127: Does Islam hate Jews? With Prof. Meir Litvak

The history of antisemitism within Islam stems from a complex interplay of early theological tensions and modern political crises. Initially, the Prophet Muhammad’s conflict with Jewish tribes in Medina established a precedent of alienation, though the subsequent Dhimmi system provided a framework of protected, albeit unequal, coexistence for centuries. The 19th century marked a critical shift as European influence introduced modern antisemitic tropes, which gained virulence following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. In this context, conspiracy theories—most notably the *Protocols of the Elders of Zion*—became foundational to modern Islamist movements, which increasingly frame the struggle against Israel as a cosmic battle against a sinister Jewish force. Professor Meir Litvak emphasizes that this ideology, now deeply entrenched in regimes like Iran, poses a significant global challenge that requires addressing internal socio-economic failures rather than scapegoating.