Different Antisemitisms: On Three Distinct Forms of Antisemitism in C | Page 35

probably none of them would claim that the actions taken by the pyromaniac are only the “top
of the iceberg” of an underlying “pyromanianism” in society. However, when it comes to
Israel-derived antisemitic attacks on Jews, certain commentators tend to do so. Such attacks
are often – rightly or wrongly – interpreted as the top of an iceberg indicating an underlying
and widespread antisemitism in society.
It should be observed that this is fully in line with the ambitions of the antisemitic
perpetrators. It facilitates their exploitation of the attacks for their political purposes.
However, there are also other political forces that have an interest in exploiting Israelderived antisemitic attacks, often instigated by certain Arab/Muslim groups (as they have
proven often to be,) for their own political purposes. One such political force is the populist
anti-Muslim camp in the society. For them it is easy and more than tempting to generalize
from single cases and to make claims like: “Look! That’s how they are! We cannot have
“these Muslims” around in our society!”
Another political force also interested in generalizing and exploiting fear and
antisemitic attacks for their particular political purpose, is the Zionist camp: “Look! That’s
how it is there (in Sweden/ Europe). Antisemitism is ubiquitous in these societies. It has just
manifested its ugly face again. Jews cannot live there.” (Implying: move to Israel, i.e. make
aliyah!)
Our question is: Is there really an “iceberg of antisemitism” underlying the violent
antisemitic attacks that we can indeed observe? Or are we dealing with certain “pyromaniacs”
creating fear among the inhabitants, plus certain, but seemingly opposed, political forces who
are successfully exploiting such fears for their particular political interests?
Either conclusion is in need of empirical evidence to back it up.

Distinctions between the three antisemitisms.
Classic antisemitism, i.e. antisemitism based on traditional antisemitic stereotypes about Jews
is most frequent in the Hungarian population, where it is also by far the predominant form of
antisemitism. Those who manifest this kind of antisemitism are mainly identified as political
right-wingers. This kind of antisemitism is primarily manifested in derogatory verbal personal
or public remarks and acts of social discrimination.
As can be seen in Figure 31 this kind of antisemitism is present to a considerable degree
also in the French population, but much less so in the UK and in particular Sweden.
Israel-derived antisemitism, i.e. attacks on Jews emanating from hostility towards the
State of Israel and/or anger due to actions taken by the Israeli state, is freque