Political analyst Josh Kraushaar recently highlighted a "bitter and frightening irony" regarding Generation Z's stance on antisemitism, despite their strong advocacy for social justice. In a tweet, Kraushaar stated, > "It is a bitter and frightening irony that Generation Z — the cohort likeliest to regard social justice as the highest good and bigotry as an inexcusable evil — is the one least likely to oppose antisemitism, the oldest and most toxic bigotry in history." This observation points to a concerning trend identified by recent studies.
Kraushaar's commentary underscores a perceived disconnect between Gen Z's stated values and their susceptibility to antisemitic views. He suggests that this generation, often at the forefront of anti-racist movements, paradoxically shows less resistance to what he terms the "oldest and most toxic bigotry." This perspective resonates with broader discussions about the nuances of social justice advocacy.
Recent data supports this generational shift. A February 2024 survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that 24 percent of Americans hold antisemitic beliefs, an increase from 20 percent in 2022. Crucially, this study revealed that Millennials and Generation Z now surpass older Americans in agreeing with anti-Jewish tropes, marking a significant reversal from previous trends.
The increase in antisemitic incidents has also been noted, with the ADL tracking a 361 percent rise in the U.S. in the three months following the October 7, 2023, attacks, compared to the same period the previous year. Experts suggest that a contributing factor to these trends among younger demographics may be a lack of Holocaust knowledge. A 2020 Claims Conference study found that a significant number of Millennials and Gen Z did not know 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, expressed concern over these findings, stating that "the sharp reversal, from older generations to younger generations being more likely to hold antisemitic beliefs, is a terrifying concern for our future." The prevalence of misinformation on social media platforms is also cited as a challenge, potentially contributing to the spread of harmful content and distorted historical narratives among younger audiences.