Auto-antisemitism: The Enemy Within

In a world where antisemitism is on the rise and the very fabric of the Jewish community seems to be fraying, what role do Jews themselves play in perpetuating this hatred? This was the central question explored in a recent episode of TheJewFunction podcast, where hosts Lio and Seth engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Norma Livne, author and researcher on antisemitism.

Livne, who has lived and worked around the world, brought a unique perspective to the conversation, drawing on her experiences confronting antisemitism both from the outside and within the Jewish community. Her latest book, Jewish Self-Hatred: The Enemy Within, delves into the perplexing phenomenon of Jews actively working against their own people and the State of Israel.

This idea of Jewish self-hatred, or auto-antisemitism, was a central theme throughout the discussion. Livne argued that it stems from a deep-seated desire among some Jews to be accepted by the wider society, even at the cost of rejecting their own roots and identity. “They want to refuse their roots because they feel that if they sympathize with other causes that are against Israel, they will be likable,” she said. “And they will be better accepted. It’s not very popular, especially these days, to be pro-Israel.”

But as host Lio pointed out, this phenomenon is not new. Throughout Jewish history, there have been instances of Jews turning against their own people, from the destruction of the Second Temple due to “unfounded hatred” among Jews, to the more recent examples of figures like George Soros and Howard Horowitz actively undermining Israel and Jewish interests.

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many examples throughout our history as Jewish people,” Livne lamented. “And it goes back to the Temple. The destruction of the Temple was due to unfounded hatred. And it’s not a new story. Only a few years ago, there was a resolution by the German parliament saying that the BDS was antisemitic, and right after that, there was a letter signed by Jewish scholars, more than 250 Jewish scholars and also Israeli personalities, rejecting that.”

So what drives this self-destructive impulse among some Jews? For Livne, it is rooted in a deep internal conflict and a rejection of the Jewish people’s unique role and mission in the world. “There’s an inner or more in-depth reason, which is the internal conflict of someone who refuses to be Jewish or to implement our call to action, which is to be an example to the world of unity,” she argued.

This idea that the Jewish people have a special responsibility to model unity and brotherhood for the rest of humanity was a recurring theme in the discussion. Livne and the hosts grappled with the question of how to awaken this sense of shared purpose and destiny among Jews, especially in an era of increasing polarization and disconnection.

“We exist for that particular reason,” Livne insisted. “That’s the goal. That’s why we were created, to begin with, but we are not doing it. So there’s a rejection or a demand, to say it better, from the world toward us for that reason.”

But as host Seth pointed out, this is easier said than done. Even among Jews who might intellectually accept this idea of a shared mission, there is often a lack of practical understanding of what it entails or how to implement it in their daily lives. “Suppose we all agree that you’re right,” he said. “Suppose you talk to every Jew and every Jew says, ‘Alright, fine, I don’t really get it, but I’m willing, everything else is not working, I’m willing to try.’ What to even do? It’s not as if everyone is looking at Jews to bring the whole world to happiness, and nor do Jews necessarily know what they are supposed to do in order to achieve this.”

This sense of confusion and disconnection is especially acute among younger generations of diaspora Jews, many of whom feel increasingly alienated from Israel and their Jewish identity. Livne shared the story of her own son, who was accepted to an American university but decided not to attend after the antisemitic demonstrations on campus following the May 2021 conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“He didn’t feel that kind of protection or safety being abroad,” she recalled. “For so many years, I felt something like a family when I saw others from the Jewish community. And this is the kind of connection that makes us unique. And this is what we need to preserve, and we also need to enhance, to increase.”

But how can this sense of familial connection and shared destiny be fostered in a world that often seems bent on tearing Jews apart? For Livne, the answer lies in focusing on what unites Jews rather than what divides them, and in cultivating a deep sense of pride and purpose in one’s Jewish identity.

“We need to focus on what unites us and not what separates us, which is the current state,” she argued. “We’re always trying to find those spots that divide us. It doesn’t matter if we are one people. We have the same roots.”

This is easier said than done, of course, in a community as diverse and fractious as the Jewish people. As Lio pointed out, even among religious authorities, there are often debates about who “counts” as a Jew and who should be included in the communal tent. But for Livne, these divisions pale in comparison to the existential threat facing Jews as a whole.

“When we see that our enemies are looking at us with a magnifying lens, and it’s amazing the way they are checking every single detail of what’s going on in Israel and in the Jewish community, we have no option,” she insisted. “I think that’s the main thing, that we have no alternative. We have tried everything. Everything depends on us. It’s really up to us what our destiny will be.”

Ultimately, for Livne and the hosts of the Jew Function, the key to combating antisemitism, both from without and within, lies in awakening a sense of shared responsibility and higher purpose among Jews. It is not enough simply to react to external threats or to bemoan the actions of self-hating Jews; rather, the Jewish people must proactively work to model the kind of unity and brotherhood they wish to see in the world.

“We are a conduit to bring that light to the world,” Livne said. “It’s a light unto the nations. It’s a tenet that was created by the Jewish people. It’s part of our foundation, the love of your neighbor as yourself.”

This is a tall order, to be sure, especially in a world that often seems to be growing darker by the day. But as the Jew Function podcast reminds us, it is a challenge that the Jewish people have risen to time and again throughout their history. And if they can summon the courage and clarity to do so once more, there is no telling what heights they might reach, not only for themselves but for all of humanity.

“In truth, everything depends on the children of Israel,” Livne read from the Sfat Emet, “As much as they correct themselves, all creations follow them.”

It is a powerful message and one that feels more urgent than ever in our divided and troubled times. And as the conversation drew to a close, one could sense a glimmer of hope and determination in the voices of Livne and her hosts — a resolve to keep striving, to keep shining a light in the darkness, no matter the obstacles in their way.

As Livne reminded us, the stakes could not be higher, not only for the Jewish people but for the entire human family. “There’s no time to wait,” she said urgently. “It’s our only solution.”

May we all find the strength and wisdom to heed that call and to work together to build a world of greater unity, understanding, and peace. And may the light of the Jewish people continue to shine brightly, illuminating the way forward for all of us.