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Zbyněk Tarant

University of West Bohemia, Department of Near Eastern Studies, Faculty Member

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M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies (2009, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen), Ph.D. in Ethnology (2012, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen). Currently an "assistant professor" at the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, University of West Bohemia with focus on Hebrew, Israel Studies, Holocaust Studies and Antisemitism.

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Charles University, Prague

Charles University, Prague

University of Oxford

Charles University, Prague

Jonáš Suchánek

Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

University of West Bohemia

Masaryk University

Charles University, Prague

Vladimír Naxera

University of West Bohemia

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Papers by Zbyněk Tarant

“Let Us Stop the Crazy Deal”: Environmentalism and the Green Deal in the Discourse of the Czech Populist Right-Wing and Far-Right Parties.

Contested Climate Justice – Challenged Democracy: International Perspectives, 2024

The chapter analyzes how right-wing populist (SPD, Trikolora) and far-right milieus (neo-Nazis, n... more The chapter analyzes how right-wing populist (SPD, Trikolora) and far-right milieus (neo-Nazis, neo-Fascists) discuss the environment, global climate change, sustainability, and the Green Deal. Primary sources, namely online content produced by the movements themselves are used to uncover the difference between localist environmentalism at the national level and the refusal to acknowledge the global, transnational threats to sustainable living. This will be documented by an- alyzing their reactions to global climate change policies and the Green New Deal. The chapter also touches on the conspiracy narratives within the far-right in response to international sustainability initiatives, like the Green New Deal.

The Last Chapter? Leo Herrmann and the Czech Transfer (1938–1939)

Shmuel Hugo Bergmann: A Life between Prague and Jerusalem, 2024

This chapter analyzes the attempts to rescue 2,500 Czech Jews by means of a ha‘avara scheme, whic... more This chapter analyzes the attempts to rescue 2,500 Czech Jews by means of a ha‘avara scheme, which was negotiated by Bar Kochba alumnus, Leo Herrmann. Born in Lanškroun in 1888, Herrmann was truly a renaissance personality – lawyer, Zionist activist, journalist, editor in-chief, film producer and longtime secretary general of the Keren Ha-Yesod. Using his unique skills in fundraising and crisis management as well as his excellent contacts within the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, Herrmann designed a scheme that allowed the rescue of thousands of Czechoslovak Jews, including notable Zionists such as Max Brod, Felix Weltsch or David Paul Meretz, often in the last possible moments. The following chapter describes the rescue effort in closer detail, using primary and secondary sources in Czech, German and Hebrew.

Bericht über negative soziale Phänomene in der tschechischen Gesellschaft im Kontext der Flüchtlingskrise

Křížek, Daniel – Doevenspeck, Martin. Migrace a integrace v bavorsko-českém kontextu / Migration und Integration im bayerisch-tschechischen Kontext: University of West Bohemia in Pilsen 2021, 2021

Report on negative social phenomena in Czech society in the context of the refugee crisis Anotace... more Report on negative social phenomena in Czech society in the context of the refugee crisis
Anotace anglicky The chapter deals with the analysis of negative social phenomena in the context of the migration/refugee crisis. In addition to the structure and main trends of migration to the Czech Republic, it also analyses the attitudes of the main parliamentary parties towards migration and integration, the reactions of the extremist scene and statistics on hate speeches. All this using a wide range of open sources, its own analysis of party political programmes, as well as monitoring of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the Czech online environment.

Das Kapitel befasst sich mit der Analyse negativer sozialer Phänomene im Zusammenhang mit der Migrations-/Flüchtlingskrise. Neben der Struktur und den wichtigsten Trends der Migration in die Tschechische Republik werden auch die Einstellungen der wichtigsten parlamentarischen Parteien zu Migration und Integration, die Reaktionen der extremistischen Szene und Statistiken zu Hassreden analysiert. All dies unter Verwendung einer breiten Palette offener Quellen, einer eigenen Analyse der politischen Programme der Parteien sowie der Beobachtung von Antisemitismus und Islamophobie im tschechischen Online-Umfeld.

Landskron, London, Jerusalem – The Life and Work of Leo Herrmann [IN CZECH]

Slovo z Jeruzaléma, 2023

This is a printed version of my popular article about the personality of Keren HaYesod general se... more

Analysis of Antisemitic Trends in Czech Websites between 1999 and 2022. : Ideological Background, Geolocation, Transparency, and Attitudes on the Russian-Ukrainian War [ENGLISH, OpenAccess]

Apparatus. Film, Media and Digital Cultures of Central and Eastern Europe, 2023

This article provides an original and up-to-date overview of the main trends in Czech online anti... more This article provides an original and up-to-date overview of the main trends in Czech online antisemitism by analysing aggregated data from multiple surveys made by the author, which cover two decades spanning from the pioneering era of the Czech internet in the late 1990s to 2022. The study has noted some profound changes in the main sources of contemporary Czech antisemitism – from various flavours of the far-right in the mid-2000s to conspiracy narratives without a clear Left-Right distinction since the mid-2010s. This new generation of antisemitic websites was found to have a longer lifespan and significantly larger audiences while operating with a higher degree of self-confidence from all regions of the country. A strongly pro-Kremlin inclination was found to be a significant feature of almost all antisemitic websites in the country to the extent that they were directly impacted by the February 2022 government crackdown against “pro-Kremlin disinformation platforms”. The aftermath of this crackdown is discussed in the final chapter.

