Abstract: Antisemitism increasingly circulates through digital networked publics where distant conflicts are reinterpreted as locally meaningful moral dramas. Drawing on qualitative discourse analysis of four influential Telegram channels based in Russia’s regions of Tatarstan and Dagestan, this article examines how Israel-related antisemitic narratives transform the war in Gaza from a remote tragedy into a local meaning-making event. Combining cultural trauma theory, social identity theory, and scapegoating approaches, the study conceptualizes antisemitism not merely as a pre-existing prejudice but as a symbolic repertoire that assigns roles of victims, perpetrators, and witnesses, thereby stabilizing collective identities and establishing moral boundaries. The analysis identifies a hybrid narrative framework in which Soviet and post-Soviet anti-Zionist and conspiratorial tropes, including Nazi analogies and Holocaust inversion, intersect with contemporary anti-Western and pan-Islamic narratives, alongside blood libel, dehumanization, “Jewish privilege,” and self-victimization. Despite stark differences in socioeconomic, demographic, and institutional contexts, Dagestani and Tatar channels reproduce similar binary interpretative schemas. The findings show how networked scapegoating and mediated cultural trauma enable antisemitic discourse to flourish in semi-public, non-extremist spaces, organizing perceptions of global politics and legitimizing hostility toward an out-group while also illuminating broader dynamics of reactive conflict spillover and moralized enemy construction in digital environments.
Abstract: This article explores the paradoxical phenomenon of far-right “philosemitism,” in which political movements historically steeped in antisemitism present themselves as defenders of Jews and allies of Israel. Drawing on contemporary examples—such as the French National Rally’s claim to be a “shield for Jews,” and the American evangelical alliances with Israel—the study situates these gestures within a longer trajectory of far-right ambivalence toward Jews. While often dismissed by pundits and scholars as simply opportunistic weaponization of antisemitism, these pro-Jewish stances also reveal deeper discursive and ideological functions: self-legitimation, moral licensing, and the repositioning of Jews as symbolic allies against other outgroups. This article identifies such ambivalence in early 20th-century European thought, highlighting case studies from the German Empire where figures such as Börries von Münchhausen, Wilhelm Schwaner, and Max Hildebert Boehm articulated versions of philosemitism that combined admiration with exclusionary imperatives. Across contexts, a recurring logic emerges: a dualistic “Good Jew/Bad Jew” distinction, whereby “authentic” Jews—biblical, assimilated, or nationalist—are praised, while “inauthentic” Jews—cosmopolitan, liberal, or diasporic—are condemned. By historicizing far-right “philosemitism,” its function, and significance, this article is an attempt to combat its harmful normalizing effects.
Abstract: This article conducts a multi-scalar analysis of the dynamics between secularism and religion in contemporary Sweden and highlights a growing divide between them, in the wake of neoliberal reconfigurations of the welfare state and a stronger religious pluralism in public space. In the first part of the analysis, we examine the public debate around conversion attempts and state funding for religious organizations. We show that a stronger culturalization and politicization of religion has resulted in a growing secular/religion divide, shaping religion as the Other and as the opposite of secularity, which, in return, becomes equated with values of equality and freedom. In the second part of the analysis, we highlight how such a secular/religion divide constructs religion as the main problem of religious queer people. Drawing on an analysis of the lived experiences of trans and queer people from Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions, we challenge this divide. Ultimately, the article proposes that there is a need for more spaces that are both queer inclusive and religiously affirmative, rather than stronger state regulation and limitation of religious spaces, and we present some routes ahead for further research in response to the challenges and vulnerabilities detected.
Abstract: Cet article analyse le sens stéréotypique et cinétique du terme « sioniste » dans les médias français contemporains. Partant du constat d’une instabilité sémantique accrue, notamment dans le contexte du conflit israélo-palestinien, l’étude interroge les usages médiatiques du mot et leur possible articulation avec des formes d’antisémitisme. S’appuyant sur la théorie de la Sémantique des Possibles Argumentatifs, l’auteure examine des collocations extraites du corpus frTenTen, telles que « entité sioniste », « lobby sioniste », « régime sioniste », ainsi que des constructions prédicatives du type « Les sionistes sont… ». L’analyse met en lumière l’activation, la désactivation et la transformation des associations stéréotypiques liées au noyau lexical de « sioniste ». Les résultats montrent que, si certains emplois demeurent neutres ou positifs, une part importante des occurrences étudiées véhicule des connotations négatives, conspirationnistes ou délégitimées. L’article souligne ainsi le caractère dynamique du sens lexical : les usages discursifs contribuent à remodeler le noyau sémantique du terme. En définitive, l’étude met en évidence la porosité possible entre la critique politique et le discours discriminatoire dans l’espace médiatique contemporain.
