By: Fern Sidman

The assassination of American activist and media personality Charlie Kirk last week was not only a devastating act of violence but also a disturbing reminder of how swiftly antisemitism festers in times of tragedy. Within hours of the killing, antisemitic influencers on social media seized the moment to propagate baseless conspiracy theories accusing Israel of orchestrating the attack.

According to the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM), this immediate scapegoating reflects a centuries-old pattern: in moments of calamity, Jews are often falsely cast as culprits. From medieval accusations during the Black Death to modern conspiracy theories around global finance, antisemitism has repeatedly adapted to exploit contemporary fears. The exploitation of Kirk’s murder, CAM warns, is the latest manifestation of this millennia-old hatred.

CAM has long emphasized that antisemitic conspiracy theories thrive on uncertainty and shock. In the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s death, unverified claims spread rapidly online, falsely linking Israel or Jewish organizations to the killing. CAM analysts noted that these narratives followed familiar patterns: references to alleged Jewish “control” of politics, accusations of covert Israeli intelligence operations, and recycled myths about Jewish responsibility for past tragedies.

“The exploitation of Charlie Kirk’s assassination for antisemitic propaganda is not only cruel but profoundly dangerous,” CAM stated in its latest briefing. “It dishonors the victim and fuels a culture of suspicion and hate that puts Jewish communities worldwide at risk.”

The situation in Spain has become a focal point for concern. The Antisemitism Research Center (ARC), operated by CAM, documented 18 antisemitic incidents in Spain over the past two weeks—a staggering 260 percent increase compared to the two weeks prior.

This rise has coincided with heightened hostility toward Israel from the Spanish government itself. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez provoked outrage after reportedly suggesting that “nuclear bombs” would be necessary for Spain to “stop the Israeli offensive” in Gaza. CAM condemned this rhetoric as not only irresponsible but also as a catalyst for further antisemitic activity.

“Political leaders carry a responsibility to understand the impact of their words,” CAM said. “When government officials adopt incendiary language against Israel, it often trickles down into open hostility toward Jewish communities at home.”

The surge in antisemitic incidents across Spain, CAM noted, includes graffiti targeting Jewish institutions, online incitement, and harassment of Jewish students on university campuses.

CAM’s monitoring shows that antisemitism is far from confined to Spain. Recent incidents highlight a troubling global escalation:

Canada: In Halifax, vandals defaced two synagogues and a Jewish community center, scrawling Nazi swastikas alongside the words “Jews did 9/11.” CAM pointed out that this attack merges Holocaust-era symbols with 21st-century conspiracy theories, illustrating the adaptability of antisemitic hate.

England: London police arrested a 37-year-old man linked to a string of antisemitic assaults targeting synagogues, schools, and Jewish homes in northwest London. CAM has urged British authorities to take stronger measures to protect Jewish neighborhoods, noting that repeat offenders often exploit lenient sentences to continue spreading hate.

Greece: In central Athens, a group of Palestinian men attacked two Israeli tourists in Syntagma Square. CAM condemned the assault as a blatant act of antisemitic violence that demonstrates the spillover effects of Middle Eastern conflict into European streets.

“These are not isolated incidents,” CAM warned. “They reflect a transnational escalation of antisemitism fueled by extremist rhetoric, disinformation, and geopolitical tensions.”

Antisemitism on the Rise Globally

The broader picture is equally grim. According to data released by the ARC this week, antisemitic incidents worldwide rose by 15.7 percent in August 2025 compared to August 2024. This year-on-year spike, CAM emphasized, is part of a sustained upward trend rather than a temporary surge.

Several factors explain the rise. CAM identifies three principal drivers:

Conflict in the Middle East: Renewed violence in Gaza and Israel has consistently correlated with increases in antisemitic incidents worldwide. Anti-Israel activism often blurs into outright antisemitism, targeting Jewish communities far removed from the conflict.

Political Rhetoric: Statements like those of Spain’s prime minister illustrate how political hostility toward Israel emboldens antisemitic rhetoric, providing extremists with legitimization.

Digital Propagation: Online platforms amplify antisemitic content at unprecedented speed. Conspiracy theories following Kirk’s assassination demonstrate how rapidly narratives can spread without evidence, embedding themselves in extremist discourse.

“These drivers interact in dangerous ways,” CAM explained. “Geopolitical crises provide the spark, political rhetoric supplies oxygen, and digital platforms act as accelerants.”

The rising tide of antisemitism carries costs beyond the Jewish community. CAM stresses that societies tolerating antisemitism often witness broader erosion of democratic norms. When conspiracy theories gain traction, public trust in institutions declines, social cohesion frays, and extremist movements find fertile ground.

“Antisemitism is not only a Jewish problem—it is a societal problem,” CAM argued. “History shows that the health of a democracy is measured in how it treats its minorities, and antisemitism has long been the canary in the coal mine of declining civic life.”

This week, Jewish communities worldwide prepare to welcome Rosh Hashanah 5786, the Jewish New Year. For a people long accustomed to marking holidays under duress, the timing could not be more poignant.

In its seasonal message, the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement called on Jews and allies alike to view the new year as a moment for resilience and unity. “Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, we wish the Jewish people and their allies worldwide a new year of resilience, renewal, and peace. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah,” CAM declared.

The message draw attention to an enduring theme: while antisemitism rises, so too does Jewish resolve. CAM’s leaders emphasize that the appropriate response to hatred is not retreat but solidarity, not despair but determination.

As the new year begins, CAM insists that confronting antisemitism requires more than words of sympathy. Governments must act decisively, holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that political leaders’ rhetoric does not normalize hate. Educational institutions must recognize and counter antisemitism in curricula and campus life. Technology companies must better police the spread of conspiracy theories and antisemitic tropes online.

“Antisemitism thrives in silence,” CAM stated bluntly. “It is only through active, public confrontation that we can delegitimize the purveyors of hate and protect the values of pluralism and tolerance that underpin democratic societies.”

Charlie Kirk’s assassination was a tragedy, but the exploitation of his death for antisemitic conspiracy theories is a tragedy of another kind—one that poisons public discourse and endangers vulnerable communities. The surge in incidents documented by CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center, from Spain to Canada to Greece, testifies to a global crisis that demands urgent attention.

As antisemitism rises, the task ahead is clear: expose the lies, confront the perpetrators, and reaffirm the dignity of Jewish life worldwide. For CAM, the stakes could not be higher. “The fight against antisemitism is the fight for the moral health of society itself,” the organization has warned.

In this season of Rosh Hashanah, as Jews around the world gather in prayer and reflection, CAM’s message resonates with renewed urgency: resilience, renewal, and peace are not abstract ideals—they are necessities in a time when hatred again seeks a foothold.