Antisemitism on the Rise

“And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them” (Esther 3:8).

When reading the book of Esther, which reveals fascinating historical documentation, we learn of Israel’s deliverance.

Based on the Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible, the book consists of only 1% prophecy; namely, Esther 6:13, where Haman’s wife, Zeresh, anticipates the fall of Haman.

In the above introductory verse, we notice Haman’s sharp mind. He reveals that the Jews are “scattered abroad and dispersed among the people.” And he rightly declares, “their laws are diverse from all people.” But then he inserts a lie: “neither keep they the king’s laws.” Not true.

Mordecai proves the Jews’ dedication. Chapter 6 begins, “On that night could not the king sleep.” What a blessed, sleepless night. Because the king discovered that Mordecai the Jew had saved his life. Thus, he asks: “What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?” (v. 3a). The result? The Jewish national holiday, Purim.

Antisemitism on the Rise

The following are some excerpts from an article in the Jerusalem Post by Sheree Trotter:

The Bondi Beach terror attack on Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah in December 2025 shocked the community in Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. For New Zealand Jews, the incident felt very close to home, as strong familial ties bind the two communities.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion (the Bondi Commission) is currently holding public hearings on the mass shooting, which claimed fifteen innocent lives and injured more than forty others.

The fact that antisemitism is being treated as a national security and social cohesion issue is welcome. Jewish leaders, however, are insistent that the report must lead to lasting institutional and political change rather than simply platitudes and temporary attention.

There have been different eras of Jew hatred in which the Jew is constructed as a villain opposed to the moral currency of the age. In the era of anti-Judaism, the Jews were constructed as the villains because they opposed Christianity. In the era of antisemitism, the Jews were cast as the villains in opposition to the era’s highest moral virtue: racial purity and national vitality. The Jew thus represented the antithesis of racial and national purity.

Anti-Zionism is an ideology that rejects the legitimacy of Jewish sovereignty altogether and assigns collective blame to Jews in relation to the existence of a Jewish state.

The number and severity of reported antisemitic incidents in New Zealand reached unprecedented levels following the 7 October 2023 terror attacks in Israel.

-www.jpost.com, 20 May 2026

It is of interest that these two former British colonies did not have to fight for their independence, but it was simply given to them—as in virtually all cases of the British Commonwealth.

According to the 2026 Global Peace Index rankings, New Zealand is in second place, behind the leader Iceland, with Switzerland in third. Australia also has a remarkable showing, in 20th place (the USA 134th).

On the subject of antisemitism, a Jewish teacher, Sharonne Blum, concludes: “She had also made a promise to herself that she would not finish her speech without mentioning that six months earlier she had buried her husband and sprinkled the soil of Israel in his grave. This act exemplifies the depth of feeling many Jewish people have for Israel. Israel is in their hearts and is core to their identity. These were her final tear-filled words: ‘That is Zionism.’”

Why, we may ask, is there antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and Jew-hatred in such peaceful nations? One may answer: They have a significant number of immigrants, particularly from the Middle East. True, yet that should not affect the whole nation: over 28 million in Australia, and some 5.3 million in New Zealand. Wikipedia lists Australia with 25.8% of the population being foreign-born, and New Zealand 27.5%.

Why Antisemitism?

The Jewish contribution to nations is unequaled.

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) lists 36 items documenting the distinction between the Jews and the rest of the world. Because of limited space, we list the top 10:

1. The Jewish people have survived and thrived for thousands of years despite numerous attempts to eradicate them.

2. Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world.

3. Jewish culture is rich and diverse, with unique traditions and customs.

4. The Jewish people have contributed greatly to science, philosophy, art, music, and literature.

5. The Hebrew language is one of the world’s oldest continuously used languages.

6. Jewish holidays and traditions are celebrated and observed around the world.

7. The Jewish people have a long and fascinating history, including biblical stories and ancient empires.

8. Judaism promotes the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge.

9. Jewish communities have a strong sense of solidarity and support for one another.

10. Jews have played significant roles in social and political movements, including civil rights and women’s rights.

-WorldJewishCongress.org, 1 May 2023

In Esther’s case, we read: “And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them” (Esther 8:17b). Thus, we come to our last question: What is Israel’s future? “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).

Israel is incomparable to any other group of people. After all, Jesus said, “Salvation is of the Jews.”

Let us continue to pray for Israel—in particular, for His Church!