The persecution of Jews has deep historical roots that span thousands of years and involve a complex mixture of religious, social, economic, and political factors. Key reasons include:
- Religious Intolerance: After Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, Jews were often targeted due to religious differences. Jews rejected Christian beliefs about Jesus as the Messiah, leading to accusations such as the wrongful charge of "Christ-killing" that fueled hostility across medieval Christian Europe.
- Scapegoating and Stereotypes: Over centuries, Jews were often portrayed as outsiders or enemies within societies. Negative stereotypes included accusations of economic manipulation (such as usury or controlling wealth) and conspiracy theories. These perceptions led to social exclusion, expulsions, and violent attacks.
- Political and Social Factors: Jews often lived as minorities within larger empires and states. Their distinct religion and customs made them targets during times of political upheaval. Expulsions and persecutions sometimes accompanied broader societal crises or were driven by rulers seeking to consolidate power by scapegoating Jewish communities.
- Historical Violence and Expulsions: From ancient times through the medieval and modern periods, Jews faced expulsions, forced conversions, and violent pogroms. The most horrific manifestation was the Holocaust under Nazi Germany, aiming for the systematic extermination of Jews based on racist ideology.
Thus, Jewish persecution over time stems from religious conflicts, social scapegoating, economic envy, and political opportunism embedded deeply in history, making antisemitism one of the oldest and most persistent forms of hatred.