Throughout history, the Jewish people have been recurrently cast in the role of societal scapegoats, from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ over two millennia ago to accusations of global conspiracies in more modern times. The 2024 decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes has prompted some to view this action as a metaphorical culmination of centuries of anti-Jewish narratives. These narratives, rooted in religious, political, and social prejudices, seem to have been reimagined in the geopolitical theater, where Israel—the modern manifestation of the Jewish collective—is being symbolically crucified once more.
Historical Roots: The Scapegoating of the Jewish People
The Crucifixion Narrative
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Christian theology has historically been used to vilify the Jewish people. For centuries, the accusation of deicide—the killing of God—was weaponized to justify antisemitic policies, from expulsions and pogroms to forced conversions and systemic discrimination. This narrative cemented a stereotype of Jews as uniquely culpable, conspiratorial, and morally corrupt—a trope that has persisted in various forms across cultures and eras.
While much of the Christian world has since distanced itself from these overt accusations, the underlying archetype of blaming the Jews for societal ills endures. The ICC’s decision, viewed metaphorically, positions Israel as the modern-day inheritor of this historical burden. In the eyes of its detractors, Israel is not merely a state defending itself but a stand-in for the collective guilt assigned to the Jewish people throughout history.
The Political Translation of Ancient Prejudices
The narrative of Jewish culpability did not disappear with the Enlightenment or the rise of secular governance. Instead, it evolved. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a fabricated text alleging a Jewish plan for world domination, became a cornerstone of modern antisemitism. Today, similar rhetoric manifests in accusations against Israel, framing it as a nefarious actor on the global stage. In this context, the ICC decision can be seen as the latest chapter in a long history of holding Jews—or their collective representation in Israel—uniquely accountable for complex and multifaceted conflicts.
The ICC Decision: A Modern Crucifixion?
Framing Israel as Uniquely Culpable
The ICC’s charges against Netanyahu and Gallant, centered on alleged war crimes in Gaza, raise questions of proportionality and focus. While accountability for all parties in a conflict is a cornerstone of international justice, the ICC’s singular focus on Israeli leaders, despite documented war crimes by Hamas, suggests a selective application of justice. This aligns with historical patterns of scapegoating the Jews, where context is stripped away, and blame is disproportionately assigned.
Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by numerous nations, has employed tactics that violate international law, such as using civilians as human shields, targeting Israeli civilians, and embedding military operations within schools and hospitals. Yet, the ICC’s decision largely omits this context, placing the burden of guilt squarely on Israel. This mirrors the historical narrative of Jewish collective responsibility, where the actions of others are disregarded, and blame is singularly ascribed to the Jewish community.
The Symbolism of Israel in the Modern World
For its detractors, Israel represents more than a state; it is a symbol of Jewish resilience, sovereignty, and self-determination. The ICC decision, therefore, is not just an indictment of specific leaders but a broader attempt to delegitimize Israel’s very existence and its right to defend itself. This aligns with antisemitic tropes identified in the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, such as denying Jews the right to self-determination by framing the existence of Israel as a fundamentally racist endeavor.
Forces Aligned Against Israel: A Coordinated Campaign
The Political Dimension
The ICC’s actions are not occurring in a vacuum. They are part of a broader geopolitical campaign involving states and organizations that have long sought to undermine Israel. Countries such as Iran, which openly calls for the destruction of Israel, have leveraged international institutions to delegitimize the Jewish state. By framing Israel as a violator of international law, these actors aim to isolate it diplomatically, weaken its alliances, and erode its legitimacy.
The ICC decision provides these adversaries with a powerful narrative tool, allowing them to cast Israel as a pariah state. This is not unlike the medieval scapegoating of Jews, where accusations served to justify violence, dispossession, and exclusion. The difference today is that the battleground has shifted from religious courts to international legal institutions.
The Role of Media and NGOs
The media and certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in shaping public perceptions of Israel. Sensationalist coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict often reduces complex realities to simplistic narratives, where Israel is cast as the aggressor and Palestinians as victims. This binary framing ignores the asymmetric nature of the conflict and the provocations Israel faces, such as rocket attacks and terrorist infiltrations.
Some NGOs, while ostensibly focused on human rights, have been accused of disproportionately targeting Israel. Reports that omit Hamas’s violations or downplay its role in the conflict contribute to a skewed narrative. The ICC decision, informed by such narratives, reinforces the perception of Israel as uniquely culpable, echoing historical patterns of antisemitic scapegoating.
The Broader Implications: Justice, Geopolitics, and Antisemitism
Erosion of International Law
By selectively focusing on Israel, the ICC risks undermining its credibility and the principle of equal accountability under international law. This selective application creates a precedent where justice is not impartial but influenced by political agendas. For the Jewish community, this is reminiscent of historical instances where laws were weaponized against them, serving the interests of those in power rather than upholding universal principles.
Impact on Jewish Communities Worldwide
The ICC decision, and the narratives surrounding it, have repercussions beyond Israel. Antisemitism often rises during periods of heightened criticism of Israel, as the lines between anti-Zionism and antisemitism blur. Jewish communities worldwide may face increased hostility, echoing the historical consequences of scapegoating narratives.
The Geopolitical Context
The ICC’s actions must also be viewed within the broader context of global power dynamics. For many of Israel’s adversaries, the goal is not justice but the erosion of Israel’s sovereignty and its relationships with key allies, particularly the United States and European democracies. The ICC decision serves this agenda by isolating Israel and framing its actions as illegitimate on the global stage.
Reclaiming the Narrative: Lessons from History
The Need for Contextual Accountability
To counteract the parallels between the ICC decision and historical scapegoating, it is essential to advocate for balanced and contextual accountability. This means holding all parties in the Israel-Palestine conflict accountable for their actions, including Hamas and other actors who violate international law. By doing so, international institutions can avoid perpetuating the perception that Israel—and by extension, the Jewish people—are uniquely culpable.
Recognizing and Combating Modern Antisemitism
The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism provides a vital framework for understanding how anti-Israel narratives can cross into antisemitism. Applying this framework to the ICC decision and related rhetoric is crucial for identifying and challenging biases that disproportionately target Israel.
Strengthening Jewish Sovereignty
The ICC decision underscores the importance of Israel as a safe haven for the Jewish people. In a world where antisemitic narratives persist, Israel’s existence and sovereignty are vital for ensuring the Jewish community’s survival and self-determination.
History Repeating, Justice Denied
The ICC’s 2024 decision against Israeli leaders, when viewed through the lens of history, represents more than a legal judgment—it is a symbolic reenactment of centuries-old narratives that have cast the Jewish people as scapegoats. By disproportionately targeting Israel while ignoring the complexities of the conflict and the violations committed by its adversaries, the ICC risks perpetuating the very biases it seeks to combat.
This modern crucifixion of Israel, carried out in the court of international opinion, reflects a broader campaign to delegitimize the Jewish state, politically, religiously, and civilly. Yet, history also offers lessons in resilience. Just as the Jewish people have endured and thrived despite centuries of persecution, Israel remains a testament to their enduring strength and determination. The challenge now lies in reclaiming the narrative, advocating for true justice, and ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated in the guise of modern legal and political frameworks.
