Reflections on the Rise of Antisemitism: Insights from Deborah Lipstadt

In her final reflections as the special envoy to combat antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt discusses the normalization of antisemitism post-October 7, and her hopes for collaboration with Muslim leaders to address this rising issue.

Deborah Lipstadt, who served as the U.S. special envoy to combat antisemitism, has expressed her concerns regarding the alarming rise of antisemitism following the violence that erupted after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack, marked as the deadliest day for Jews since World War II, has had profound implications leading to widespread normalization of hate against Jews, according to Lipstadt.

Appointed during the Biden administration, Lipstadt began her efforts by engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to foster dialogue within Muslim communities to combat antisemitism. She reflected on these initial conversations as positive, filled with potential for meaningful change. However, the events following the attack transformed the landscape radically.

"The dialogue I hoped could evolve has been overshadowed by immense loss and destruction," Lipstadt stated in a recent discussion held in Jerusalem. The ongoing conflict, leading to significant Palestinian casualties and displacement, has intensified the divisions and heighted tensions globally.

As her tenure concludes, Lipstadt returns to her academic position at Emory University, where she will document her experiences in a memoir. Despite being offered a teaching role at Columbia University, she has opted to focus on her writing and reflection during this pivotal time. Lipstadt's experiences illuminate the urgent need to address rising anti-Jewish sentiment in an increasingly polarized world, a sentiment echoed by numerous advocacy organizations globally.