Abstract: Crisis situations foster the proliferation of various conspiracy beliefs, especially in the current high-choice media environment. Drawing on a national survey (n = 1,000), we show that in Romania, in the context of the current Hamas–Israel conflict, antisemitic attitudes, sourcing news from social media rather than from mainstream media and frequent church attendance correlate with stronger beliefs in conspiracy narratives. Antisemitism is the most powerful predictor, but only in the form of conviction that Israel controls the media, politics, money and power. Additionally, gender and age are also significant correlates, with younger women more prone to such beliefs.
Topics: Israel: Attitudes to Israel, Israel: Criticism, Israel: Jewish and Israeli Advocacy, Hasbarah and Lobbying, Israel: Jewish Attachment, Israel: Non-Jewish Support, Solidarity and Advocacy, Main Topic: Other, Palestinian Solidarity and Activism, Post-Colonial, National Identity
Abstract: Issued in November 1917 to pledge Britain’s support for the “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,” the Balfour Declaration has had dramatic historical repercussions, paving the way for the founding of Israel in 1948, the Palestinian Nakba, and the persistence of bloodshed. Tracing the complex dynamic of postcolonial guilt, self-exculpation, and amnesia that characterized various British responses to the Declaration over the years, the article examines how this dynamic shaped the numerous events held across the United Kingdom in November 2017 to mark the Declaration’s centenary. These commemorative events – allowing different communities to articulate the relationship between Britain’s historical accountability, Israel’s sovereignty, and Palestinians’ grievances – are read in light of two interrelated “post-postimperial” developments preoccupying Britain in 2017: a new conservative backlash against the seeping British willingness to acknowledge Britain’s colonial crimes, and the Brexit crisis, with its complex resonances of imperial legacies.
Abstract: This explorative study examines contemporary forms of antisemitism and the perceptions of Jewish identity among young, highly educated Greeks. Using a structured questionnaire, the study investigated (1) how participants define Jewishness, (2) their endorsement of classical and aggressive antisemitic stereotypes, (3) perceptions of Israel and Israel-related antisemitism, and (4) the subjective perception of antisemitism in education and society. Results indicate that while overtly aggressive antisemitic attitudes are largely rejected, ancestry-based and ethno-religious definitions of Jewishness remain prevalent. Classical stereotypes, particularly regarding economic power, intellectual ability, and intra-group solidarity, persist selectively. Israel is recognized as a legitimate state, yet participants hold generally negative views of its democratic character. Antisemitism in Greek society and education is perceived as marginal, suggesting that subtle, normalized forms of prejudice may escape recognition. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions that address both overt and subtle forms of antisemitism.
Abstract: In November 2024, violence following a football match in Amsterdam was framed as evidence of migrant men’s failed integration into Dutch society. The frame achieved discursive dominance, anchoring public debate, and was adopted by the government before empirical substantiation. We examine the affective-discursive processes behind the frame’s salience amid conjunctural conditions and heightened collective anxieties. We conceptualize anxiety-fear arrangements as configurations of affective relations between socio-material elements. Frames, as meaning-making devices, organize meanings and orient emotions, shaping relations within arrangements. Through a multimodal discourse analysis of political statements, parliamentary transcripts and media items, we trace how the failed integration frame organized meanings, channeling collective anxieties onto tangible objects of fear: migranticized bodies, objects and places. The frame became salient through precedence, emotional intensity, cultural resonance and moral certainty. Empirically, we illustrate how bodies are ‘migranticized’ through framing. Conceptually, the anxiety-fear arrangement provides an operative template to understand meaning-making in conjunctures.
