Modern Antisemitism Built on Old Jewish Stereotypes Royal Commission 2026

Old tropes about Jewish people, such as those found in the fraudulent and debunked Protocols of the Elders of Zion, have morphed and been melded into modern-day antisemitism, the Australian royal commission has heard. On Thursday morning, the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion heard from Dr Dave Rich, the Community Security Trust’s policy director. Most of the hearings at the commission, set up in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, have focused on people’s lived experiences of antisemitism, but Thursday’s hearing examined how antisemitism developed and how it should be defined.

Dr Rich described antisemitism as “prejudice, discrimination, hostility or hatred towards Jewish people, Jewish organisations, Jewish institutions, or people perceived to be Jewish” that can manifest in both violent and non-violent ways. “Broadly speaking, it’s built on a set of negative stereotypes, attitudes and tropes about Jews,” he said. Governments must define antisemitism in order to develop policies against it, he added, while acknowledging there would always be “edge cases” where good faith disagreements arise over whether something is antisemitic.

The IHRA Definition and Its Controversies

Dr Rich discussed the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which is used by many groups, including in Australia. Critics have argued it can conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. However, Rich described it as a “practical tool” to identify antisemitism and cautioned that people shouldn’t get hung up on it as a strict definition. He noted that its imprecision is actually its strength, and that people on both sides often misread and over-interpret it.

In other cases, Rich said, antisemitism is very often a “shadow form of legitimate discussion,” and that sometimes “we have to tread delicately in teasing them apart.” He emphasized that the debate is highly emotive, with people’s feelings often linked to their personal identity. “I think it is only right that when a complaint is made and an investigator comes to that complaint, all these things are taken into account … rather than just branding someone an antisemite because they used a particular word or a particular phrase,” he explained.

Historical Tropes That Persist Today

Rich took commissioner Virginia Bell through the long history of antisemitism and how those tropes developed and persist. Some of the most enduring stereotypes include:

• Greed and stinginess – stemming from medieval Jewish moneylenders
• Christ killers – a charge that persisted for 1,000 years until a 1965 papal declaration
• Blood libel – the entirely false and “bizarre” accusation that Jews committed infanticide against Christian children
• Global conspiracy – epitomized by the fraudulent Protocols of the Elders of Zion

These old tropes have been adapted and weaponized in modern contexts, including online hate speech, political rhetoric, and violence. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents have surged globally in recent years, with many perpetrators drawing directly from these historical narratives.

Modern Manifestations of Antisemitism

Today, antisemitism appears in both overt and subtle forms. Online platforms have become breeding grounds for conspiracy theories that recycle the Protocols narrative, often targeting Jewish philanthropists or politicians. In Australia, the royal commission heard that antisemitic attacks have increased, particularly after the Bondi terror attack, with Jewish schools and synagogues requiring heightened security.

Dr Rich stressed that distinguishing legitimate criticism of Israel from antisemitism remains a challenge. He urged investigators to consider context, intent, and impact rather than relying on a checklist of phrases. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has noted that antisemitic incidents often spike during conflicts in the Middle East, suggesting a link between geopolitical events and local hate crimes.

FAQ: Understanding Modern Antisemitism

What is the IHRA definition of antisemitism?

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” It includes examples such as calling for the killing of Jews, making mendacious claims about Jews or Israel, and denying the Holocaust.

How have old Jewish stereotypes evolved into modern antisemitism?

Historical tropes like the blood libel and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion have been repackaged for the internet age. For example, the myth of Jewish global control now appears in memes and YouTube videos targeting Jewish financiers or media figures. The ADL reports that these stereotypes fuel harassment, vandalism, and violent attacks against Jewish communities worldwide.

What can be done to combat antisemitism today?

Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach: education about Jewish history and the Holocaust, legislation that clearly defines and penalizes hate crimes, and platform accountability to remove hate speech online. The royal commission in Australia is expected to propose policy recommendations later this year, focusing on social cohesion and community safety.