Antisemitism

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

In modern usage, antisemitism is a prejudice not against all Semitic people, but specifically against Jews. Some describe a "new antisemitism" in which varying degrees of criticism of Israel is really aimed at the Jewish people.

The term is sometimes awkward, as Arabs, a dominant Muslim group, are Semites. The less than ideal term Islamophobia has been used as a rough equivalent, although both can be considered an offense to semantics, if not Semitics.

One major issue is whether criticism of Zionism equates to antisemitism; there are strong opinions on both sides.