Sample Essay On Challenges On Research Anti-Semitism In Contemporary Europe And Beyond

Research on anti-Semitism in the contemporary age is fraught with so many difficulties. Ani-Semitism constitutes one of the most politically and socially contentious topic. The first challenge is trying to make sure that one’s opinion does not affect the information they gather and how they analyze that particular information.
Since this topic is based on contemporary developments in the relations between people of Jewish origins and other groups across the globe, most of the research and sources available on this topic are newspapers opinions and think tank research which often produce information that support the ideological views of the think tank. Pro-Israel think tanks often write about the emergence of a new form of anti-Semitism led mostly by individuals of Islamic origins. This research and newspaper opinions are grounded in factual occurrences like the Charlie Hebdo Kosher attack in France and other countless episodes of Muslim aggression on Jews in Europe. There are also groups that challenge Israel’s human rights record in the Middle East especially its relations with Palestine. Can their opposition be said to be anti-Semitism? The answer is probably no but anti-Semitism has taken a different form in Europe and beyond. Anti-Semitism from predominantly Muslim groups is overt while anti-Semitism from people of European origin is now covert. Far right groups in Europe have used the Muslim aggression and anti-Semitism to advocate for the curbing of immigration and the end of multiculturalism in Europe. These far right groups expropriate the Muslim-Jewish conflict in Europe for their anti-immigration crusade but do little to aid the Jewish people or in their protection.
A lot of research on Anti-Semitism raises questions that sometimes do not address the nature of anti-Semitism but only how to identify people who might be called anti-Semite. There is a question of Israel which plays a central role in most anti-Semite debates and research. Does an opposition to Israel’s defense tactics in Gaza and a disapproval of how it treats Palestine and the two state solution make one anti-Semite? There is also research and debates that deal with how individuals in the European context try to blame Israeli military operations on Jews living outside the borders of Israel.
Another issue encountered in this research is on how to measure sentiment. Does the apparent silence from European governments mean that they share the same anti-Semite sentiments with the predominantly Muslim groups that are at the fore of anti-Semite attack? Countries like German have a long elaborate history on anti-Semitism. The government’s silence might be a way to try to make sure that it doesn’t take part again in what ended up being a dark chapter in Germany history when the Nazis tried to kill of Jews and exterminate the entire Jewish race. Attacking the Muslims also amounts to a new force of discrimination against a group that is escaping persecuting from Middle East terrorist organizations and repressive states. This makes the topic of anti-Semitism a difficult topic to research. Peer-reviewed research is yet to emerge that looks at the nature of anti-Semitism in contemporary Europe. There is little research done on state response to anti-Semitism because states are afraid of being seen as anti-Muslim. The other problem is that a focus on the Muslim comes off as an accusation of anti-Semitism as only a thing that is relegated to Muslim groups only.
In conclusion, doing research on Anti-Semitism is challenging since it is a hot topic that researchers and individuals are passionate about. The most challenging factor is having to nest one’s own opinions on the topic. Taking oneself out of the research and considering the information provided objectively is challenging.