How the Epstein files are fueling antisemitic conspiracy theories

[reACTIONary]

WaPo, No Paywall: https://wapo.st/3OF4E8t

The scourge of rising antisemitism in recent years has found its latest manifestation in the government’s release of millions of files about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein....

The latest batch of files, released on Jan. 30, contains a great deal of interesting information. But in many quarters, careful weighing of evidence has given way to wild speculation and barely concealed expressions of animus. Denunciations of out-of-touch elites and the “money power” are a recurring feature of American politics. But in response to the Epstein files, antiestablishment voices have advanced the claim that Jewish networks and interests are corrupting American society.

In doing so, they have revived two ancient slanders against the Jewish people: the medieval blood libel, which states that Jews engage in ritual killings of children to advance their power; and the 1903 hoax “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” which asserts that Jews use blackmail to subvert democratic societies.

[rampartd]

1. epstein and the others may or may not be jewish

but i'm sure that is NOT why they are despicable people.

the israeli settlers may be jewish.

but i'm sure that is NOT why i think the palestinians should be treated humanely.

is antisemitism a problem? sure. but it is not the only problem.

there is also a strong current of anticatholicism in maga as well.

[RockCreek]

2. Note that Wash Post is now requiring you to give them your email when you access a "free" gift article.

These are the "large print" terms you agree to when providing your email.

"By selecting "Start reading," you agree to The Washington Post's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

The Washington Post may use my email address to provide me occasional special offers via email and through other platforms. I can opt out at any time.""

[reACTIONary]

3. As a note, this article...

.... Is interesting and provides examples of how raw, unmediated material like these files can be misused, especially by extremists with an agenda.

It is an opinion article, and I did note that that it ends with a plea for a strengthening of religious authority, which I believe to be wrong headed. The author is the editor of a opinion magazine, Compact, which seems to generally takes that stance. According to the wiki:

The magazine's online mission statement describes its political intentions:

Compact, an online magazine founded in 2022, seeks a new political center devoted to the common good. Believing that political forces, not economic ones, should determine our common life, we draw on the social-democratic tradition to argue for an order marked by authentic freedom, social stability, and shared prosperity. Though we have definite opinions, we proudly publish writers with whom we disagree.[5]

According to Danny Postel, writing in New Lines Magazine, its approach is a "'synthesis' of communitarian conservatism and social democracy"."

[Bok_Tukalo]

4. Washington Post ... too funny

Pass.

[reACTIONary]

5. No worries.....

... like so many WaPo articles, it will eventually show up in Raw Story.

[usonian]

6. fueling antisemitic conspiracy theories

With morans, if a coin lands on either heads or tails, it's an antisemitic conspiracy theory.

They pass if the coin lands on its edge.