The Dehumanization of Jewish Collectives
- Jonatan Shaya
- Jul 11
- 8 min read
The dehumanization of Jewish collectives, the denial of their human qualities as individuals or groups, depicting them as less than human or, at times, attributing them with inhumanly vast power and influence, has been a central component of antisemitism throughout history. It has enabled the justification of discrimination, persecution, and violence. This essay examines the historical development of the dehumanization of Jewish collectives, its psychological mechanisms, and its unique manifestations within antisemitism.
The Historical Development of the Dehumanization of Jewish Collectives
The dehumanization of Jewish collectives has persisted for millennia across various societal and cultural contexts. In ancient and medieval societies, Jews were depicted as outsiders, with their existence seen as a threat. They were cast as symbols of sin, deceit, and danger, laying the groundwork for systematic persecution and discrimination that continued for centuries.
This dehumanization was not merely random hostility or propaganda but became embedded in entire ideological systems. Accusations such as ritual murder or conspiracies to control society were not isolated myths but enduring frameworks institutionalized in laws, governance structures, and political doctrines. Through these delusions, the segregation, economic exploitation, and physical destruction of Jews were justified.
With the advent of the modern era, the dehumanization of Jewish collectives reached an industrial scale, supported by pseudoscientific theories that advocated for their complete exclusion from society. Racist biology and social Darwinist perspectives labeled Jews as inferior and harmful, paving the way for systematic genocide. Nazi Germany took this process to its extreme, transforming dehumanization into a concrete political program where the fate of Jews was no longer determined by individuals but by a system designed for their annihilation.
Psychological Mechanisms and Societal Impact
The dehumanization of Jewish collectives is not merely an abstract idea but a deeply rooted societal process manifesting in various forms throughout history. Unlike many other forms of dehumanization, which often portray the target as weak or inferior, antisemitism uniquely depicts Jewish collectives as simultaneously weak and dangerous, as both victims and masterminds of conspiracies. This contradictory double narrative allows antisemitic themes to adapt to different cultural and political contexts, making them exceptionally persistent and adaptable.
The primary psychological forms of dehumanization are animalistic and mechanistic dehumanization. In its animalistic form, Jewish collectives are portrayed as irrational, impulsive, and biologically inferior, as seen particularly in Nazi propaganda, which depicted Jews as “vermin” and societal threats. Mechanistic dehumanization, by contrast, depicts Jewish collectives as cold, calculating, and emotionally detached power brokers—common in narratives portraying Jews as controllers of media, finance, or hidden conspiracies.
Psychological phenomena explain why antisemitic prejudices can persist despite fact-based information. One such mechanism is known as “fence-building,” where contradictory evidence, such as portrayals of the humanity of Jewish collectives, is mentally excluded to preserve existing stereotypes. This mechanism helps maintain a simplistic, black-and-white worldview where antisemitic beliefs remain unchallenged.
This is further complicated by a phenomenon described by reactance theory: attempts to correct distorted perceptions and highlight the humanity of Jewish collectives can trigger the opposite reaction - resistance and suspicion. Instead of weakening, stereotypes may become even stronger. It is common for individuals who challenge antisemitic narratives or defend Jews and Jewish collectives to be labeled as part of the enemy or as untrustworthy actors themselves. This makes dismantling antisemitic narratives particularly difficult and highlights how the dehumanization of Jewish collectives differs from many other forms of dehumanization.
Ideological and Propagandistic Mechanisms
The dehumanization of Jewish collectives is sustained not only by psychological mechanisms but also by ideological and propagandistic ones. These mechanisms do not arise by accident but are deliberate tools for constructing an enemy image that serves political and societal goals. Historically, antisemitism has been used as an ideological tool to justify power structures, conflicts, and discriminatory policies. It offers a simplistic explanation for complex phenomena such as economic crises, societal changes, or personal uncertainty.
Propaganda shapes perceptions by repeating narrow, emotionally charged narratives portraying Jewish collectives as threats, conspirators, or immoral actors. Through this, dehumanization becomes part of everyday language and cultural imagery, from textbooks to films and political speeches. Visual and symbolic storytelling has played a significant role; for example, Nazi propaganda literally depicted Jews as non-human, using animalistic or mechanistic metaphors such as “vermin,” “spiders,” or “parasites.”
This ideological messaging does not merely create negative perceptions but reinforces a collective “us versus them” dynamic. Depicting Jewish collectives as faceless, threatening, and inhuman becomes a tool to justify social segregation and discrimination. It also prevents the development of empathy, as people do not relate to those they do not see as human.
