What to do with rampant antisemitism: From 1938 Kristallnacht to 2024 Amsterdam

November 9 marked the anniversary of one of history’s darkest events: Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass,” which signaled the beginning of the Nazi onslaught against Europe’s Jews. On November 9-10, 1938, synagogues were torched, Jewish-owned businesses and homes were ransacked, and thousands of Jews were sent to concentration camps. The indifference or complicity of neighbors sent a chilling message: hatred against Jews was tolerated. Today, the rising tide of antisemitism in the United States and around the world makes us wonder if history is repeating itself.

The recent attack on Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam — a brutal mob assault that Dutch police seemed unprepared or unwilling to stop — is but one example of how antisemitism today is increasingly violent and unrestrained. Jewish communities are once again becoming targets, and as Christians, we cannot ignore this. Antisemitic incidents in America, according to the American Defamation League’s (ADL’s) 2023 audit, have surged to record highs,^[1]underscoring an urgent need for action.

Christians, who owe a great spiritual debt to the Jewish people, must speak out and stand with the Jewish people during these dangerous times.

The terrifying rise of antisemitism today

The recent mob violence in Amsterdam and record-breaking antisemitic incidents in the United States, especially on college campuses, paint a grim picture of what Jewish communities now face. The ADL reported a staggering 140% increase in antisemitic attacks ranging from vandalism and harassment to physical assaults targeting synagogues, schools, and individuals.^[2]This wave of hate extends beyond isolated incidents — it’s a pattern that recalls the path Germany followed in the late 1930s, culminating in the Holocaust.

Eyewitnesses to the recent assault on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam likened the violence to a “modern-day pogrom.” Hundreds of attackers stormed the streets, waving flags, hurling insults, and assaulting anyone who appeared to be Israeli. Victims described desperate scenes as they hid in alleyways, fled to hotels, and tried to avoid taxis driven by accomplices who led them into ambushes.^[3]This horrific event serves as a sobering reminder of the extreme consequences of unchecked hatred.

Echoes of 1938 in America

While the violence may seem geographically distant, America has seen similar patterns of antisemitism. Over the last couple of years, a wave of attacks against Jewish students on some of our most prestigious college campuses, vandalized synagogues, and hateful slogans are frighteningly reminiscent of the hate-driven destruction of Kristallnacht. Indeed, on the eve of the 86th anniversary of that horrible night, a six-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy was snatched out of his father’s arms in broad daylight as they walked down a Brooklyn sidewalk together.

Today, this violence cannot go unanswered. History itself highlights how easily antisemitism can gain a foothold with tragic consequences when society allows it. Antisemitism’s pervasiveness over millennia — from ancient Rome to medieval Europe, the pogroms of Russia, and the Holocaust — reveals a deeply ingrained prejudice that demands constant vigilance.

Why Christians have a moral obligation

As Christians, our faith is inextricably tied to Israel and the Jewish people. We share a spiritual heritage and history with them. It was through the Jewish people that God gave us the Scriptures, the prophets, and even Christ Himself. The apostle Paul’s words in Romans 11 remind us that gentile Christians are “grafted” into the same “olive tree” as the Jewish people, urging us to support and cherish them. It is both a moral duty and a biblical command to protect and defend our Jewish neighbors.

Yet, this duty is not merely theological. It is a matter of human decency and responsibility. As the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), we are committed to combating antisemitism worldwide and standing with Israel, the Jewish State. We have long educated Christians on the historical roots of this antisemitic hatred, making it clear that we cannot sit idly by while it resurges. When Jews are targeted in Israel, the United States, or anywhere else in the world, the very foundation of justice and human rights is at stake. History has shown that antisemitism is a bellwether of societal decay — when it takes root, it quickly spreads to threaten other groups, including Bible-believing Christians.

Learning from the past to protect the future

In the face of rising antisemitism, silence is complicity. Just as many German Christians remained passive during Kristallnacht, allowing hatred to escalate into genocide, those who stay silent today enable the forces of hatred to grow stronger. Jewish communities in America and around the world are pleading for allies, and we of all people must answer their call.

Some may argue that our country is different — that we value diversity and freedom. However, recent incidents show that America is not immune. With antisemitic violence at historic highs, American Christians are called to stand against this wave of hatred, advocating for our Jewish neighbors and working to prevent history from repeating itself.

A call to action

But practically speaking, what should we do? First, we must raise awareness and educate our communities about the dangers of antisemitism. Churches, Christian schools, and universities should engage with organizations like the ICEJ to educate on the historical roots and contemporary dangers of antisemitism. Understanding the magnitude of past atrocities like Kristallnacht can help us recognize the importance of taking a stand today.

Second, we must speak out against antisemitism wherever we encounter it. Social media platforms, workplaces, schools, college campuses, and churches must be spaces where antisemitic hatred is confronted. Each of us has a voice, and by raising it, we signal that this behavior has no place in the United States.

Finally, we must show up for the Jewish community, especially in times of crisis. Whether it’s by reaching out to your local synagogue, standing with them at rallies, speaking out to local, state, and federal officials, or simply sending a text to a Jewish friend to check on their well-being so they know they are not alone, these gestures convey that we are committed to standing with them.

Never again is now!

Kristallnacht serves as a harrowing reminder of the destruction that unchecked antisemitism can wreak. The stories from Amsterdam, the statistics on rising antisemitic violence, and the lessons of the past compel us to act. In 2024, we have access to knowledge, resources, and platforms that allow us to raise our voices against antisemitic hatred. There are no excuses for inaction.

The Jewish people have endured unimaginable suffering throughout history, often abandoned by those who should have stood with them. Today, as Christians and as Americans, we have the chance to correct this wrong by standing firmly beside our Jewish brothers and sisters.

In the end, our actions must declare: Not in our country, not in our time, and never again.

[1] “Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2023.” ADL. April 16, 2024. https://www.adl.org/resources/report/audit-antisemitic-incidents-2023.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Staff, TOI. “‘They Came in Masses,’ ‘Attacked Us All’: Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Describe Amsterdam Horrors | The Times of Israel.” The Times of Israel, November 8, 2024. https://www.timesofisrael.com/they-came-in-masses-attacked-us-all-maccabi-tel-aviv-fans-describe-amsterdam-horrors/.