Introduction

On June 25, 2026, the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a hearing on rising antisemitism. Testimony highlighted how blending religious and political identities can enable hostility toward Jews, especially when anti‑Zionist rhetoric is used as a cover.

Expert Testimony Highlights

Rafaela Dancygier, a professor at Princeton University, explained that framing anti‑Jewish hate in anti‑Israel terms “makes a meaningful share of the public unwilling to condemn it.” She noted that the term “Zionist” often substitutes for “Jew” in classic conspiratorial tropes.

Daniel Nussbaum, a researcher at Brandeis University, added that antisemitic incidents spike during periods of conflict in Israel and fall when ceasefires hold. He cited New Jersey’s record of 687 incidents in the past year, up from 409 in 2022, illustrating the direct correlation.

The panel also referenced the 2020 Pew Research study, which found eight in ten American Jews consider attachment to Israel an essential part of their identity, independent of any specific Israeli government policy.

Implications and Path Forward

Witnesses warned that anti‑Zionist language can mask antisemitic intent, allowing prejudice to spread under the guise of political critique. They urged policymakers to recognize this conflation and protect civil‑rights safeguards that distinguish criticism of a nation‑state from hatred toward a religious group.

The hearing is the second of three scheduled sessions, with a final report expected in July 2027. Experts called for clearer public discourse and stronger educational efforts to separate religious identity from political ideology, thereby reducing the misuse of anti‑Zionist arguments as a tool for antisemitic hostility.

Conclusion

Understanding the overlap between Judaism and Zionism is crucial to combating antisemitism. By drawing a clear line between faith and politics, communities and officials can better protect Jewish citizens and uphold the principles of equality and justice.