. Our Jewish friends need to be reminded of these stories as well as the other side of the coin where people were blessed for blessing Israel, as was the case of Laban on Jacob’s account in Genesis 30:27-30 or of Pharaoh who respected Joseph in Genesis 39:1-5.

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there.

2 And the LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.

3 Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.

5 And it came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

The Bible is replete with examples of how God deals with those who bless or curse Israel. Our Jewish friends should know that as such, true Bible believers support, love and pray for Israel and the Jewish people. By now you have earned the right to speak further and here is your chance to explain to your friend what it means to be a true believer from Scriptures.

D. Explaining What a True Believer Is from Scriptures

As Believers who claim to be followers of Yeshua the Messiah, we are bound to follow His teaching on love. Taken from the core of the Torah, this principle is carried over to the Law of Messiah as the core of our obedience to His teaching. Mark tells us in his Gospel:

Mark 12:31:

‘ YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Paul reiterates the same argument in Galatians 5:14:

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

Our friends need to be told that in spite of what has been done against the Jewish people for centuries in the name of Messiah, true believers are the opposite of the picture that has been painted by the world. Genuine love can only be expressed fully through Messiah Yeshua. Not only that, but the Messiah challenges us to take our love one step further in Matthew 5:43-48 when He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, a great challenge for the disciple of the Yeshua. Just as Yeshua would do, we expose the lies, present the truth and offer hope to our Jewish friends AND to their enemies. That is what makes us different, and that is the only road to successful Kingdom growth.

Matthew 5:43-48

43 “ You have heard that it was said, ‘ YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.’

44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you

45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?

47 “And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Lord Himself told us that this was the greatest of all the commandments, so it would behoove all of us to follow His lead on such a foundational element to further His kingdom.

Once you have educated yourself, stood hand in hand with the victims as you exposed the hatred against them and then showed them the mark of a real believer through Scripture, I believe you will have a genuine opportunity to invite your friend to become a disciple of Yeshua by accepting His death and resurrection for their sins.

III. Conclusion

The New Anti-Semitism is here to stay. Its rapid global growth should generate a concern in us, but the concern shouldn’t only be a voice of frustration. Our concern should motivate us to go further. We have the ability to use the New Anti-Semitism to our advantage and show unbelievers “who we are not!” and thus build a solid bridge between their community and ours. This bridge will go over centuries of lies, tears and bloodshed against the Jewish people. The Messiah in His teaching has given us all the building blocks to build our bridge. Even the worst acts against our people can be used to direct them towards the truth.

It reminds me of the powerful story of Joseph and his brothers as retold in the final chapters of Genesis and specially Genesis 50:20:

“And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

In the case of the New Anti-Semitism, God can use it and use us to turn the tables on a pervasively destructive situation and create a genuine dialogue of concern and love with our Jewish friends. The result, if prayerfully approached, will yield curiosity at the very least if not a real desire for the hope that is in us.

Contact Information: Olivier Melnick, olivierm@chosenpeople.com, www.oliviermelnick.com, www.newantisemitism.blogspot.com, 949-400-2892