Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for the Friends of Israel Today. I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel, and with me is our host and teacher, Chris Katulka. foiradio.org. That's where you can connect with us. We have nearly a decade of content on the site and it features Chris Katulka's insightful teaching and various interview guests. Again, that's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Steve, we're in the middle of a three-part series on antisemitism and as I mentioned last week, antisemitism is a shapeshifter. It's changed over history. Last week we looked at religious antisemitism. This week we're going to look at genetic or racial antisemitism that we saw take rise in the 19th century.

Steve Conover: It's an important topic. Stay with us. In the news, The Jerusalem Post reports that President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has suggested relocating a portion of the Gazan population to Indonesia when the rebuilding process begins. Witkoff is considering visiting the Gaza Strip so he can see the situation on the ground for himself.

Chris Katulka: Well, Steve, here's my take. It's going to take years to rebuild Gaza and no one exactly knows for sure when that rebuilding will even take place. Additionally, Hamas is still in control of the area, so if the Trump administration can arrange a deal that Gazans are in agreement with, then a move to Indonesia could actually provide more freedom for the Gazan people who suffer under the oppression of its leadership, Hamas. 

Chris Katulka: A few weeks ago, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, the ADL, reported that antisemitism in the United States has risen by an astonishing 900% over the past 10 years. That's right. Targeted attacks against the Jewish people in the United States have surged to unprecedented levels, raising urgent questions and concerns underlying this disturbing trend. This dramatic increase, it's not just a statistic, it reflects a broader societal change that really demands our attention. To address this alarming trend, it is essential to first define antisemitism because I've noticed that a lot of people don't even know what antisemitism means.

Antisemitism is the hatred of the Jewish people, simply put. Historically, it has taken on various forms, morphing to fit the context of different eras while maintaining its core animosity. One of the most horrific manifestations, of course, is the Holocaust, the systematic extermination of 6 million Jewish people by the Nazi regime during World War II. This atrocity begs the question, after such a catastrophic and widely condemned event, why are we going back? Why is history repeating itself? Why has antisemitism risen so drastically in the United States in the past 10 years? The answer lies in understanding the nature of antisemitism. It's a shapeshifter. It doesn't present itself the same way throughout history, but evolves to suit the times and context. Satan uses antisemitism as a tool of warfare against the Jewish people. Israeli journalist, Haviv Rettig Gur, provides a compelling definition of antisemitism, and he actually shared this on the Hugh Hewitt show, that antisemitism is an ancient idea that actually recurs throughout history.

It's the archetype that Jews stand in the way of the redemption of the world. Antisemitism is ultimately the belief that Jews are the ones holding back the world from moving forward, moving forward spiritually, socially, and politically. This belief has been used to blame the Jewish people for a multitude of problems throughout history. Over time, this archetype has manifested itself in three primary forms: religious antisemitism, racial or genetic antisemitism and national antisemitism. Now, last week we explored the history of religious antisemitism. So if you didn't get a chance to hear my message, you can go to foiradio.org to listen to last week's episode and to access nearly 10 years of broadcasts right at your fingertips. So now let's turn to this idea of racial or genetic antisemitism, a darker, more insidious development in the history of the hatred against the Jewish people. 

The shift from religious to racial antisemitism in the 19th century coincided with significant social, political and intellectual changes that were going on. The Enlightenment had promoted ideals of equality and secularism, offering Jewish people in many parts of Europe new opportunities for integration and freedom. However, this period also saw the rise of pseudoscientific theories that sought to classify humanity into distinct racial hierarchies. These theories provided a dangerous framework for dehumanizing Jewish people and other minorities as well. One of the most influential developments was the application of Charles Darwin's theories of evolution to human society. Although Darwin himself did not promote racism or antisemitism, his ideas were co-opted by thinkers who advanced social Darwinism. The belief that human progress was driven by a struggle for survival between races. These theories positioned some groups as inherently superior and others like the Jewish people as biologically inferior and a threat to societal advancement. Anthropologists and eugenicists claimed that physical features, such as skull shape and facial structure, determined intelligence, morality, and behavior.

