(Jewish Group) Antisemitism is at its core a conspiracy theory

Antisemitism is at its core a conspiracy theory. It is based in the irrational belief that “the Jews”, a numerically tiny and historically marginalised ethnic and religious group, have been conspiring to cause harm to others, undermining and manipulating, for their own nefarious purposes. It is not what Jews do or not do, but what antisemites ascribe to Jews.

The deluded imaginings of antisemites are beyond reason and know no bounds. It is about mythological Jews rather than real Jews. Antisemitism is premised on two myths: that “the Jews” are innately evil and immensely powerful. Most of the predominant and deadly myths about Jews involve conspiracy theories – the belief that Jews, more commonly expressed as “the Jews”, conspire to harm others.

The accusation that “the Jews” are “Christ-killers”, cemented into Christian theology by St John Chrysostom from 386 CE, is based on two ideas: that as “Christ-killers”, the Jews were both intrinsically evil and absolutely powerful, to be not only willing, but able, to kill the Christian deity. This became the seed-bed of anti-Jewish accusations and conspiracy theories about Jews down through the centuries. It took hold and developed deep roots in the psyche of European Christians.

The Blood Libel accusation arose in the Middle Ages, in 1144. It was believed that Jews killed Christian children and used their blood in the making of matzah, the special bread eaten during Passover. The myth was spread from pulpit and market. Some popes tried to denounce it as the lie it was. Jewish law and practice forbade the consumption of any blood, even a speck of blood in an egg rendered the egg ineligible for consumption. And yet, millions of European Christians believed the lie, and acted on it – by murdering Jews.

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