Why Were The Jews Target Of Hatred From Ancient Times?

Jews were targets of racial and religious prejudice due to the prevailing and various forms of antisemitism over the centuries. Antisemitism, a term generally used to refer to all types of discrimination against the Jews, changed in content over time, but was always a prevalent element in most European societies.

Religious antisemitism is perhaps the oldest type of this form of prejudice. Its roots can be found in the ancient belief, held by many Christians up until very recent times, that the Jews were responsible for the killing of Jesus Christ. This view, of course, is both historically and theologically incorrect, as according to Christian teaching Christ had to die for the sins of humankind. Historically, Roman authorities were actually in charge of killing Christ.

Unlike in racial antisemitism, religious antisemites were willing to accept those Jews who converted to Christianity. In other words, there was a "way out" for Jews who wanted to end prejudice directed against them, and who were also willing to give up their faith in order to achieve this.

Nevertheless, the racial antisemitism of twentieth century Europe offered no such possibility, as eugenics and other pseudo-scientific teachings taught that race and ethnic identity were unchangeable factors that everyone was simply born with. This led to the genocidal antisemitism practised by the Nazis from 1933 to 1945.

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