Israel should put antisemites on trial — wherever they are

The article proposes that Israel establish a special court with universal jurisdiction to prosecute antisemites globally, similar to the Nazis and Nazi Collaborators (Punishment) Law. This court would allow Israel, home to 40% of the world's Jewish population, to address antisemitism through legal means, offering due process to defendants. The author cites the 1979 Mayhew v. Maariv libel case as a precedent, where an Israeli court ruled that "extreme anti-Zionism rooted in false stereotypes and fabricated conspiracies may constitute antisemitism." The article argues that existing organizations have largely failed to eradicate antisemitism, which has reached "monstrous levels" comparable to those before World War II. It also explores the psychological and sociological dimensions of antisemitism, referencing René Girard's scapegoating theory and Jean-Paul Sartre's analysis of the antisemite's identity. The author notes that many Israelis only fully grasp antisemitism after experiencing it abroad, particularly since the October 7, 2023 attacks, which were followed by immediate anti-Israel protests globally, highlighting deep-rooted hatred.