Nearly every day, we encounter the notion that what may seem like anti-Semitism is merely “criticism of the Israeli government.” Yet, when outdated anti-Semitic stereotypes are neatly repackaged and applied to Israel, it’s time to realize that this isn’t just a typical political dispute.
What’s happening on college campuses, in podcasts, and in public protests appears to be a revival of age-old myths aimed at Jews that date back long before the establishment of the modern state of Israel.
Take, for example, the blood libels from the Middle Ages, where Jews were baselessly accused of murdering Christian children for rituals. The first known occurrence happened in Norwich, England, in 1144, igniting a wave of similar accusations throughout Europe, leading to the massacre and expulsion of Jewish communities. Sadly, such lies persist in several Arab nations even today.
Recently, there have been allegations that Israel intentionally targets children and harvests organs from Arabs—a gruesome claim reflecting the structure of old blood libels.
In 2009, a Swedish newspaper reported that Israeli soldiers were taking organs from corpses, igniting a major uproar and diplomatic strife. Even though the author admitted there was no evidence to support the claim, the narrative rapidly spread globally.
The tragic outcomes following the Gaza war are often reframed as accusations that Israel deliberately kills children, painting a picture of uniquely Jewish brutality. The rhetoric tends to devolve into descriptions of bloodlust and child murder, echoing medieval fantasies. The image of Jews, now embodied by the Jewish state, is twisted into one of deriving pleasure or gain from the suffering of innocents.
Another recurring theme is the myth of Jewish world domination. The discredited text known as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, first published in imperial Russia in the early 20th century, claimed to reveal a Jewish conspiracy controlling global politics and finance. Disgracefully, this despicable falsehood continues to reappear, perpetrated by extremists who camoflage centuries-old hatred as something of a “conspiracy.”
In 2026, such metaphors are often recalibrated to portray groups like AIPAC as puppet masters of governments, media, and financial sectors. Advocacy groups do indeed exist that support U.S. relations with other nations and influence public opinion and legal frameworks. However, Israel is often depicted as uniquely malevolent, almost omnipotent, capable of manipulating entire governments at will.
In this climate, social media influencers, podcasters, and even members of government committees express sentiments like “I’d rather die than kneel to Israel,” suggesting a fantasy that simply doesn’t exist. When protests brandish signs declaring that “Israel controls America” or “Zionists run the media,” it’s not a critique of policy but an echo of the Protocols, where Israel stands in for the Jews.
The pattern is striking. Jews were once falsely charged with poisoning wells during the Black Death. Now, Israel faces accusations of deliberately spreading disease in Gaza. Historically, Jews have been blamed for instigating world wars for profit, a narrative repurposed now to cast Israel as a hidden hand behind international conflicts. The historical framework remains; only the subject shifts from a scattered Jewish population to a sovereign Jewish state.
Seeing these claims as mere outrage against Israel signifies a troubling ignorance or, perhaps, a willful deception.
While governments can and do commit crimes, and military actions can transgress legal bounds, criticisms rooted in myths that have long justified anti-Jewish violence and expulsions move beyond respectable discussion.
Denouncing these sentiments doesn’t stifle debate; rather, it unveils an intention to belittle and alienate Jews. We cannot stand by as centuries of animosity are glossed over with trendy terminology while being shielded under the guise of “anti-Zionism.”
We should not excuse anti-Semitism through wordplay or claim a pass on accountability.