Jewish people were often depicted as possessing undesirable traits such as greed, deceit, and parasitic traits. These harmful stereotypes fueled prejudice and laid the groundwork for institutionalized discrimination. Eugenics, a movement aimed at improving the genetic quality of human populations, played a significant role in racial antisemitism. Prominent figures like Francis Galton advocated for selective breeding to eliminate "undesirable" traits, and Jews were frequently cast as a racial group that should be eradicated to "purify" society. The pseudoscience of eugenics found willing supporters among politicians, scientists, and social leaders, further entrenching antisemitic beliefs in public policy and societal norms.

Publications like The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a fabricated document alleging a Jewish conspiracy for world domination, further fueled these prejudices. This propaganda, combined with racial pseudoscience, painted Jewish people as a parasitic race bent on undermining societal order, inciting widespread fear and hatred. Such fabricated narratives proved remarkably effective at mobilizing antisemitic sentiments, culminating in devastating consequences for the Jewish people in the 20th century.

The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, adopted racial antisemitism as a core tenet of its ideology. Hitler's book Mein Kampf outlined his belief in an eternal struggle between races, with the "Aryan" race at the pinnacle of humanity and the Jewish people as its mortal enemies. According to Nazi ideology, Jews were not merely a religious group but an insidious racial threat that had to be eradicated to secure the future of the German people.

Unlike religious antisemitism where conversion might offer a means of escape, racial antisemitism was inescapable. Jewish identity was defined by blood, not belief, and even individuals who had converted to Christianity or whose families had assimilated were targeted. The Nazis implemented laws such as the 1935 Nuremberg Laws that categorized individuals as Jewish based on their ancestry regardless of their personal faith or cultural practices. The ultimate expression of racial antisemitism was the Holocaust, the systematic genocide of 6 million Jewish men, women, and children during World War II.

The Nazis viewed the Jewish people as a biological and existential threat to the purity of the Aryan race and sought to eliminate them entirely. The Holocaust was unprecedented. Nazi leaders organized a vast bureaucracy to identify, deport, and murder Jews across Europe. Ghettos, concentration camps, and extermination camps like Auschwitz became instruments of industrialized genocide. Dehumanization was central to the Nazi regime’s efforts. Jewish people were stripped of their rights, labeled with yellow stars, and subjected to brutal propaganda that depicted them as vermin or disease. This dehumanization justified their annihilation in the eyes of many and desensitized the broader population to their suffering.

Racial antisemitism also differed in its emphasis on pseudo-rationality. While religious antisemitism often drew on theological arguments and dogma, racial antisemitism claimed the veneer of scientific legitimacy. This pseudoscience lent to a dangerous credibility to antisemitic policies, enabling their acceptance in both intellectual and political circles.

The defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 marked the end of the Holocaust, but the legacy of racial antisemitism endures. In the postwar period, racial antisemitism influenced other forms of bigotry and continues to resurface in contemporary movements. Neo-Nazi groups perpetuate a belief in racial hierarchies and view Jewish people as enemies of societal order. These ideologies have inspired acts of violence, including the 2018 attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the 2019 shooting at the Poway synagogue in California. Such events underscore the persistent danger posed by racial antisemitism.

Racial antisemitism has also found an expression in the rise of conspiracy theories that echo Nazi propaganda. Such as claims that Jews control global finance or the Jewish people control media. These tropes perpetuate harmful stereotypes and fuel distrust and division. The internet and social media have amplified the spread of these conspiracy theories, making it easier for antisemitic ideas to reach larger audiences.

Efforts to combat racial antisemitism must address both its historical roots and its modern manifestations. Education plays a crucial role in this process. Teaching about the Holocaust and its pseudoscientific nature of racial theories can dispel myths and promote understanding. Initiatives like Holocaust memorials, museums, and educational programs help ensure that the lessons of history are not forgotten.

Listen, we're going to take a quick break and when we return, we're going to share more about the resilience of the Jewish people despite the centuries of persecution, especially since the 19th century with racial antisemitism. We'll be right back.