Leo Herrmann z Lanškrouna jako „manažer sionismu“ a zachránce československých Židů [Leo Herrmann - the Landskron-born Zionist manager and rescuer of Czechoslovak Jews - IN CZECH]

Nová orientace, 2023

Popular, non-peer-reviewed article in Czech about the life and work of the Keren HaYesod secretar... more Popular, non-peer-reviewed article in Czech about the life and work of the Keren HaYesod secretary general Leo Herrmann.. The article focuses on his WWII rescue efforts for Czechoslovak Jews, which saved up to 4500 people, including some of the notable historical figures, such as Max Brod or Felix Weltsch. Full academic version of this article in English with complete references is currently under peer-review.

The Influence of the Health Belief Model on the Decision to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine: An International Survey Study of College Students

by Corinne Berger and Zbyněk Tarant

INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 2023

To better prepare for a potential future pandemic, it is important to investigate factors that in... more To better prepare for a potential future pandemic, it is important to investigate factors that influenced responses to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that influenced the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone throughout the world. Vaccines are a significant factor in managing a pandemic. As vaccines are developed, governments develop vaccine roll-out plans. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancies can slow the implementation of any vaccine program. A question arises as to the factors that are associated with the decision to get vaccinated. The present study explored associations between vaccine hesitancy, and the Health Belief Model (HBM) in student samples from the Czech Republic, Israel, and the United States. From August, 2021 through December, 2021, an online survey was distributed in Czech, Hebrew, and English. A total of 447 participants completed the survey. A binomial logistic regression was conducted to ascertain the influence of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers on the likelihood that participants are vaccinated. Results revealed that the factors of perceived severity and perceived benefits explained 52.6% (Nagelkerke R 2) of the variance in vaccination. An analysis of Variance (ANOVA) found significant differences between countries for the 4 HBM factors. Based on these findings, it is recommended that policymakers put forth added emphasis on the severity of a virus and the benefits associated with the vaccine. Further, since there appears to be variability between countries in perceptions of the virus, and associated vaccine, governments should consider factors within their own environment when developing a strategy to combat a pandemic. More specifically, government could explore their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they develop a pandemic strategy. Additional practical and theoretical implications are discussed. Keywords COVID-19, health belief model, vaccine hesitancy, pandemic What do we already know about this topic? The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone throughout the world. Vaccine hesitancy has been a challenge for healthcare systems and policymakers who work to mitigate the challenges of a pandemic. The global aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an environment to better understand the factors that influence the decision to get vaccinated. How does your research contribute to the field? The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that influenced the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine. An analysis of a sample of college students from the Czech Republic, Israel, and the United States revealed similarities in perceptions of the severity of the virus, as well as the perceived benefits in relation to the decision to get vaccinated. In addition, results provide evidence as to the differences in the levels of perceptions relative to getting vaccinated. What are your research's implications toward theory, practice, or policy? Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant global challenge. The present study provides evidence that policy makers should further promote the benefits of a vaccine and emphasize potential severity of the virus. In addition to highlighting the death rate of a virus, it may be prudent to highlight the severe and potentially long-term symptoms of a virus. Finally, the present study provides evidence of country-specific varying perceptions of susceptibly, severity, benefits, and barriers associated with a virus and vaccine. Rather than a global model for dealing with a virus, governments should consider their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in creating an effective model to mitigate the virus.

Diaspora paměti – kapitola 10 – "Děti, co nepronáší proslovy" ["Diaspora of Memory", Chapter 10 – "Kids That Don't Make Speeches" - IN CZECH]

Diaspora paměti, 2012

This is a chapter from my published social anthropology PhD. thesis on Holocaust memory in Israel... more This is a chapter from my published social anthropology PhD. thesis on Holocaust memory in Israel and the United States, titled "Diaspora of Memory". This chapter reflects on some of the contemporary debates concerning Root journeys as well as debate on abuses of Holocaust memory. March of the Living is reflected from a participant observation as well as from debates among Israeli educators. Written as a direct polemic with "Holocaust industry", it also contextualizes the Finkelstein's controversial work. Please note that the book is almost twelve years old. A lot of additional scholarship was published since then that was not available at the time of its writing.

Is Brown the New Green? The Environmental Discourse of the Czech Far Right.

The Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse and Communication, edited by Bernhard Forchtner, 2020

Book chapter dealing with attitudes of Czech far-right movements to issues of environmentalism. T... more

From Donetsk to Tel Aviv – Czech Antisemitic Movements Respond to the Russian–Ukrainian War

Rosenfeld, A.H. (Ed.): Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism: The Dynamics of Delegitimization, Studies in Antisemitism, 2019

I wrote this book chapter about five to six years ago to reflect on the far-right responses to th... more I wrote this book chapter about five to six years ago to reflect on the far-right responses to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The second invasion of Russia to Ukraine, the first anniversary of which passed couple of days ago, made the paper relevant again. I am opening my chapter to the public and I encourage the readers to check the rest of the book at its publisher - Indiana University Press.

Jeruzalém – tváře svatého města [Jerusalem – Faces of the Holy City]

Harmonie, 2018

This is a popular article written for the Czech magazine of classical music "Harmonie" in May 20... more This is a popular article written for the Czech magazine of classical music "Harmonie" in May 2018. The article explores the fascinating ties between history, religion, memory and urbanism of both ancient and modern Jerusalem. The article was written per editor's request on the occassion of Jordi Savall's visit to Prague, where he presented his musical project inspired by Jerusalem. All photographs in the article are mine.

