WASHINGTON โ Yuval David, a fellow at the Middle East Forum, has issued a public statement condemning conspiracy narratives circulating online about Jewish communities, warning that such rhetoric risks fueling antisemitism at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions connected to the conflict involving Iran.
Davidโs remarks came in response to commentary by media personalities Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. The statements referenced by David were circulated on social media during the ongoing military confrontation involving Israel and Iran.
According to David, the claims being promoted repeat longstanding conspiracy theories historically used to target Jewish communities.
โTucker Carlson and Candace Owens are not exposing anything about Chabad,โ David said in a statement. โThey are recycling some of the oldest antisemitic conspiracy theories in history.โ
David said the accusations circulating online portray Jewish communities as exercising hidden influence and secret control. Such narratives have appeared repeatedly in antisemitic propaganda across different historical periods.
Chabad is a global Jewish religious and humanitarian network that operates thousands of community institutions worldwide. The organization maintains synagogues, educational programs, community centers, and social service initiatives.
Chabad centers operate in more than 100 countries and often provide Jewish travelers with religious services and kosher food. In many remote locations, Chabad facilities are the only source of Jewish religious resources available.
David said portraying Chabad or other Jewish organizations as part of a hidden power structure is a form of libel against Jewish communities.
โChabad is a global Jewish humanitarian and religious network operating in more than 100 countries,โ David said. โIt runs community centers, synagogues, schools, and aid programs that serve communities around the world.โ
He added that many of the conspiracy claims circulating online misrepresent ordinary religious and community activity as evidence of political or financial influence.
Scholars of antisemitism have long documented how conspiracy narratives about Jewish power or secret control have played a role in inciting hostility against Jewish communities. Such claims historically appeared in propaganda texts such as the fabricated โProtocols of the Elders of Zionโ and other materials widely used by extremist movements.
David warned that the reappearance of these narratives in modern political discourse can contribute to real-world threats against Jews.
โAttacking Jews with conspiracy theories about hidden power is a false libel against Jews across the world,โ David said. โIt fuels antisemitism and invites real-world violence.โ
The warning comes during a period of increased antisemitic incidents in several countries since the start of the war involving Israel and Iran and other regional actors.
Jewish community organizations in the United States and Europe have reported rising threats, vandalism, and harassment targeting synagogues, schools, and Jewish institutions. Security analysts say that misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric circulating online can heighten tensions.
David said addressing antisemitism requires consistency across political movements.
โConservative circles must have the same moral clarity that liberals demand when confronting antisemitism on the far left,โ he said.
He added that antisemitism should be challenged regardless of where it appears politically.
โJust as radical anti-Israel extremists must be pushed out of liberal spaces, figures spreading antisemitic conspiracies must be pushed out of conservative ones,โ David said.
Experts who study online misinformation say conspiracy narratives often spread quickly through social media platforms, particularly during periods of international conflict when public attention is focused on geopolitical events.
The Middle East Forum is a policy research organization based in the United States that focuses on Middle Eastern affairs and regional security issues.
Davidโs statement reflects growing concern among Jewish advocacy organizations that conspiracy narratives targeting Jewish communities are reappearing across different political environments.
Community leaders have repeatedly warned that antisemitism can emerge from both ideological extremes and that confronting it requires clear condemnation from public figures and media platforms.
Security analysts note that misinformation campaigns can intensify social divisions during international crises. As conflicts in the Middle East continue to dominate global headlines, Jewish organizations say responsible public discourse is essential to prevent the spread of false narratives that could endanger communities.
David concluded his statement by emphasizing the need for accountability when antisemitic claims are circulated in public debate.
โWhen conspiracy theories about Jews are promoted, they must be challenged clearly and directly,โ he said. โFailure to do so only allows dangerous ideas to spread further.โ