Chris Katulka: We are having this discussion on antisemitism, especially since antisemitism is on the rise, and one of the greatest ways that you can support Israel and the Jewish people is by educating yourself on the history of antisemitism and Friends of Israel has a fantastic resource for you. Just a few years ago, I wrote a book called Israel Always, which highlights the history of Israel and the Jewish people. One of the areas we tackle in the book is actually the history of antisemitism and the impact antisemitism has had on Israel and the Jewish people, so I really want to encourage you to get this book because as you think about antisemitism, all of it is actually grounded in the way Satan wants to skew the promise that God made to Israel and the Jewish people back in Genesis chapter 12, verses one through three, a foundational verse to understanding the book, Israel Always.

Steve Conover: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chris's book, Israel Always, and I know you will too. You'll gain insight into Israel's past, their current influence in the world. You'll grow in your love for the Holy Land and the promise that has been made to Israel for their future. To learn more or to purchase your copy of Israel Always visit foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Welcome back everyone. We're talking about antisemitism, specifically racial, genetic antisemitism that would lead to the Holocaust. Despite the horrors of racial antisemitism, the resilience of the Jewish people, as we mentioned in the last episode, stands as a testament to their strength. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 provided a homeland where Jewish people could live as a sovereign nation, protected from their existential threats they faced in the diaspora, as they were spread all around the world. Israel’s existence serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that the Jewish people have an enduring spirit.

For believers in Christ, the survival and revival of the Jewish people serve as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness. The covenant between God and the Jewish people, established in the Scriptures, remains unbroken despite the trials that we see all throughout history with the Jewish people. The covenant underscores the importance of standing against antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community in times of need.

Racial antisemitism, fueled by pseudoscience and social Darwinism, marked a dark chapter in human history. Its legacy, embodied most horrifically in the Holocaust, highlights the devastating consequences of dehumanization and hatred. Unlike earlier forms of religious antisemitism, racial antisemitism targeted Jewish people for their immutable identity, leaving no avenue for escape or assimilation.

God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis chapter 12 is a foundation of his redemptive plan, promising that through Abraham's descendants, the Jewish people, all the families of the earth will be blessed. This promise ultimately points to the Messiah Jesus who brought salvation to the world. However, throughout history, Satan has sought to distort this truth by portraying the Jewish people in Israel not as a blessing, but as an obstacle to global redemption. I mentioned already Israeli journalist Haviv Rettig Gur’s definition highlights this distortion, that Israel is an impediment to the world's peace or progress. That's what he believes the definition of antisemitism is. Gur's perspective, though, flips God's covenant on its head, turning his Chosen People from a source of blessing into a target for blame.

Satan's goal is clear: to undermine faith in God's promises by sowing division and fostering hostility toward the Jewish people. Theologically, the narrative challenges God's faithfulness. The Jewish people have played a central role in God's plan from the giving of the scriptures to the coming of the Messiah. Yet Satan persuades many to see them as the cause of global unrest, perpetuating antisemitism and distracting from God's redemptive work. Christians must reject this distortion and affirm the truth of God's covenant. Remember, the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 11 that God's promises to Israel are irrevocable and their role in his plan remain vital. By standing against antisemitism and supporting the Jewish people, we uphold God's truth and resist Satan's lies. Instead of seeing the Jewish people as an obstacle, we recognize them as the channel of God's blessing to the nations. By proclaiming this biblical reality, we honor God's covenant, counter the enemy's attacks and declare the ongoing faithfulness of his redemptive plan through Abraham's descendants and descendant, Jesus the Messiah.

Steve Conover: Israel on the verge of becoming a state, a teenaged Holocaust survivor arrives on her shores alone. His name is Zvi Kalisher. Little did he know his search for a new life in the Holy Land would lead him to the Messiah. Zvi, enthusiastic to share his faith, engaged others in spiritual conversations, many of which can be found in our magazine, Israel My Glory. While Zvi is now in the presence of His Savior, his collected writings from well over 50 years of ministry continue to encourage believers worldwide. Now, Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life of Zvi.

