Antisemitism Across Democracies: Lessons from France, Europe, and the United States

This course will explore the dynamics of contemporary antisemitism in France, Europe, and the United States, drawing connections between ideological, political, and social trends. It will analyze how antisemitism mutates across different contexts — from Islamist extremism to far-right populism, to far-left anti-Zionism and ‘woke’ relativism — and how state and civil society responses shape democratic resilience. By situating these phenomena in both European and American contexts, the course will highlight patterns of convergence and divergence, as well as the geopolitical dimensions that link local prejudice to global ideological warfare.

Students will gain an understanding of:

• The transformation of antisemitism in liberal democracies since 2000.
• The interplay of ideology (Islamism, populism, postcolonialism), geopolitics (Middle East conflicts, foreign state funding), and domestic politics.
• Policy responses: legal frameworks, education, civil society advocacy, and the role of transatlantic cooperation.

Session 1: France as a Laboratory of Contemporary Antisemitism

France has been at the epicenter of antisemitic violence and ideological antisemitism for over two decades. This session examines the convergence of Islamist, far-right, and far-left antisemitism, and how they shape French public debate. It will also assess how French society, government, and Jewish communities have responded, including both successes and limitations.

Session 2: Antisemitism in France and the US — Comparative Patterns and Cross-Influences

This session will compare the evolution of antisemitism in France and the United States, highlighting both distinct trajectories and transatlantic interactions. We will analyze how movements and ideas cross borders — from the importation of French theories (postcolonialism, critical race theory) into American campus debates, to the influence of U.S. racial politics and activism on European discourse. The session will also examine the interplay of far-left anti-Zionism, far-right conspiracies, and Islamist narratives, and how each country’s political culture shapes responses. By looking at how the French and American contexts mirror, diverge, and sometimes reinforce one another, we can better understand the globalization of antisemitism.

Session 3: Antizionism, International Institutions, and the Geopolitics of Hate

This session examines how antisemitism is globalized through international institutions, NGOs, and foreign state actors. It will highlight the role of the Durban Conference (2001), the reconfiguration of antiracism, and the delegitimization of Israel as a form of antisemitism. Comparisons will be drawn between how these dynamics resonate in France, Europe, and the United States.

Session 4: Defending Democracy: Policy, Advocacy, and Future Strategies

The final session focuses on solutions. What lessons can the U.S. draw from Europe, and vice versa? How can legal frameworks (e.g. IHRA definition, hate-speech laws, anti-discrimination statutes), education, and civic advocacy be mobilized? The session will conclude with reflections on transatlantic cooperation, the need to confront foreign influence (Iran, Qatar, Russia), and the importance of articulating a democratic, universalist response to antisemitism.

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