Blessed Be the Surgeon? The Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Emuna u-mada' Controversy and its Legacy

Religio: Revue pro religionistiku 29/2, 2021

This article analyzes the intellectual controversy sparked in the 1970s by the remarks of the las... more This article analyzes the intellectual controversy sparked in the 1970s by the remarks of the last Rebbe of the Lubavitcher dynasty, Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), concerning the alleged Divine role in the horrors of the Shoah. The ensuing dispute took place in the form of essays, newspaper articles and op-eds, as well as private and open le- tters, and its echoes have occasionally resonated well into the 2000s. Closer inspection of the controversy, offered in this article, reveals not only the conflicting paradigms between traditional Jewish theodicy on the one hand and secular ethics on the other, but also the di- fferences between Ḥaṣidic hagiographic narration and scientific positivism. This article analyzes the entire debate by using original Hebrew sources, some of which have never been published in English. The Rebbe’s controversial words are analyzed in their full, original context, and the ensuing controversy is explored with a focus on the incompatible patterns of reasoning that may have hindered the dialogue. By further exploring the legacy of this controversy, the article also serves as a case study on how apocrypha are construed in con- temporary religious movements.

Antisemitism in the Czech Republic: Understanding Current Trends

Antisemitism Studies Vol. 4, No. 1 (Spring 2020), pp. 108-142, 2020

The Czech Republic is considered to be a country with low levels of antisemitism. This does not m... more The Czech Republic is considered to be a country with low levels of antisemitism. This does not mean, however, that anti-Jewish attitudes have disappeared from Czech society. While it is not an immediate threat, the phenomenon persists in certain specific political and cultural circles. The first section of this article examines the major characteristics of Czech antisemitism through statistics, polls, and other indicators. The second section explores the ideological sources and visual forms of Czech antisemitism. Unlike Western Europe and the United States, the Czech Republic faces challenges involving more traditional forms of antisemitism, such as conspiracy theories and even the blood-libel, which do not respect partisan political divisions and often lead to unexpected alliances.

Esotericism and Antisemitism: Why Should We Care?

Position Papers (Paper N. 2: 22 June 2020), 2020

This position paper written for the Kantor Center, University of Tel Aviv aims to open the debate... more

How Do You See the Chances of Peace Efforts Between Israel and Palestine After the American Decision on Jerusalem?

by Magyar Külügyi Intézet /Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Bence Németh, and Zbyněk Tarant

KKI 4:1 , 2018

A Külügyi és Külgazdasági Intézet 4:1 című sorozatában négy kutató válaszol röviden ugyanarra – a... more A Külügyi és Külgazdasági Intézet 4:1 című sorozatában négy kutató válaszol röviden ugyanarra – a nemzetközi politikát és gazdaságot érintő – kérdésre. Célunk a magyarországi tudományos viták elindítása és a szakértők közötti párbeszéd elősegítése. Jelenlegi (angol nyelven megjelent) számunkban a következő kérdésre kerestük a választ: “How Do You See the Chances of Peace Efforts Between Israel and Palestine After the American Decision on Jerusalem?”

Bence Németh – Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Beáta Paragi – Corvinus University of Budapest
Zbyněk Tarant – University of West Bohemia
Michał Wojnarowicz – Polish Institute of International Affairs

From Munich to London – Responses to the Czechoslovak Crisis of 1938–1939 in the Press of the Yishuv in Palestine [IN ENGLISH]

Chilufim – Zeitschrift für Jüdische Kulturgeschichte, 2018

This article traces the sources of persistence of Munich conference analogies in the Zionist disc... more This article traces the sources of persistence of Munich conference analogies in the Zionist discourse by looking back at the actual days of Munich and its aftermath, and by summarizing the rhetoric of public media in the Yishuv (“pre-state Israel”) on Czechoslovakia and the Sudetenland crisis between September 1938 and March 1939. By using examples from the Yishuv press, I document the unfortunate coincidence of historical events and the remarks made by statesmen that may have caused Munich to be seen not only as a Czechoslovak catastrophe, but also as a direct threat to the Zionist pursuit.

Od islamofobie k antisemitismu ["From Islamophobia to Antisemitism" IN CZECH]

Ostřanský, Bronislav: Islamofobie po česku (Prauge: Vyšehrad 2017), 2017

The chapter explores the role of islamophobia in the thought of antisemitic movements. Based on ... more The chapter explores the role of islamophobia in the thought of antisemitic movements. Based on a long-time analysis of the Czech far-right and other antisemitic websites, pamphlets, symbolism and political speeches, it will attempt to tackle the difficult discussion over the relationship between antisemitism and Islamophobia from a completely different angle by reconstructing the antisemite’s mindset and worldview.

„Nový světový řád“ jako případová studie geneze moderního antisemitského mýtu ["New World Order" – an ethnographic case-study of a modern antisemitic myth. IN CZECH and SLOVAK].

Horňanová, Sidonia et al.: Tieň reformácie po 500 rokoch. (Bratislavský seniorát ECAV na Slovensku 2018), 2017

The book-chapter traces the origins and history of the “Illuminati” and “NWO” myths, as well as t... more The book-chapter traces the origins and history of the “Illuminati” and “NWO” myths, as well as the mechanisms of their connection to antisemitism in the Western thought. It concludes, among others, that despite our misconceptions of antisemitism as “product of low education”, it were the well-educated thinkers and inventors, who contributed the most to the evolution of this myth. Using the example of “Discordians” – a group of post-modern pranksters, who have unintentionally re-awakaned the NWO myth by trying to parodize conspiracy theories – the chapter also shows, how humor and parody can become a double-edged sword. The today’s myth of New World Order is then described as paradox, when the fear of “global conspiracy” has also become a global business opportunity.

