Mineral Man - I know you are an atheist I have no idea why you would bother to ask this question. I will only say this. While I fully realize that Jesus willingly went to the cross as part of God's wonderful and perfect plan of salvation, the people who participated (the "they" if you will) involved many. The Romans only did what the Jews requested. The specific individuals involved were only the instruments or human tools of God's divine plan. God works through people, Mineral Man, but if you don't believe in God, how will you ever understand how He works. As the Scripture says, you are blind.
Jesus was a Jew. His followers were Jews.
You wrote this:
"I stand firm in my belief that if they hated Him, they will hate me"
You think Jews hate you? How strange.