Anti-Israel Media Coverage Fuels Rising Antisemitic Violence Through Modern Blood Libel
Source: David Frum. "The New Blood Libel - The Atlantic." May 21, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that irresponsible journalism about Israel, especially stories that echo old antisemitic myths, is directly contributing to a dangerous rise in violence against Jews. He uses a recent New York Times column as an example of how major news outlets are spreading unverified, inflammatory claims that make Jews targets for attack.
Conclusion
Inflammatory and poorly sourced anti-Israel journalism, exemplified by Nicholas Kristof's column alleging systematic Israeli sexual abuse, constitutes a modern form of blood libel that incites and justifies escalating antisemitic violence against Jews worldwide
Premises
- Antisemitic violence in Western countries is increasing in frequency and severity, with attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers
- Kristof's New York Times column relied on Hamas-linked sources and unverified claims, particularly the allegation that Israelis use dogs to rape Palestinian prisoners
- The dog rape allegation mirrors historical antisemitic blood libel accusations that portray Jews as uniquely cunning and disgusting
- Major Western media outlets have abandoned journalistic objectivity regarding Israel, reporting anti-Israel claims credulously while downplaying Hamas crimes
- The New York Times applied different editorial standards to Kristof's column than to other controversial pieces, showing inconsistent concern for potential violence
- Anti-Zionist rhetoric frequently crosses into antisemitic territory, with protesters depicting Israeli leaders as Christ's betrayer and engaging in ritual murder imagery
Assumptions
- There is a direct causal relationship between inflammatory media coverage and antisemitic violence
- Historical antisemitic tropes like blood libel remain psychologically powerful in modern contexts
- Media outlets have a responsibility to consider the potential violent consequences of their reporting
- Anti-Zionism and antisemitism are often indistinguishable in practice
- The New York Times' editorial decisions reflect broader Western media bias against Israel