Vladimir Putin’S ‘War On Fascism’ And The Russian Links To Far-Right And Antisemitic Parties In Europe [ENGLISH]

Grimm, Marc; Kahmann, Bodo (eds.): Antisemitismus im 21. Jahrhundert: Virulenz einer alten Feindschaft in Zeiten von Islamismus und Terror, 2018

Vladimir Putin’s regime often presents itself as an anti-Fascist force, using the legacy of The G... more Vladimir Putin’s regime often presents itself as an anti-Fascist force, using the legacy of The Great Patriotic War for purposes of anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian propaganda. However, this ostensibly anti-Fascist and anti-antisemitic Russian ethos is somewhat tainted by the fact that the Putin’s regime has the tendency to view the world through conspiracist lens that leaves the door open for antisemitism. Moreover, the regime receives a strong vocal support from far-right fascist and antisemitic parties, to which, arguably, it provides certain financial, organizational and to some extent even ideological support. The following chapter attempts to tackle some of these paradoxes within the narrow limits of an academic paper by providing an overview of recent personal and financial contacts as well as ideological and geopolitical affinity between the Russian authorities and European far-right parties. A brief overview of the levels of antisemitism in Russia and Ukraine is included in order to provide context.

Friends or Foes? Attitudes of the Czech Anti-Semitic Scene to Islam and Muslims

The ISGAP papers – Antisemitism in Comparative Perspective, 2018

This article aims to tackle the antisemitism vs. Islamophobia debate from a fresh perspective by ... more This article aims to tackle the antisemitism vs. Islamophobia debate from a fresh perspective by exploring the complicated attitude of the Czech antisemitic scene to Islam and Muslims. For this purpose, an analysis of the Czech antisemitic cyberspace was undertaken in combination with a qualitative analysis of the particular websites, as well as non-participant observation of the activities of the European Solidarity Front for Syria (ESFS) in the Czech Republic, the latter being established by neo-Nazis, even though it is supported by the radical left as well. The main conclusion is that the discourse of Czech antisemitism on Islam and Muslims is dominated by a clash of two incompatible stereotypes (the Muslim as either the noble warrior or immigrant). On the example of neo-Nazi attitudes towards the Arab Spring, the article further documents the affinity of neo-Nazi and far-right movements towards particular regimes in the Muslim world, namely Syria, Libya and Iran, as well as hostile attitudes with regard to Sunni Gulf monarchies. The research for this article had been performed before the 2015 Migration Crisis in Europe.

“Let Us Stop the Crazy Deal”: Environmentalism and the Green Deal in the Discourse of the Czech Populist Right-Wing and Far-Right Parties.

Contested Climate Justice – Challenged Democracy: International Perspectives, 2024

The chapter analyzes how right-wing populist (SPD, Trikolora) and far-right milieus (neo-Nazis, n... more The chapter analyzes how right-wing populist (SPD, Trikolora) and far-right milieus (neo-Nazis, neo-Fascists) discuss the environment, global climate change, sustainability, and the Green Deal. Primary sources, namely online content produced by the movements themselves are used to uncover the difference between localist environmentalism at the national level and the refusal to acknowledge the global, transnational threats to sustainable living. This will be documented by an- alyzing their reactions to global climate change policies and the Green New Deal. The chapter also touches on the conspiracy narratives within the far-right in response to international sustainability initiatives, like the Green New Deal.

The Last Chapter? Leo Herrmann and the Czech Transfer (1938–1939)

Shmuel Hugo Bergmann: A Life between Prague and Jerusalem, 2024

This chapter analyzes the attempts to rescue 2,500 Czech Jews by means of a ha‘avara scheme, whic... more This chapter analyzes the attempts to rescue 2,500 Czech Jews by means of a ha‘avara scheme, which was negotiated by Bar Kochba alumnus, Leo Herrmann. Born in Lanškroun in 1888, Herrmann was truly a renaissance personality – lawyer, Zionist activist, journalist, editor in-chief, film producer and longtime secretary general of the Keren Ha-Yesod. Using his unique skills in fundraising and crisis management as well as his excellent contacts within the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, Herrmann designed a scheme that allowed the rescue of thousands of Czechoslovak Jews, including notable Zionists such as Max Brod, Felix Weltsch or David Paul Meretz, often in the last possible moments. The following chapter describes the rescue effort in closer detail, using primary and secondary sources in Czech, German and Hebrew.

Bericht über negative soziale Phänomene in der tschechischen Gesellschaft im Kontext der Flüchtlingskrise

Křížek, Daniel – Doevenspeck, Martin. Migrace a integrace v bavorsko-českém kontextu / Migration und Integration im bayerisch-tschechischen Kontext: University of West Bohemia in Pilsen 2021, 2021

Report on negative social phenomena in Czech society in the context of the refugee crisis Anotace... more Report on negative social phenomena in Czech society in the context of the refugee crisis
Anotace anglicky The chapter deals with the analysis of negative social phenomena in the context of the migration/refugee crisis. In addition to the structure and main trends of migration to the Czech Republic, it also analyses the attitudes of the main parliamentary parties towards migration and integration, the reactions of the extremist scene and statistics on hate speeches. All this using a wide range of open sources, its own analysis of party political programmes, as well as monitoring of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the Czech online environment.

