People dislike Jews for many different reasons, but none of those reasons are actually justified. The core problem is antisemitism, which is an irrational prejudice against Jews as a group, not something caused by Judaism itself or by “what Jews do.”
What antisemitism is
Antisemitism is hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group. It can show up as hateful stereotypes, conspiracy theories, social exclusion, vandalism, violence, or even state‑sponsored persecution like the Nazi genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust.
Historical religious roots
In the ancient world and especially after Christianity became dominant in Europe, Jews were often treated as religious outsiders because they refused to worship other peoples’ gods or accept Christian beliefs. Some Christian teachings over centuries wrongly portrayed Jews as “God‑killers” or permanently rejected by God, which fueled hostility, segregation, and discriminatory laws.
Scapegoating and conspiracy theories
In many crises—wars, plagues, economic crashes—rulers or angry populations have used Jews as scapegoats, blaming them for society’s problems because they were a visible minority. This led to persistent conspiracy myths (for example, that Jews secretly control governments, banks, or media), which have no evidence but are powerful tools for extremists who want someone to hate.
Being seen as “outsiders”
Jews have often kept distinct religious and cultural practices, which helped preserve their identity but also made them look “different” to majority populations. Because humans tend to distrust groups they see as “not like us,” this difference has repeatedly been twisted into accusations that Jews are disloyal, clannish, or unwilling to “fit in.”
Modern racism and political hatred
From the 1800s onward, new racial theories redefined Jews as a “race,” which added a racist layer to older religious prejudice and helped justify discrimination and violence in supposedly “scientific” terms. In the 20th century, Nazi ideology turned this racism and conspiracy thinking into a program for extermination, culminating in the Holocaust; today, extremists of various political and religious backgrounds still use antisemitic themes for recruitment and propaganda.
If you are asking this because you are running into antisemitic ideas online or in your environment, it is completely reasonable to feel disturbed or confused; none of those ideas are grounded in facts, and it is important to push back on them when it is safe to do so.