Abstract: В статье проводится социологический анализ этнографического материала, собранного в молодежных еврейских организациях Санкт-Петербурга. Согласно последним проведенным исследованиям, современные молодые
евреи испытывают «кризис идентичности», проявляющийся в снижении интереса к еврейской культуре и истории, и связанный с ним «кризис сакрального», заключающийся в размывании его границ и снижении осведомленности об иудаизме. Также петербургские общины редко становятся объектом социологического и антропологического анализа, что делает данное исследование особенно актуальным. Целью исследования было выявить, что является «сакральным» для молодых евреев Петербурга и как его защищают. В результате, на примере четырех еврейских организаций, показано, что для их участников сакральным является «еврейство», а также два нарратива о нем: «консервативный» и «прогрессивный», различающиеся в том, какое содержание вкладывается в понятие «еврейства». В первом случае — религия и традиции, во втором — культура
и самоопределение. Также делается вывод о связи структуры организаций и строгости классификации «сакрального» — в более иерархических и сплоченных группах сакральное оберегается от осквернения строже, чем в менее структурированных.
Abstract: Данное исследование фокусируется на теории С. Корнелла о «наполнении» этнической идентичности и «измерениях», которые ее составляют. Статья фокусируется на институциональном «измерении» и на основе этнографических данных, собранных в процессе реализации студенческого исследовательского проекта «Поля сакрального и религиозного в городском пространстве» (НИУ ВШЭ — Санкт-Петербург, 2025), предполагает, что не только общность, но и разобщенность институтов может служить «наполнением» коллективной
этнической идентичности молодых евреев. Для этого автор вводит неоинституциональное по своей природе понятие «института еврейства», в рамках которого показывает возможную институциональную разобщенность еврейской молодежи Санкт-Петербурга. Используются данные наблюдений, собранных в процессе посещения мероприятий четырех еврейских общинных центров в Петербурге, и интервью, проведенных с молодыми евреями в Санкт-Петербурге. Автор статьи предлагает расширение теории Корнелла.
Abstract: Mit den kleinen Pflastersteinen zum Gedenken an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus, den Stolpersteinen, die Gunter Demnig 1990 konzipierte und seitdem in Deutschland in Bürgersteige verlegt, traf der Künstler sofort einen Nerv von Anwohnern, Passanten sowie zivilgesellschaftlichen und politischen Akteuren. Auch nach 25 Jahren haben diese Kleinstdenkmäler nichts von ihrer Überzeugungskraft verloren und heute finden sich Stolpersteine ebenso in 19 anderen europäischen Ländern. Für 120 Euro können Privatpersonen, Verbände, Vereine, Parteien sowie Angehörige oder Freunde der in der NS-Zeit Deportierten und Ermordeten einen 10 x 10 cm großen Messingquader finanzieren, den der Künstler dann mit eingravierten Namen und Daten direkt vor der früheren Wohnstätte eines der Opfer in den Boden verlegt. Diese Stolpersteine setzen Standards in der Geschichte der Denkmalkunst. Sie erinnern an alltägliche Personen, die nicht durch heroische Taten, sondern durch das, was ihnen angetan wurde, bedeutsam sind. Sie lassen erahnen, wie Menschen aus unterschiedlichsten Stadtvierteln willkürlich aus ihrem Lebenszusammenhang gerissen wurden und wie unmittelbar Opfer, Täter und "Zuschauer" miteinander gelebt hatten. Passanten nehmen diese stolperkantenfrei verlegten Steine nur aus größter Nähe wahr und stolpern über sie doch in geistiger Weise, mit der überraschenden Wahrnehmung einer mit individuellen Schicksalen verknüpften geschichtlichen Dimension des Ortes. Durch die einheitliche Form dieser Kleinstdenkmäler werden die unterschiedlichen Opfer symbolisch zusammengeführt und sind auch nicht -was eher der Täterlogik folgen würde -in verschiedene Opfergruppen geteilt (z. B. Juden, Sinti und Roma, Kommunisten oder Homosexuelle). Passanten oder hier Wohnende werden in persönlicher Weise mit einst hier Lebenden und ihrem Leid konfrontiert und können Empathie für diese deportierten und ermordeten Mitmenschen entwickeln. Obwohl die leicht reproduzierbaren Messingobjekte nicht die Qualität eines künstlerischen Originals beanspruchen, sind sie als Merkzeichen geschichtlich authentischer Orte erfahrbar und fordern eine ethische Positionierung ein.
