what is anti semitism

Antisemitism is prejudice against or hatred of Jews. It can take many forms, including religious teachings that proclaim the inferiority of Jews, political efforts to isolate, oppress, or otherwise injure them, and prejudiced or stereotyped views about Jews. Antisemitism has a long history, dating back to the early Christian church and persisting into the 21st century. Nazi antisemitism, which culminated in the Holocaust, had a racist dimension in that it targeted Jews because of their supposed biological characteristics. Antisemitism can be expressed in speech, writing, visual forms, and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits. It can also manifest as the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity, although criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.