When someone denies Jews opportunities or services that are available to others, it’s discrimination. Antisemitic discrimination can happen in workplaces, schools, housing, or public services, creating barriers and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. It limits Jewish participation in public life and can also intersect with other forms of discrimination, like racism, sexism, or homophobia, especially for Jews with multiple marginalized identities.

Additionally, antisemitic discrimination can prevent Jews from connecting with other communities and may discourage them from fully embracing their own Jewish identity.

Through law-making, nations around the world each define when antisemitism becomes criminal. Generally, antisemitic crimes target people or property — such as schools, synagogues, or cemeteries — because they are Jewish or linked to Jews.

In the U.S., antisemitic discrimination may not always be a crime, but it can be a civil offense. Furthermore, if a crime like assault or vandalism is motivated by antisemitism, it may result in harsher penalties, reflecting the severity of hate-based violence and property damage targeting Jewish communities.

Criticizing the state of Israel or its policies, similar to how one might critique any other government, isn’t necessarily antisemitism. Disagreement with Israeli policies doesn’t mean someone is stereotyping or discriminating against Jews. Supporting Palestinian rights or advocating for a Palestinian state is also not inherently antisemitic. Many Jews, both in the U.S. and globally, are critical of Israeli policies.

However, criticism becomes antisemitic when it relies on harmful stereotypes or targets a person’s Jewish identity rather than focusing on their actions or decisions as a public figure or leader.