Antisemitism and Democracy.
Jewish on Campus believes that support for Jewish safety and defense of democracy are inseparable. Antisemitism is at a historic high, driven by underlying conspiratorial narratives that directly contribute to the erosion of democratic institutions. Antisemitism undermines inclusive democracy when it goes unchallenged, just as the weakening of democratic norms provides an environment where antisemitism can flourish.
Jewish on Campus defines antisemitism as the marginalization and oppression of people who are Jewish, based on belief in stereotypes, myths, and disinformation about Jewish people and Judaism. Antisemitism can sometimes manifest as straightforward hatred, but it is often far more complex. At its core, antisemitism functions as a conspiratorial worldview—one that portrays the Jewish community as a collective force secretly plotting to advance a nefarious agenda, scapegoating Jews for societal problems while attributing to them extraordinary and disproportionate power.
Unlike other forms of hate or bias, antisemitism operates through two opposing power dynamics. At times, it “punches down,” casting Jewish people as inferior or subhuman—seen clearly in antisemitic caricatures and rhetoric that dehumanize Jewish people by portraying them as animals or vermin. But antisemitism also “punches up,” falsely claiming that Jewish people hold outsized power and control over societal institutions and framing that alleged power as a threat to the wider community. Rather than functioning as straightforward hatred, this dynamic reframes antisemitism as a form of resistance against Jewish influence, creating a false justification for violence against the Jewish community. This “punching up” dynamic is the engine behind most antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Whether antisemitism punches up or down, the consequences for democracy are real. Recent research highlights the inherent link between antisemitism and threats to democracy that extend well beyond the Jewish community. Antisemitic conspiracy theories—including the Great Replacement Theory and QAnon—rank among the biggest drivers of political violence and anti-democratic extremism. Susceptibility to conspiracy thinking is also one of the strongest predictors of antisemitic belief. As democracy deteriorates, antisemitism flourishes—and as antisemitism goes unchallenged, democracy weakens.
Following October 7th, these dual dynamics have intensified. Antisemitic incidents have surged, increasingly fueled by conspiracy theories centered on "Jewish" or "Zionist" power and influence. “Zionist” is often used as a codeword for “Jew,” disguising antisemitism as mere political commentary.
Key Terms
Deicide — A conspiracy theory claiming that the Jewish community collectively killed Jesus Christ. In mainstream Christian theology, Jesus is understood as the Son of God and part of the Holy Trinity, making his death not merely a human killing but the killing of a divine figure. This trope has been used for centuries to cast Jews as uniquely sinful and malevolent, and remains a foundational source of religious antisemitism today.
Fifth Columnism — A conspiracy theory claiming that Jews are inherently treasonous, secretly working to undermine their home countries from within. This trope is closely tied to the concept of “dual loyalty,” the false accusation that Jewish people are more loyal to Israel or to a global Jewish community than to their own country. It frequently surfaces in rhetoric questioning the patriotism of Jewish public figures and has been used to justify discrimination against Jews in government, military, and public life.
The Puppet Master Myth — A conspiracy theory claiming that Jews secretly control global financial systems, media, politics, and institutions to advance a hidden agenda. It is among the most pervasive antisemitic conspiracy theories and directly embodies the "punching up" dynamic, portraying Jews not as a marginalized community but as an all-powerful force manipulating society from behind the scenes.
The Great Replacement Theory — A conspiracy theory alleging that Jews and other elites are deliberately orchestrating the replacement of white populations in America and Western Europe with immigrants of color. It frames demographic change as an intentional plot rather than a natural social phenomenon, and has directly inspired several mass casualty attacks in the United States.
QAnon — A far-right conspiracy theory originating in 2017, claiming that a secret cabal of elites controls global governments, media, and financial institutions, a claim rooted heavily in antisemitic tropes. QAnon also draws on the medieval blood libel, the false claim that Jews murder Christian children for ritual purposes. QAnon adherents have been linked to numerous incidents of political violence across the United States.
Antisemitism and Political Violence: Key Incidents
The following incidents illustrate how antisemitic conspiracy theories translate into real-world violence and anti-democratic extremism. In each case, the perpetrator was animated by one or more of the conspiracy theories defined above.
Charlottesville Unite the Right Rally (2017) In August 2017, white supremacists and neo-Nazis descended on Charlottesville, Virginia, openly chanting “Jews will not replace us.” The rally made clear that the Great Replacement Theory was no longer a fringe internet phenomenon but an organizing framework for a resurgent white nationalist movement willing to take to the streets. One counter-protester, Heather Heyer, was murdered when a rally participant drove a car into a crowd.
Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting (2018) On October 27, 2018, a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing eleven worshippers. The assailant believed that Jews were deliberately engineering the destruction of white civilization through refugee resettlement, a direct expression of the Great Replacement Theory. It remains the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.
January 6th Capitol Insurrection (2021) On January 6, 2021, a mob stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of a democratic election. QAnon animated a significant portion of the crowd. Rioters wore “Camp Auschwitz” shirts and carried white nationalist symbols explicitly targeting Jews as enemies of Western civilization, illustrating how antisemitic conspiracy theories can serve as an accelerant for broader anti-democratic extremism.
Colleyville Hostage Crisis (2022) In January 2022, a gunman took a rabbi and three congregants hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, demanding the release of a convicted terrorist. The hostage-taker believed that a rabbi could personally intervene with the US government on his behalf, reflecting the Puppet Master Myth's false claim that Jewish community leaders hold direct, hidden control over American political institutions. After an 11-hour standoff, the remaining hostages escaped and the hostage-taker was killed by FBI tactical officers.
Arson Attack on Governor Josh Shapiro's Home (2025) In April 2025, an assailant set fire to the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Jewish public official, during Passover, while his family was inside. The attacker told a 911 dispatcher that he “will not take part in his plans,” appearing to reference Shapiro's alleged role in harming Palestinians, a claim rooted in the conspiracy theory that Jewish public figures exercise disproportionate, hidden control over American foreign policy.
Capital Jewish Museum Shooting (2025) In May 2025, a gunman murdered Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky outside a Jewish community event in Washington, D.C., shouting "free Palestine" as he opened fire. The attack reflects the dangerous conflation of Jewish identity with Israeli government policy, the belief that Jewish people collectively represent, control, or are responsible for the actions of a foreign government.
Boulder Firebombing Attack (2025) In June 2025, a man used a makeshift flamethrower to attack a demonstration calling for the release of Israeli hostages, injuring dozens. One victim, Karen Diamond, later died from her injuries. The attacker told investigators he was driven by a desire to “kill all Zionist people,” using “Zionist” as a code word for Jewish people.
Temple Israel Attack (2026) In March 2026, a gunman drove a truck loaded with gasoline and fireworks through the preschool entrance of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the largest Reform synagogue in the United States, while over 100 children and staff were inside. The attacker had searched online for “the largest gathering of Israelis in Michigan” before selecting Temple Israel as his target.
These incidents stem from a common root: antisemitic conspiracy theories, left unchallenged, animate antisemitic violence. There is no inclusive democracy without Jewish safety. Antisemitism corrodes the fabric of democratic society, and if the Jewish community isn't safe, none of us are. Likewise, there is no Jewish safety without inclusive democracy. Efforts to confront antisemitism that undermine democratic institutions disregard the very system that has made Jewish safety in the United States possible.