Das Kapitel befasst sich mit der Analyse negativer sozialer Phänomene im Zusammenhang mit der Migrations-/Flüchtlingskrise. Neben der Struktur und den wichtigsten Trends der Migration in die Tschechische Republik werden auch die Einstellungen der wichtigsten parlamentarischen Parteien zu Migration und Integration, die Reaktionen der extremistischen Szene und Statistiken zu Hassreden analysiert. All dies unter Verwendung einer breiten Palette offener Quellen, einer eigenen Analyse der politischen Programme der Parteien sowie der Beobachtung von Antisemitismus und Islamophobie im tschechischen Online-Umfeld.

Landskron, London, Jerusalem – The Life and Work of Leo Herrmann [IN CZECH]

Slovo z Jeruzaléma, 2023

This is a printed version of my popular article about the personality of Keren HaYesod general se... more

Analysis of Antisemitic Trends in Czech Websites between 1999 and 2022. : Ideological Background, Geolocation, Transparency, and Attitudes on the Russian-Ukrainian War [ENGLISH, OpenAccess]

Apparatus. Film, Media and Digital Cultures of Central and Eastern Europe, 2023

This article provides an original and up-to-date overview of the main trends in Czech online anti... more This article provides an original and up-to-date overview of the main trends in Czech online antisemitism by analysing aggregated data from multiple surveys made by the author, which cover two decades spanning from the pioneering era of the Czech internet in the late 1990s to 2022. The study has noted some profound changes in the main sources of contemporary Czech antisemitism – from various flavours of the far-right in the mid-2000s to conspiracy narratives without a clear Left-Right distinction since the mid-2010s. This new generation of antisemitic websites was found to have a longer lifespan and significantly larger audiences while operating with a higher degree of self-confidence from all regions of the country. A strongly pro-Kremlin inclination was found to be a significant feature of almost all antisemitic websites in the country to the extent that they were directly impacted by the February 2022 government crackdown against “pro-Kremlin disinformation platforms”. The aftermath of this crackdown is discussed in the final chapter.

Leo Herrmann z Lanškrouna jako „manažer sionismu“ a zachránce československých Židů [Leo Herrmann - the Landskron-born Zionist manager and rescuer of Czechoslovak Jews - IN CZECH]

Nová orientace, 2023

Popular, non-peer-reviewed article in Czech about the life and work of the Keren HaYesod secretar... more Popular, non-peer-reviewed article in Czech about the life and work of the Keren HaYesod secretary general Leo Herrmann.. The article focuses on his WWII rescue efforts for Czechoslovak Jews, which saved up to 4500 people, including some of the notable historical figures, such as Max Brod or Felix Weltsch. Full academic version of this article in English with complete references is currently under peer-review.

The Influence of the Health Belief Model on the Decision to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine: An International Survey Study of College Students

by Corinne Berger and Zbyněk Tarant

INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 2023

To better prepare for a potential future pandemic, it is important to investigate factors that in... more To better prepare for a potential future pandemic, it is important to investigate factors that influenced responses to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that influenced the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone throughout the world. Vaccines are a significant factor in managing a pandemic. As vaccines are developed, governments develop vaccine roll-out plans. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancies can slow the implementation of any vaccine program. A question arises as to the factors that are associated with the decision to get vaccinated. The present study explored associations between vaccine hesitancy, and the Health Belief Model (HBM) in student samples from the Czech Republic, Israel, and the United States. From August, 2021 through December, 2021, an online survey was distributed in Czech, Hebrew, and English. A total of 447 participants completed the survey. A binomial logistic regression was conducted to ascertain the influence of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers on the likelihood that participants are vaccinated. Results revealed that the factors of perceived severity and perceived benefits explained 52.6% (Nagelkerke R 2) of the variance in vaccination. An analysis of Variance (ANOVA) found significant differences between countries for the 4 HBM factors. Based on these findings, it is recommended that policymakers put forth added emphasis on the severity of a virus and the benefits associated with the vaccine. Further, since there appears to be variability between countries in perceptions of the virus, and associated vaccine, governments should consider factors within their own environment when developing a strategy to combat a pandemic. More specifically, government could explore their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they develop a pandemic strategy. Additional practical and theoretical implications are discussed. Keywords COVID-19, health belief model, vaccine hesitancy, pandemic What do we already know about this topic? The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone throughout the world. Vaccine hesitancy has been a challenge for healthcare systems and policymakers who work to mitigate the challenges of a pandemic. The global aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an environment to better understand the factors that influence the decision to get vaccinated. How does your research contribute to the field? The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that influenced the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine. An analysis of a sample of college students from the Czech Republic, Israel, and the United States revealed similarities in perceptions of the severity of the virus, as well as the perceived benefits in relation to the decision to get vaccinated. In addition, results provide evidence as to the differences in the levels of perceptions relative to getting vaccinated. What are your research's implications toward theory, practice, or policy? Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant global challenge. The present study provides evidence that policy makers should further promote the benefits of a vaccine and emphasize potential severity of the virus. In addition to highlighting the death rate of a virus, it may be prudent to highlight the severe and potentially long-term symptoms of a virus. Finally, the present study provides evidence of country-specific varying perceptions of susceptibly, severity, benefits, and barriers associated with a virus and vaccine. Rather than a global model for dealing with a virus, governments should consider their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in creating an effective model to mitigate the virus.