Mike Kellogg: Many Orthodox Jews in my neighborhood, especially older people for whom I make home repairs, usually invite me to their family celebrations such as bar mitzvahs, weddings, and other religious observances. Although they know what I believe, and in spite of our many heated discussions about religion, they never forget me during their times of rejoicing.

A father recently invited me to his son’s bar mitzvah. I attend bar mitzvahs and other religious festivals because they provide good opportunities to witness about the Lord. It is not easy to speak about Him because people do not want to listen, but He gives me courage and opens doors.

Shortly after the ceremony, an old man approached me. He knows me well because I have repaired many things for him, and we have spoken about Christ in his home. He greeted me and asked, “How can a cat come over the sea and not be wet?”

I understood his meaning and replied, “It is possible if God wills it. Such an incident happened when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and came out dry. I too crossed a sea—literally and figuratively—and came out dry when I survived the Holocaust. This was God’s will, so I might meet you and tell you about my faith in Christ. If you like, we can continue the conversation about Him that we began in your home.”

“That would be good,” he said. “I will gather some friends who will be happy to join us.”

He asked, “Do you have a Bible with you?” 

“Yes,” I replied, “I am ready to discuss it with you, but I want you to know I did not come to compete with you, to see who knows more about the Bible. You see, it is not enough to know about the Bible. The important thing is to believe it. You should know who your Savior is.” 

One of the men said, “I suppose you mean your Jesus.” 

I responded, “He is not my Savior only. The Bible says Jesus came from heaven to give Himself for the whole world.” These men became very agitated and angry. But I was happy the true subject of our discussion—Jesus Christ—was out in the open and that I could freely speak about my faith in Him.

Just then another old gentleman came over and asked what we were discussing. When I told him I believe Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, he said, “I am sorry that we—the Chosen People, who are to be examples to the world—are running away from that truth, which is taught in the Law of Moses.” He explained that although he was 84 years old and lacking in physical power, he was mighty in the power of the Lord. 

The other men, who had been so sure of themselves, became as weak as flies. This man spoke at great length about his faith in the Lord, and he greatly inspired me. When he finished, I said, “Be strong and blessed!”

Meeting this dear man was another reminder that the Lord is everywhere. He told me, “I heard your conversation with them, and I received the courage to speak up about my faith in the Lord. I never did that before, and I do not know who gave me such strength.” 

“The Lord gave you strength,” I told him.

I pray the Lord will continue to strengthen this dear saint and encourage many others here in Israel to speak out for Him. Then the prophecy will be fulfilled, “out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3).

Chris Katulka: The impact of Zvi's life and ministry in Israel; it didn't end when he went home to be with the Lord. In fact, Zvi's legacy lives on. Our Friends of Israel ministry representatives continue to share the gospel in Jerusalem, Israel, and really all throughout the world. We also serve Holocaust survivors and their families. We provide free food, medicine and clothing, and we even promote the safety and security of the state of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere. So when you give to the Friends of Israel, your donation actually allows us to advance the gospel of our Messiah Jesus. You can give online by visiting foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. You can click right there on our donate link. Also, be sure to let us know where you listen when you contact us.

Steve Conover: Thank you so much for joining us for today’s episode of The Friends of Israel Today. Chris, where are we headed next week?

Chris Katulka: Well, we're wrapping up our series on antisemitism, and I hope that our listeners have been seeing this shapeshifter move throughout history. We've looked at religious antisemitism. We've looked  at racial, genetic antisemitism. Next week we're looking at the most recent form of antisemitism. That's statehood or national antisemitism. Jewish people are being targeted simply because there is a state of Israel.

Steve Conover: Join us for the final episode of our 3-part series on antisemitism next week. You can follow us at foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. Our mailing address is FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again, that's FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. You can call our listener line. That number is 888-343-6940. Again, that's 888-343-6940. Our host and teacher is Chris Katulka. Today's program was engineered by Bob Beebe. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performs our theme music. Lisa Small is our executive producer. Sarah Fern is our associate producer. And I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. The Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.