2000 years ago, Judea, the country of the Jewish people, was ruled by the Roman Empire. Jews were not normally persecuted; Romans were remarkably tolerant of other religions, and sometimes even stole these other religions (or concepts from them) for themselves. Judea had joined the Roman Empire as a "client state"- they were a kingdom, but under the "protection" of the Romans. Eventually the kings died out and Judea became directly ruled by Rome; but the Jews were afforded special rights, like that they did not have to participate in pagan ceremonies or use money with Roman gods and emperors on it.
Every once in a while, however, an unscrupulous Roman official would try to force the Jews to do something they didn't want to do, like have the Great Temple use its internal funds to pay an arbitrary tax, or have Jewish people participate in a pagan religious ceremony.
Usually the Jews would just go through the normal Imperial bureaucracy to have that official removed or transferred elsewhere. But sometimes, especially when the bureaucracy failed to help them, there would be riots... and riots usually led to revolts. The Romans hated revolts, and had zero tolerance for them.
There were three major Jewish revolts against the Romans, all of which were intense, bloody wars:
After the third war, the Roman Emperor, who did not want to deal with Jewish revolts anymore, banned all Jews from Judea. Judea was rebuilt by the Romans and renamed "Syria Palaestina", after the Philistines, an enemy tribe of the ancient Jews- this is where the term "Palestine" comes from. The Jewish population was devastated, and the religious center became Babylonia (modern Iraq), where Jewish schools had been set up. There were later revolts by Jews against the Romans, but they would never again have the success they had in the first three.
Jews would not be able to return to their ancient homelands in great numbers until the last 150 years or so; but in the time between Bar Kokhba's war and their return, other non-Jewish peoples moved into the area. This is where the conflict between Israel and Palestine originates, and it gets even worse when you factor in things like Christian eschatological beliefs that Jews need to be back in Judea for Jesus to return....
Jews have been persecuted throughout history.
jews.
Judaism was persecuted by the Soviet Union. Jews have been persecuted almost constantly.
== == == == The Nazis
Antiochus Epiphanes.
With respect, the assumption in the question is not accurate. The Jews are not 'persecuted worldwide'.
Jews have been persecuted throughout history.
jews.
The Jews and Muslims
jews
Judaism was persecuted by the Soviet Union. Jews have been persecuted almost constantly.
yes.
Jews like Paul persecuted the christians.
== == == == The Nazis
Yes they were
Antiochus Epiphanes.
192x-1945