The Jewish people are not strangers to conspiracy theories. Among other propaganda, the Nazis distributed The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a book that sought to “document the elders’ secret plans to control world politics, the economy, financial markets, media, education, and other parts of society.” Propaganda like this allowed for the murder of 6 million Jews. Earlier blood libels in the Middle Ages accused Jews of using Christian babies’ blood for Matzah. When a Christian baby, named Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, disappeared, these accusations caused a riot that slaughtered 19 Jews. The core mechanism of the Jewish conspiracy theory – accusing Jews of malign, secret control – has solidified as a recurring trope in current political debate.
Zoharan Mamdani, the now NYC Mayor, recently declared, “When the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it has been laced by the IDF.” While this level of outward antisemitism brings us back to the Middle Ages, the sheer absurdity of the claims is comical.
Just as Jews control the weather, they also control animals. In 2013, a bird with an Israeli research leg band was shot down in Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah’s TV channel, Al-Manar, to remind viewers that “Israel has used spy birds in the past.” This makes sense. Naturally, one of the most renowned and successful intelligence agencies would leave a tag on their spy. I am sure Harriet Tubman wore a shirt identifying her as a member of the Underground Railroad, too. Perhaps more plausible was the theory that the Mossad unleashes deadly sharks in Egyptian waters. Though it may have sounded dramatic, South Sinai governor, Mohamed Abdul Fadil Shousha assured, “what is being said about the Mossad throwing the deadly shark [in the sea] to hit tourism in Egypt is not out of the question.” Maybe Steven Spielberg, the director of Jaws, corresponded with the Mossad to terrorize Egyptians.
In the past year, Jews have been accused of orchestrating the murder of Charlie Kirk. Obviously, Jews would be incentivized to kill one of Israel’s most outspoken activists. Shockingly, the 18,000 posts purporting these conspiracy theories are not just outspoken internet trolls, but also credentialed provocateurs.
Candace Owens implies the Jews’ culpability, claiming that “just within 48 hours before Charlie passed away, his top Jewish donors were pulling funding.” This really is a powerful theory; it successfully combines Jews’ abundant hunger for both blood and money.
Though the idea of an Israeli intelligence agency tagging a vulture or coordinating with a Hollywood director to unleash great white sharks may be darkly humorous, the consistent historical consequence is anything but. These far-fetched claims often incite violence and hate toward Jews. Baseless narratives directly contribute to a measurable spike in real-world anti-Semitic incidents, transforming hate into tangible threats. Mamdani is not the first conspiracy theorist, but rather the latest, in a line stretching back to the blood libels of the Middle Ages.
