How sensational allegations against Israel echo older patterns of anti-Jewish conspiracy and collective demonization.

For centuries, anti-Jewish prejudice has often relied on extraordinary allegations—stories so shocking that they bypass skepticism and appeal directly to emotion. Medieval Europe produced some of the most infamous examples. Jews were accused of poisoning wells, desecrating sacred objects, and murdering Christian children for ritual purposes. These claims were not supported by evidence, yet they spread widely, fueling discrimination, expulsions, and violence.

In the modern era, such narratives have not disappeared. They have evolved. The language has changed, the political context is different, and the targets are often no longer individual Jews but the Jewish state. Yet the underlying dynamic remains recognizable: sensational accusations are embraced not because they are proven, but because they reinforce pre-existing assumptions about Jewish malevolence or Israeli criminality.

A recent example illustrates the phenomenon. In May 2026, activists in London staged a demonstration depicting Israeli soldiers allegedly using dogs to sexually assault Palestinians. The performance drew attention because it dramatized an allegation that had circulated online for several years before entering mainstream discussion through commentary in prominent media outlets.

The allegation itself is extraordinary. It claims that Israeli personnel trained dogs to commit acts of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. Such a........

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