Diaspora paměti – kapitola 10 – "Děti, co nepronáší proslovy" ["Diaspora of Memory", Chapter 10 – "Kids That Don't Make Speeches" - IN CZECH]

Diaspora paměti, 2012

This is a chapter from my published social anthropology PhD. thesis on Holocaust memory in Israel... more This is a chapter from my published social anthropology PhD. thesis on Holocaust memory in Israel and the United States, titled "Diaspora of Memory". This chapter reflects on some of the contemporary debates concerning Root journeys as well as debate on abuses of Holocaust memory. March of the Living is reflected from a participant observation as well as from debates among Israeli educators. Written as a direct polemic with "Holocaust industry", it also contextualizes the Finkelstein's controversial work. Please note that the book is almost twelve years old. A lot of additional scholarship was published since then that was not available at the time of its writing.

Is Brown the New Green? The Environmental Discourse of the Czech Far Right.

The Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse and Communication, edited by Bernhard Forchtner, 2020

Book chapter dealing with attitudes of Czech far-right movements to issues of environmentalism. T... more

From Donetsk to Tel Aviv – Czech Antisemitic Movements Respond to the Russian–Ukrainian War

Rosenfeld, A.H. (Ed.): Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism: The Dynamics of Delegitimization, Studies in Antisemitism, 2019

I wrote this book chapter about five to six years ago to reflect on the far-right responses to th... more I wrote this book chapter about five to six years ago to reflect on the far-right responses to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The second invasion of Russia to Ukraine, the first anniversary of which passed couple of days ago, made the paper relevant again. I am opening my chapter to the public and I encourage the readers to check the rest of the book at its publisher - Indiana University Press.

Jeruzalém – tváře svatého města [Jerusalem – Faces of the Holy City]

Harmonie, 2018

This is a popular article written for the Czech magazine of classical music "Harmonie" in May 20... more This is a popular article written for the Czech magazine of classical music "Harmonie" in May 2018. The article explores the fascinating ties between history, religion, memory and urbanism of both ancient and modern Jerusalem. The article was written per editor's request on the occassion of Jordi Savall's visit to Prague, where he presented his musical project inspired by Jerusalem. All photographs in the article are mine.

Blessed Be the Surgeon? The Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Emuna u-mada' Controversy and its Legacy

Religio: Revue pro religionistiku 29/2, 2021

This article analyzes the intellectual controversy sparked in the 1970s by the remarks of the las... more This article analyzes the intellectual controversy sparked in the 1970s by the remarks of the last Rebbe of the Lubavitcher dynasty, Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), concerning the alleged Divine role in the horrors of the Shoah. The ensuing dispute took place in the form of essays, newspaper articles and op-eds, as well as private and open le- tters, and its echoes have occasionally resonated well into the 2000s. Closer inspection of the controversy, offered in this article, reveals not only the conflicting paradigms between traditional Jewish theodicy on the one hand and secular ethics on the other, but also the di- fferences between Ḥaṣidic hagiographic narration and scientific positivism. This article analyzes the entire debate by using original Hebrew sources, some of which have never been published in English. The Rebbe’s controversial words are analyzed in their full, original context, and the ensuing controversy is explored with a focus on the incompatible patterns of reasoning that may have hindered the dialogue. By further exploring the legacy of this controversy, the article also serves as a case study on how apocrypha are construed in con- temporary religious movements.

Antisemitism in the Czech Republic: Understanding Current Trends

Antisemitism Studies Vol. 4, No. 1 (Spring 2020), pp. 108-142, 2020

The Czech Republic is considered to be a country with low levels of antisemitism. This does not m... more The Czech Republic is considered to be a country with low levels of antisemitism. This does not mean, however, that anti-Jewish attitudes have disappeared from Czech society. While it is not an immediate threat, the phenomenon persists in certain specific political and cultural circles. The first section of this article examines the major characteristics of Czech antisemitism through statistics, polls, and other indicators. The second section explores the ideological sources and visual forms of Czech antisemitism. Unlike Western Europe and the United States, the Czech Republic faces challenges involving more traditional forms of antisemitism, such as conspiracy theories and even the blood-libel, which do not respect partisan political divisions and often lead to unexpected alliances.

Esotericism and Antisemitism: Why Should We Care?

Position Papers (Paper N. 2: 22 June 2020), 2020

This position paper written for the Kantor Center, University of Tel Aviv aims to open the debate... more

How Do You See the Chances of Peace Efforts Between Israel and Palestine After the American Decision on Jerusalem?

by Magyar Külügyi Intézet /Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Bence Németh, and Zbyněk Tarant

KKI 4:1 , 2018

A Külügyi és Külgazdasági Intézet 4:1 című sorozatában négy kutató válaszol röviden ugyanarra – a... more A Külügyi és Külgazdasági Intézet 4:1 című sorozatában négy kutató válaszol röviden ugyanarra – a nemzetközi politikát és gazdaságot érintő – kérdésre. Célunk a magyarországi tudományos viták elindítása és a szakértők közötti párbeszéd elősegítése. Jelenlegi (angol nyelven megjelent) számunkban a következő kérdésre kerestük a választ: “How Do You See the Chances of Peace Efforts Between Israel and Palestine After the American Decision on Jerusalem?”

Bence Németh – Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Beáta Paragi – Corvinus University of Budapest
Zbyněk Tarant – University of West Bohemia
Michał Wojnarowicz – Polish Institute of International Affairs

From Munich to London – Responses to the Czechoslovak Crisis of 1938–1939 in the Press of the Yishuv in Palestine [IN ENGLISH]

Chilufim – Zeitschrift für Jüdische Kulturgeschichte, 2018

This article traces the sources of persistence of Munich conference analogies in the Zionist disc... more This article traces the sources of persistence of Munich conference analogies in the Zionist discourse by looking back at the actual days of Munich and its aftermath, and by summarizing the rhetoric of public media in the Yishuv (“pre-state Israel”) on Czechoslovakia and the Sudetenland crisis between September 1938 and March 1939. By using examples from the Yishuv press, I document the unfortunate coincidence of historical events and the remarks made by statesmen that may have caused Munich to be seen not only as a Czechoslovak catastrophe, but also as a direct threat to the Zionist pursuit.

