Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism is a negative attitude (evaluation) of Jewish people and their culture relative to other social groups. Like most prejudices, this negative attitude functions to marginalize the target (Jews), limiting their power and influence. Holding and expressing anti-Semitic attitudes has a range of implications for political life and social conflict (vs. cohesion). Some of the most [Page 28]pressing geopolitical concerns, most notably those in the Middle East, involve consideration of attitudes toward Jews (and/or Israel), including their rights and responsibilities. This entry discusses Jewish stereotypes and attitude trends, various forms or types of anti-Semitism, similarities and differences between anti-Semitism and other prejudices (e.g., sexism), contextual factors that aggravate the prejudice, and several of the more important consequences of anti-Jewish attitudes.