How Do We Stop Pogroms and Riots in Amsterdam, Germany — and America?

Seventy-six years after the Holocaust, Jewish communities find themselves grappling with a haunting reality: antisemitism is not a relic of the past—it is alive and thriving. From the streets of Amsterdam to the campuses of America, hate has found fertile ground once again. The pressing question is no longer “Why is this happening?” but “How do we stop it?”

A Chilling Resurgence

In Amsterdam, mobs hunted Jewish soccer fans, beating them with clubs and explosives mere days after a match. Berlin followed suit, mirroring the terror of Kristallnacht. Arrests were made, but most perpetrators were quickly released. Even worse, Amsterdam’s mayor shockingly shifted blame to the victims, excusing the violence as a reaction to their presence.

As Daniel Pomerantz of RealityCheck aptly writes, “Europe’s passive response sends a message: antisemitism is tolerated.” This inaction is more than negligence—it is an open invitation for hate to grow unchecked.

It’s Happening Here

The rise in antisemitism is not confined to Europe. In the U.S., Jewish students have been blocked from entering school buildings, evoking echoes of the civil rights battles of the 1950s. Yet the decisive action of leaders like President Eisenhower in Little Rock is glaringly absent today. Instead, silence from those in power allows fear and hatred to fester.

Pomerantz recounts a chilling experience in Chicago, where a protest against Israel devolved into a mob waving Nazi flags, chanting “death to Jews,” and burning effigies. The response? Police asked counter-protesters to leave, prioritizing their safety over addressing the mob's violent hate speech.

How Did We Get Here?

This resurgence can be traced back to the 2001 Durban Conference, where Palestinian leaders launched a long-term strategy known as the “diplomatic intifada.” Billions of dollars have since been poured into shaping anti-Israel sentiment in the West, exploiting weak enforcement of existing laws to create a culture where antisemitism thrives.

Real Solutions, Real Hope

But there is a way forward. Universities like Vanderbilt and Haifa in Israel have demonstrated that intolerance can be curbed through decisive action. At Vanderbilt, violent students were arrested, sending a clear message of zero tolerance. Haifa University enforced disciplinary measures, creating a rare haven of Jewish-Arab coexistence even amidst conflict. These examples prove that leadership—rooted in swift and uncompromising accountability—makes a difference.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed bold steps, including revoking visas for foreign students who engage in antisemitic violence and cutting funding for universities that fail to protect Jewish students. His commitment sets a strong precedent, but meaningful change begins with us.

When antisemitism surfaces—whether on campuses, in workplaces, or on the streets—we must raise our voices and demand action. Silence is complicity, and history reminds us of the dire cost of inaction.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about laws or policies; it’s about who we are as a society. Are we willing to tolerate hatred, or will we take a stand? As Modern-Day Esthers, we are called to protect the vulnerable, champion justice, and shine a light in the darkness.

We’ve recently reported on incidents in Chapel Hill, where a government-sanctioned banner glorifying violence sparked outrage, and at Microsoft, where Jewish employees faced harassment. These are not isolated events—they are part of a disturbing pattern that must be confronted head-on.

History has shown us the cost of silence, but it has also shown us the power of unity. Together, we can ensure that justice prevails and hate has no place in our world. It starts with us—standing boldly and speaking out for what is right.

Read the full article by Daniel Pomerantz on The Algemeiner.