Deciphering the New Antisemitism

The 18 essays assembled in this illuminating book explore what editor Rosenfeld (Resurgent Antisemitism) identifies as a recent increase in global anti-Semitism. The many thoughtful and informative articles include Bernard Harrison’s parsing of claims concerning the Holocaust’s uniqueness; Gunther Jikeli and Sina Arnold’s analyses of anti-Semitism in, respectively, France and the American left; and Eirik Eiglad’s look at connections between anarchism and anti-Zionism. Jean Axelrad Cahan contributes an impassioned essay about how the work of social constructionists in literary theory, such as Edward Said, Erich Auberbach, and Hayden White, might delegitimize Israeli statehood by challenging its foundational national story. The essays occasionally fall into polemics, labeling opponents as idiots and crackpots, but most take pains to be fair to the individuals whose ideas the authors oppose. This volume, rich in information, is not for the casual reader, but is recommended as a valuable compilation of research and analysis that will help concerned readers track the evolution of anti-Semitism and determine which trends are most worrisome. (Jan.)