Social and Political Context
The dehumanization of Jewish collectives does not occur in a vacuum; it is always tied to specific social and political contexts. Historically, antisemitism has intensified particularly during periods of upheaval, times of societal uncertainty, economic crises, or political change, which fuel the need to find a scapegoat. Jewish collectives, as a visible minority, have often been cast as the ideal scapegoat, presented as an external threat to national unity or societal peace.
Political actors and ideologies have, in various eras, used antisemitism as a tool to advance their goals. In early 20th-century Europe, for example, antisemitism became entwined with nationalist, authoritarian, and far-right movements, where Jew-hatred served as a unifying and mobilizing force. Similarly, in communist regimes, antisemitism was often disguised as “anti-Zionism,” yet Jewish collectives were portrayed as untrustworthy and powerful actors.
Social media and modern communication environments have also transformed how antisemitism spreads and becomes normalized. Dehumanizing language, memes, and conspiracy theories about Jewish collectives can spread rapidly and widely, reaching audiences who might not otherwise encounter traditional hate speech. Particularly concerning is the prevalence of such dehumanization cloaked in humor, satire, or “just asking questions”, methods that make hostile messaging more socially acceptable and harder to identify.
In this context, antisemitic dehumanization is not merely a historical or psychological phenomenon but an active force shaping societal reality. It constructs norms, influences interactions, and affects who is seen as part of “us” and who is othered, seen as less than human.
The Dehumanization of Jewish Collectives Today
While the extreme forms of dehumanization seen during the Holocaust belong to the past, the phenomenon continues today in new, subtler yet still harmful forms. Jewish collectives continue to be depicted in media, political discourse, and social media in ways that reinforce old stereotypes and myths. The digital age has accelerated the spread of these portrayals, with the internet and social media transforming antisemitic conspiracy theories into globally circulating cultural products.
Today, the dehumanization of Jewish collectives rarely appears as overt hate speech. Instead, it often hides within complex narratives that frame Jewish collectives as powerful networks, untrustworthy power brokers, or culturally “alien.” This frequently appears under the guise of critique aimed at Jewish collectives, while the underlying content is rooted in old antisemitic frameworks. For example, claims of conspiracies, narratives about Jewish collectives being overrepresented in certain societal sectors, or the notion that Jewish collectives are part of a hidden power structure that must be exposed or resisted continue the tradition of dehumanization, even when presented in a seemingly neutral manner.
Social media algorithms favor polarization and conflict, enabling antisemitic conspiracy theories to spread efficiently. The normalization of dehumanization is further fueled by the dismissal, rationalization, or ignoring of hate speech directed at Jews. This creates an atmosphere in which Jewish communities feel unsafe and excluded, experiences that echo dangerous historical patterns.
It is particularly concerning that even anti-racist or human rights movements can perpetuate antisemitic ideas when they fail to recognize the unique minority status of Jews or lump them together with perceived power structures. This demonstrates how deeply antisemitic mechanisms of dehumanization can run, even in spaces where they are neither recognized nor intended.
Humanization Triggers Resistance
The humanization of Jewish collectives often triggers strong resistance in communities where antisemitism is openly present or embedded in underlying attitudes. When Jewish collectives are portrayed as human, individuals with history, emotions, and agency, it can provoke rejection in societies where antisemitism thrives, whether overtly or covertly. This is not merely a matter of ignorance but reflects a deeply rooted need to preserve antisemitic narratives and prevent their questioning.
This phenomenon is not limited to any specific political or cultural context; it occurs across various ideological environments. Individuals who defend Jewish collectives may face discrimination, silencing, or pressure, whether in historically antisemitic extremist circles or in seemingly neutral or progressive spaces. This shows that antisemitism is not tied to a single political group but adapts to the demands of different eras and ideological environments.
Ways to Counter the Dehumanization of Jewish Collectives
The dehumanization of Jewish collectives is not a relic of the past; it continues to live on, adapting with history, culture, and society. It is not limited to words or images but has real-world consequences: it enables violence, discrimination, and the construction of political systems that portray Jewish collectives as partially or wholly outside the bounds of humanity. This stripping away of humanity is the essence of dehumanization, making it particularly dangerous.
When Jewish collectives are portrayed as either inferior or as masterminds of conspiracies, or both simultaneously, their experiences and rights are continuously questioned. This prevents empathetic connection and sustains stereotypes that can lead to the justification of violence. History’s lesson is clear: the dehumanization of Jewish collectives is a gateway to psychological and physical violence.
That is why we must remain vigilant. Combating dehumanization requires not only opposing antisemitic speech and actions but also recognizing the subtle, often hidden mechanisms through which humanity is denied. We need cultural, educational, and political work that restores humanity to those from whom it has been stripped and challenges us to examine how we perceive others.
We must learn to see people as people. To listen without prejudice, to see individuals beyond collective myths. Only in this way can we build a society where humanity is not conditional and where no one’s human dignity is negotiable.
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