Just a couple of minor points:
One possible reason for Pilate's 'malliability' at the time of Jesus' crucifixion is that he was an appointee during the era of Sejanus, who had been, later, chopped by Tiberius for treason and therefore Pilate was always going to be a little 'suspect'
(Rule 1:- Keep your head down and don't get noticed)
Patestine was ripe for political/religeous trouble - to be avoided(see Rule 1 above).

Second point: Re: Historical AntiSemitism.

During the Middle ages, Jews were forbidden from apprenticed trades and the 'professions' driving them into the business forbidden to Christians, such as Usury (money-lending) - making them unpopular.
Due to their different religeous practices, in dress, habit and diet, Jews were fairly easy to identify and thus were an easier target for prejudice, part of which involved distinguishing clothing restricted movement<1>, which, of course made them easier still to identify and therefore make scape-goats of.

The Catholic Church didn't help with its doctrine of 'Personal Responsibility' - at some point in history, someone in the hierarchy<2> adopted the idea that ALL Jews were personally responsible for the death of Christ - I am informed that this principle wasn't positively denied by the Church until post WW2 (1946 or 47)

Regards

Walrus

<1> Sound familiar?
<2> Date and name unknown.