Od islamofobie k antisemitismu ["From Islamophobia to Antisemitism" IN CZECH]

Ostřanský, Bronislav: Islamofobie po česku (Prauge: Vyšehrad 2017), 2017

The chapter explores the role of islamophobia in the thought of antisemitic movements. Based on ... more The chapter explores the role of islamophobia in the thought of antisemitic movements. Based on a long-time analysis of the Czech far-right and other antisemitic websites, pamphlets, symbolism and political speeches, it will attempt to tackle the difficult discussion over the relationship between antisemitism and Islamophobia from a completely different angle by reconstructing the antisemite’s mindset and worldview.

„Nový světový řád“ jako případová studie geneze moderního antisemitského mýtu ["New World Order" – an ethnographic case-study of a modern antisemitic myth. IN CZECH and SLOVAK].

Horňanová, Sidonia et al.: Tieň reformácie po 500 rokoch. (Bratislavský seniorát ECAV na Slovensku 2018), 2017

The book-chapter traces the origins and history of the “Illuminati” and “NWO” myths, as well as t... more The book-chapter traces the origins and history of the “Illuminati” and “NWO” myths, as well as the mechanisms of their connection to antisemitism in the Western thought. It concludes, among others, that despite our misconceptions of antisemitism as “product of low education”, it were the well-educated thinkers and inventors, who contributed the most to the evolution of this myth. Using the example of “Discordians” – a group of post-modern pranksters, who have unintentionally re-awakaned the NWO myth by trying to parodize conspiracy theories – the chapter also shows, how humor and parody can become a double-edged sword. The today’s myth of New World Order is then described as paradox, when the fear of “global conspiracy” has also become a global business opportunity.

Vladimir Putin’S ‘War On Fascism’ And The Russian Links To Far-Right And Antisemitic Parties In Europe [ENGLISH]

Grimm, Marc; Kahmann, Bodo (eds.): Antisemitismus im 21. Jahrhundert: Virulenz einer alten Feindschaft in Zeiten von Islamismus und Terror, 2018

Vladimir Putin’s regime often presents itself as an anti-Fascist force, using the legacy of The G... more Vladimir Putin’s regime often presents itself as an anti-Fascist force, using the legacy of The Great Patriotic War for purposes of anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian propaganda. However, this ostensibly anti-Fascist and anti-antisemitic Russian ethos is somewhat tainted by the fact that the Putin’s regime has the tendency to view the world through conspiracist lens that leaves the door open for antisemitism. Moreover, the regime receives a strong vocal support from far-right fascist and antisemitic parties, to which, arguably, it provides certain financial, organizational and to some extent even ideological support. The following chapter attempts to tackle some of these paradoxes within the narrow limits of an academic paper by providing an overview of recent personal and financial contacts as well as ideological and geopolitical affinity between the Russian authorities and European far-right parties. A brief overview of the levels of antisemitism in Russia and Ukraine is included in order to provide context.

Friends or Foes? Attitudes of the Czech Anti-Semitic Scene to Islam and Muslims

The ISGAP papers – Antisemitism in Comparative Perspective, 2018

This article aims to tackle the antisemitism vs. Islamophobia debate from a fresh perspective by ... more This article aims to tackle the antisemitism vs. Islamophobia debate from a fresh perspective by exploring the complicated attitude of the Czech antisemitic scene to Islam and Muslims. For this purpose, an analysis of the Czech antisemitic cyberspace was undertaken in combination with a qualitative analysis of the particular websites, as well as non-participant observation of the activities of the European Solidarity Front for Syria (ESFS) in the Czech Republic, the latter being established by neo-Nazis, even though it is supported by the radical left as well. The main conclusion is that the discourse of Czech antisemitism on Islam and Muslims is dominated by a clash of two incompatible stereotypes (the Muslim as either the noble warrior or immigrant). On the example of neo-Nazi attitudes towards the Arab Spring, the article further documents the affinity of neo-Nazi and far-right movements towards particular regimes in the Muslim world, namely Syria, Libya and Iran, as well as hostile attitudes with regard to Sunni Gulf monarchies. The research for this article had been performed before the 2015 Migration Crisis in Europe.

Islamophobia in the East of the European Union: Workshop Program, Prague, October 2016

by Ivan Kalmar, Aleksandra Lewicki, Michal Buchowski, Konrad Pedziwiatr, Zbyněk Tarant, Ondřej Slačálek, Selma Muhic Dizdarevic, and František Kalenda

Small, international workshop on an important issue much discussed by the general public but not ... more

From Donyetsk to Tel Aviv – „Anti-Zionism“ as a Propaganda Tool among the Czech Antisemitic Movements vis-á-vis the War in Ukraine

The presentation at the ISCA’s conference on antisemitism (Indiana University) explores the respo... more The presentation at the ISCA’s conference on antisemitism (Indiana University) explores the responses of the Czech antisemitic movements to the war in Ukraine. What can we learn from these responses about the Czech antisemites’ attitudes to Russia and Ukraine? Divided in their loyalties between the fascination by imperial achievements of Vladimir Putin and the personal relationships to their comrades from Ukrainian Right Sector, the Czech antisemitic movements can agree on one thing only: that whatever is happening between Russia and Ukraine, the Jews are to be blamed for it.

