This book was published in October 2003, and this review is being written in late June 2005. This is important because even though the fundamental picture of Anti- Semitism in the Islamic world, in Europe, and to a lesser degree, the United States is valid there is an element of Schoenfeld's analysis that has already failed to pass the test of time. When he wrote the work there was a great deal of hope that the US effort in Iraq would effect a fundamental transformation throughout the Middle East, toward Democratization, and with this reduction in Terror, and even reduction in anti- Semitism.
But as it appears now the situation in Iraq is a quagmire. Defense Minister Rumsfeld said a few days ago that the Iraqis would have to win it ' by themselves' indicating that the US might leave fairly soon , and with it leave a big mess. This summer there is also planned the Israeli disengagement from Gaza which is being interpreted by all Palestinian groups, and especially the Terror groups as a victory for violence.
In other words the reduction of anti- Semitism hoped for by Schoenfeld in this book does not seem on the way. In opposite the election of a hardliner President in Iran earlier this week, who referred to Israel as an ' illegimate state' only underlines how strong Anti- Semitism in the form of Anti- Zionism is in the
Islamic world.
And here one warning made by Schoenfeld is extremely timely. He shows how many Jewish leaders, including Louis Marshall believed that the Nazis were just a bluff, and would go away of themselves. It seems to me that anyone who thinks a bit about Jewish history should understand that the fundamentalist terrorists who are threatening destructive action to Israel are not just going to go away. It is extremely alarming that when a month ago the leading Islamic clergyman connected with the Palestinian Authority called for ' the genocide' of all the Jews in the world , no one paid attention. There was no outcry. Israel did not even attempt to intervene.
Schoenfeld outlines a situation of increasing danger for the Jews through the actions of anti- Semitism. Since he wrote the book the dangers have only increased. And here I would point out that the greatest dangers are what might be called ' state- anti- Semitism', and especially the state Anti-Semitism, of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority.
The return and intensification of the one world's oldest ' social diseases' ought to be I want to suggest a source of worry not only for Jews, but for all those who care for human dignity and freedom.
For if the Islamic world succeeds in its goal of destroying the Jewish state this will not simply mean the end of one small democracy in the Middle East. It will be a signal that Terror and Totalitarian violence are on their way to taking over the world.

Gabriel Schoenfeld is a great writer and makes excellent point in The Return of Anti-Semitism.

People think that Anti-Semitism is a discrete form of hate. But the enemies of the Jews end up being enemies of freedom.

Think about it, the biggest enemies of Israel are the biggest enemies of freedom and democracy. You do the math.

this is a brilliant book.