In the aftermath of Hamas’s violent assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing conflict, global antisemitism surged dramatically. The Israeli Diaspora Office’s report revealed a 235% increase in antisemitic events in 2023 compared to 2022, with significant incidents reported in the U.S. and Europe. Notably, there was a 33% rise in violent antisemitic events, of which 48% were directly linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This highlights the severity of the issue, emphasizing the significant impact of the conflict on the increase in violent antisemitic incidents.
This study delves into the far-right’s exploitation of social media, examining the proliferation of antisemitic conspiracy theories and their transition from alternative to mainstream platforms. Three key themes are explored: the New World Order conspiracy, Holocaust and October 7th denial, and explicit or implicit calls for violence against Jewish people. The research underscores the dangerous nature of these conspiracy theories, particularly as they can incite real-world violence against targeted communities.
Recognizing the unique power of conspiracy theories to motivate action, the paper emphasizes the critical role of policymakers and law enforcement in monitoring and countering these narratives in the digital era.