Czech Antisemitic Movements towards the Muslim World - Zbynek Tarant - ISGAP

Professor of Mideast Studies at the University of West Bohemia Zbynek Tarant details the beliefs,... more Professor of Mideast Studies at the University of West Bohemia Zbynek Tarant details the beliefs, actions, and inherent contradictions of antisemitic movements in the Czech Republic, especially considering them within the context of the Syrian Civil War and current refugee crisis. A program of ISGAP and the University of West Bohemia, from Columbia University in New York.

Obrazy nenávisti. Vizuální projevy antisemitismu ve střední Evropě

by Eva Janáčová, Jakub Hauser, Jan Dienstbier, Daniel Véri, Michal Frankl, and Zbyněk Tarant

Kolektivní monografie Obrazy nenávisti přináší jedenáct studií zabývajících se vizuálními projevy... more Kolektivní monografie Obrazy nenávisti přináší jedenáct studií zabývajících se vizuálními projevy antijudaismu a antisemitismu ve střední Evropě od středověku po současnost. Publikace na základě dosud převážně neznámých materiálů hledá z různých perspektiv odpovědi na otázku, jaká byla role vizuality v rozvoji antisemitských nálad a v politických agendách podněcujících nenávist vůči Židům. Pole vizuálního antijudaismu a antisemitismu bylo a je velmi široké: od stereotypních zobrazení, které mohou své poselství skrývat za humoristickými obsahy, po jasně formulované útoky s cílem eskalovat nenávist vůči imaginárnímu kolektivnímu nepříteli – v obou případech s cílem vyloučit Židy z pomyslně monolitické majoritní společnosti a upevnit dělicí linii na „my“ a „oni“. Přes tematickou a metodologickou různorodost nabízí kniha souhrnnou představu o fenoménu vizuálního antijudaismu a antisemitismu a poskytuje bohatý komparativní materiál pro celý středoevropský region.

The Czechoslovak Hurban – Responses to Munich Agreement and the Second Czechoslovak Republic by the Zionist Yishuv in Palestine [CZECH, with 20 pages summary in ENGLISH]

Tato kniha je postavena na doposud nepublikované analýze rozsáhlého korpusu téměř 2500 dobových n... more Tato kniha je postavena na doposud nepublikované analýze rozsáhlého korpusu téměř 2500 dobových novinových článků v hebrejském a anglickém jazyce, vydaných v britské mandátní Palestině na podzim 1938 a jaře 1939. Podrobně mapuje reakce židovského tisku na mnichovskou dohodu, rozpad českoslo- venské demokracie a počátek nacistické okupace českých zemí. Dokumentuje nejen bezprecedentní výrazy solidarity sionis- tického hnutí s Československem, ale i to, jak se sionistický tisk snažil přetavit zklamání z „mnichovské zrady“ ve vlastní výzvu k soběstačnosti a svépomoci. Pochopení této sionistické varianty mnichovského narativu, včetně mnohdy kuriózní souhry historických událostí, které jej formovaly, je pak klíčem k porozumění dodnes přetrvávajícího skeptického postoje moderního židovského státu k institucím a nástrojům mezinárodní diplomacie.

Arabské jaro -příčiny, průběh, důsledky - II. díl Sýrie a Arabský poloostrov

by Veronika Sobotková and Zbyněk Tarant

Arabské jaro -příčiny, průběh, důsledky - II. díl Sýrie a Arabský poloostrov, 2014

ARAB SPRING Smyslem této dvoudílné edice je pak poskytnout čtenáři poučený, chronologicky a geog... more ARAB SPRING
Smyslem této dvoudílné edice je pak poskytnout čtenáři poučený, chronologicky a geograficky členěný výklad k průběhu vlastních povstání či protestů Arabského jara (jehož konec ohraničujeme přelomem roku 2011/2012). Současně se ale jednotliví spoluautoři snaží o hlubší analýzu příčin a důsledků této společenské exploze. To vše vždy v kontextu konkrétní země nebo skupiny zemí. Tento druhý díl se zabývá příčinami, průběhem a důsledky Arabského jara v Sýrii, Jemenu, Bahrajnu a ostatních státech Perského zálivu. Knihu uzavírá úvaha nad hojně diskutovanou úlohou sociálních sítí a moderních komunikačních technologií v těchto událostech.

Between Iran and Zion: Jewish Histories of Twentieth-Century Iran. By Lior B. Sternfeld. California: Stanford University Press 2019. 208 pages. Paperback $24; Hardcover $40

Journal of Contemporary Antisemitism, 2021

Book review of Lior B. Sternfeld’s thought provoking monograph on contemporary Iran and its Jewry.

Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews: Antisemitism, Propaganda, and the Displacement of Ukrainian Jewry. By Sam Sokol. New York: Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, 2020. 364 pages. Paperback $14.99

Book review of Sam Sokol’s excellent monograph about the situation of Ukrainian Jews during the R... more

Emanuel Beška, Gabriel Pirický, Jaroslav Drobný (2020): Nenaplnené nádeje Arabskej jari -Desaťročie revolúcií, povstání a konfliktov na Blízkom východe

West Bohemian Review of Social Science & Humanities, 2021

This is a review of the first book about Arab Spring ever published in Slovak language. And while... more This is a review of the first book about Arab Spring ever published in Slovak language. And while there are many such similar monographs on the market, the reviewer applauds the effort to cultivate Slovak academic discourse about these events in the national language. Using 10-anniversary of the events, the book provides some fresh perspectives and tries to counter some of the established media narratives.