Antisemitism in China
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The situation of antisemitism in the People's Republic of China is complicated by the fact that historically there is no ground for antisemitism in China, and many insist that antisemitism has never existed in China,[1][2][3] but some antisemitic conspiracy theories have begun to spread in recent decades.[4] Some Chinese people believe that Jews secretly rule the world and are business-minded.[5] Hongbing Song, a Chinese American IT consultant and amateur historian, published the Currency Wars series, believing Jewish financiers controlled the international banking systems since the era of Napoleon. Song also says in his book that the key functions of the Federal Reserve were ultimately controlled by five private banks, including Citibank, all of which maintained "close ties" with the Rothschild family, one Jewish group that led to the 1997 financial crisis. The book became a bestseller and even has been read by some high ranking Chinese officials.[4][6][7]
According to the polls made by the Anti-Defamation League in 2014, roughly 20 percent of Chinese people have a negative attitude towards Jews, and the older people are, the more likely they are to have a negative perception of Jews.[5][8] The May 2021 events in Gaza precipitated Chinese state-run media invoking antisemitic tropes and sentiments, encouraged by top Chinese diplomats, and rehashed by well-known Chinese political commentators.[9] In particular, Israel's embassy in Beijing accused China Global Television Network of "blatant antisemitism" when it broadcast an antisemitic trope during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.[10][11][12]
Political blogger Sima Nan's Weibo channel spreading the notion that Jews colluded with the Japanese to establish a Jewish homeland on Chinese territory during the Second Sino-Japanese War.[13] In September 2021, BYD appointed Lu Kewen, an online influencer known for spreading antisemitic tropes, as a spokesperson for the company.[9]
References
- ^ Brekke, Torkel (26 April 2021). "Islamophobia and Antisemitism are Different in Their Potential for Globalization". Journal of Religion and Violence. doi:10.5840/jrv202142689. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Medzini, Meron (1 January 2013). "China, the Holocaust, and the Birth of the Jewish State". Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs. 7 (1): 135–145. doi:10.1080/23739770.2013.11446543. ISSN 2373-9770. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "China: A Land Without Anti-Semitism". Museum of Jewish Heritage. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ a b Ainslie, Mary J. (March 2021). "Chinese Philosemitism and Historical Statecraft: Incorporating Jews and Israel into Contemporary Chinese Civilizationism". The China Quarterly. 245: 208–226. doi:10.1017/S0305741020000302. ISSN 0305-7410. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ a b Davis, Bob (14 May 2014). "Is China Anti-Semitic? One Jew's Reflections". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ McGregor, Richard (25 September 2007). "Chinese buy into conspiracy theory". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ Keating, Joshua. "The World's Most Persistent Conspiracy Theories". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "China". Anti Defamation League. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ a b Gering, Tuvia (February 16, 2022). "Antisemitism With Chinese Characteristics". Tablet. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ "Israel accuses Chinese state TV of 'blatant antisemitism'". Associated Press. May 19, 2021. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ "Israel accuses China state TV of 'blatant anti-Semitism'". France 24. Agence France-Presse. May 19, 2021. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ "Israeli embassy in China blasts state TV broadcaster for 'blatant anti-Semitism'". Times of Israel. May 21, 2021. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "This American rabbi is fighting antisemitism in China with online videos". 5 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.