Anti-Semitism as Propaganda Tool in Romania During the Interwar Period and Nowadays

Abstract

This article explores the evolution of anti-Semitism in Romania by comparing its interwar manifestation with its contemporary forms, marking both similarities and differences. During 1920s and 1930s, the Legionary Movement promoted a powerful nationalist and fascist ideology based on the conception that Jews were an existential threat to the Romanian nation, present in public discourse since mid-19th century. The study shows how the same narratives and symbols continue to influence the rhetoric today to some extent, even though the Jewish population living in Romania decreased dramatically. Using comparative historical analysis and drawing analogies, the article explains how anti-Semitism was once spread mainly through political parties, student organizations, and mass ceremonies, while nowadays it circulates mostly through populist rhetoric, social media, radio broadcasts and sometimes through football fan groups (UltraS), and acts of vandalism. Historical analogies not only influence collective memory and identity but also legitimize present-day anti-Semitism. The paper also analyses how extremist leaders manipulate old stereotypes such as the idea of Jews as “foreign exploiters” or “global elites” to match current political discourses. The study highlights both continuity and change: while the channels of communication have shifted from newspapers and rallies to online platforms and digital radio, the core message remains rooted in Legionary propaganda.