The disturbing words of Egypt’s former president, Mohamed Morsi, captured on tape years ago, urging his followers to “nurse our children and our grandchildren on hatred” for Jews and Zionists, are not an isolated incident. His inflammatory language, echoed by other figures describing Zionists as “bloodsuckers,” “warmongers,” and “descendants of apes and pigs,” unfortunately reflects a broader sentiment prevalent in some parts of the Muslim world. This raises a critical and complex question: why do some Muslims hate Jews? It’s a question that requires a nuanced exploration of history, religion, and politics to understand fully.
Growing up in a Muslim family, the normalization of anti-Jewish sentiment was a stark reality for some. Expressions wishing death upon Jews, considered by some as the “darkest enemy,” were not uncommon in everyday conversations. Religious education in some communities, including prayers in mosques, sometimes reinforced negative views of Jewish people. For too long, the pervasive nature of anti-Jewish sentiment in the Middle East has been downplayed or dismissed in the West as merely the view of fringe radicals. However, the issue is far more widespread and deeply rooted than many acknowledge.
Across the Middle East, anti-Jewish hatred is not confined to extremist groups. It can be found in educational materials for young children, sometimes as young as three years old, often accompanied by disturbing illustrations depicting Jews as monstrous figures. Mainstream television programs, songs, books, newspaper articles, and online platforms sometimes propagate anti-Semitic tropes, comparing Jews to animals like pigs, donkeys, rats, and cockroaches, or to mythical creatures like vampires.
A chilling example of this indoctrination was captured in a televised dialogue with a three-year-old child, years before Morsi’s hateful remarks. When asked by a television presenter, “Do you like Jews?”, the child responded, “No.” Upon further questioning about why, the child stated, “Jews are apes and pigs,” attributing this belief to “Our God” and “the Koran.” Instead of challenging this dangerous misconception, the presenter responded approvingly, praising the child’s supposed faith and wishing blessings upon her family. This segment, broadcast on a popular Saudi-owned satellite channel, “Muslim Woman Magazine,” highlights the disturbing mainstreaming of anti-Semitic views in some parts of the Muslim world.
While condemnation of figures like Morsi is a necessary first step, especially from US administrations and Western media, it is crucial to delve deeper into the underlying causes of this widespread animosity. Understanding the breadth and depth of anti-Jewish sentiment in the Middle East is essential for addressing the complex challenges hindering the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Many reasons have been proposed for the repeated failures to achieve lasting peace, but the words and sentiments expressed by figures like Morsi offer a crucial insight: how can peace be achieved with those perceived as “bloodsuckers and descendants of apes and monkeys”?
Millions of Muslims have been, in some cases, conditioned to see Jews not only as adversaries in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but as enemies of Islam, God, and humanity itself. Influential religious and political leaders have played a significant role in perpetuating this view, often describing Jews with dehumanizing language, such as “the scum of the human race, the rats of the world, the violators of pacts and agreements, the murderers of the prophets, and the offspring of apes and pigs,” as stated by Saudi Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, a prominent imam in Mecca.
Public opinion surveys reflect the prevalence of these negative views. A 2011 Pew survey revealed alarmingly low favorability ratings of Jews in several Muslim-majority countries. In Turkey, only 4% held favorable views, while in Indonesia it was 10%, and in Pakistan a mere 2%. Conversely, overwhelmingly high percentages in countries like Jordan (95%), Egypt (94%), and Lebanon (95%) expressed “very unfavorable” views of Jews.
Historically, peace negotiations have often been conducted with Arab leaders who, while maintaining formal peace treaties, may have simultaneously allowed or even condoned the dissemination of anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist hatred within their societies. As Islamist movements have gained influence, particularly through civil institutions, this indoctrination has continued, shaping the views of younger generations.
The Arab Spring uprisings, while bringing hopes for democracy and self-determination, also highlighted a concerning trend. For some who fought for liberation, ending peace with Israel is considered a key objective. This underscores the urgent need for the United States and other international actors to clearly communicate that such a stance is unacceptable and detrimental to regional stability.
Furthermore, there is a critical role for secular movements within the Middle East to actively challenge and counter the religious incitement of hatred against Jews. These movements must initiate a “counter-education” focused on tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding. Addressing the deep-seated issue of anti-Jewish hatred requires a multi-faceted approach involving political pressure, educational reforms, and the courageous voices of those within the Muslim world who advocate for tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Only through such comprehensive efforts can we hope to dismantle the structures of hatred and pave the way for a more peaceful future in the region.
