Irina Tsukerman on Bizarro Antisemitism

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/05/06

Irina Tsukerman, a New York-based human rights and national security attorney, examines how age-old antisemitic tropes are repurposed into modern conspiracy theories, blending medieval myths with contemporary fears of technology and global control. She discusses a range of absurd claims—from the notion of “Jewish space lasers” allegedly used to trigger wildfires to theories that the Rothschild family secretly owns the moon or that Jewish elites control the Internet, AI, and even reincarnation to maintain eternal power. These narratives explain, recycle and distort historical conspiracies, such as the blood libel and secret societies like the Illuminati and Freemasons, repackaging them with sci-fi elements like reptilian shapeshifters and occult mysteries. The speakers note that such theories rely on psychological projection—a tactic historically employed by Soviet and Nazi regimes to deflect blame—and have been amplified by social media and state-sponsored disinformation. They also highlight how far-right Christian and New Age conspiracies merge religious eschatology with pseudoscience to depict Jews as malevolent orchestrators of global events despite overwhelming evidence that modern technologies, including cryptocurrencies and blockchain, are decentralized and untraceable. While acknowledging the inherent absurdity and lack of evidence in these claims, Jacobsen and Tsukerman stress that the normalization of such narratives is dangerous because it fuels hatred radicalizes vulnerable individuals and undermines genuine public discourse. Ultimately, they warn that repackaged antisemitic myths not only distort Jewish identity and history but also contribute to a polarized society prone to real-world violence and systemic discrimination.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Irina Tsukerman is a New York-based human rights and national security attorney specializing in international law, media strategy, and information warfare. She is the editor-in-chief of The Washington Outsider, providing insights on global affairs and advocating for human rights. Her expertise spans the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. She is also a board member of the Washington Outsider Center for Information Warfare, which aims to educate the public about information warfare and build resilience against foreign malign influence.

As you may recall, there’s a comedian and comedic actor named Mike Myers who had a series of movies called Austin Powers, featuring the character Austin Danger Powers. His nemesis in the movie was Dr. Evil, who wanted sharks with laser beams on their heads. Eventually, this was going to lead to a space laser. A common trope in some conspiracy theories about Jewish people involves space lasers and so on. But how did this even become a theory?

Irina Tsukerman: The phrase “Jewish space lasers” was popularized in 2021 due to a widely criticized social media post by U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who suggested that wildfires in California were started by a space-based laser linked to Jewish banking interests. However, humorous references to space lasers existed before, with figures like Mel Brooks using exaggerated science-fiction tropes in comedy. The idea always meant satire, but some people clearly don’t understand the difference between humour, satire, parody, and reality.

Jacobsen: Now, let’s see. What about cases we haven’t discussed? This is funny. This is a much deeper well than I ever thought. How about intra-ethnic feuding? Some Sephardim are prejudiced toward Ashkenazim, some Ashkenazim are prejudiced toward Mizrahim, and so on.

Does that happen? What issues are brought up?

Tsukerman: There are many different issues. First of all, there are religious divides between super-secular, Reconstructionist, or Reform Jews and more religious elements, such as Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox communities. People on opposite ends of the religious spectrum sometimes look down on each other.

There is also an attitude where anyone more religious than me is a fanatic, and anyone less religious than me is an apostate or heretic. This dynamic is not unique to Judaism, but it does exist.

Another issue is that, yes, there have been prejudices and ethnocentric attitudes among different Jewish communities. There isn’t a broad standoff between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. Still, historically, in places where Ashkenazim have been the majority, they have sometimes viewed their traditions as normative. At the same time, those of Sephardim and Mizrahim have been marginalized.

For example, during the Holocaust, Greek, Romaniote, and Sephardic Jews were deported to Nazi concentration camps. Some Ashkenazi Jews initially did not recognize them as Jewish because they did not speak Yiddish and had different cultural practices.

Similarly, in Israel’s early years, Ashkenazi Jews, particularly those from socialist backgrounds in Eastern Europe, dominated the government and institutions, leading to systemic discrimination against Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in areas such as housing, education, and employment. Over time, these divisions have diminished, but tensions and disparities still exist in some aspects of society.

And when waves of Sephardic Jews from the Arab world and other regions arrived, they were often sent to peripheral towns that were underdeveloped or placed in poorly equipped refugee camps until those towns were built. They were treated as second-class citizens due to prevalent racism and cultural chauvinism.

Many Moroccan Jews who immigrated were highly educated and cultured, and they took offence to this treatment because they did not consider themselves any less educated than the European Jews. It became a cultural clash. Unfortunately, many Western and Eastern European Jews absorbed the stereotypes that were already prevalent in their respective societies. This dynamic was less about Jewish identity and the cultural environments in which these groups had been raised.

First, anyone who is different is often viewed through the lens of cultural otherness. The Sephardic Jews, for instance, did not particularly care for Ashkenazi food. There was a reason for this—much of Ashkenazi cuisine developed in impoverished areas where Jews were forced to live in ghettos and the Pale of Settlement, making do with whatever scraps were available. In contrast, many Sephardic Jews lived in elite societies and developed sophisticated culinary traditions.

This resulted in a reverse cultural standoff, some of which persists today, though to a much lesser extent. Israel has become significantly more integrated. Sephardic culture has gained mainstream acceptance and is now considered fashionable. Many modern social trends, particularly those influenced by intersectionality, have embraced elements of Sephardic identity.

Cultural breakthroughs have helped dismantle many of these barriers, but there was also a history of cultural isolation. For instance, Syrian Jews traditionally refused to marry outside their community and often did not accept converts to Judaism despite Jewish law prohibiting discrimination against converts. In some cases, they would even avoid marrying fellow Syrian Jews if they were from a different city. This intense insularity shaped marital and social trends.

However, that did not mean they were completely isolated. They conducted business with Jews from other backgrounds and with non-Jews throughout history. Still, these social divisions had lasting effects on relationships and integration.

Many of these cultural divisions have existed, and some still persist. There are remnants of Ashkenazi dominance in certain Jewish organizations and parts of Israeli society and infrastructure. However, with increased cultural fusion and integration, these divisions have significantly lessened over time. More Jews are migrating between the U.S. and Israel, further blending traditions and identities.

As Jews are now living together in shared spaces, they are naturally adapting and mixing. In Israel, they serve together in the military, work side by side, and intermarry more frequently. They are learning from each other’s cultures, sometimes in creative ways, while also striving to preserve their unique traditions.

Many of these historical tensions are fading. While efforts are still needed to overcome them fully, the situation has improved considerably.

Jacobsen: What about intersectionality? This is typically a concept based on feminist analysis and theorization. That framework is used to identify cross-points between two or more social identities or forms of oppression.

So, what about cases where the issue is not intra-ethnic but rather related to feminist or so-called woke movements? In some instances, these movements propose something that appears benevolent but, in practice, leads to regressive and even antisemitic outcomes.

Tsukerman: Essentially, the intersectional Jewish feminist movement was quite prominent toward the end of the 20th century. However, with the rise of the BDS movement and the resurgence of anti-Israel and anti-Zionist narratives in academia, the movement’s trajectory changed. Whatever its original intent, the movement, in its final iteration, became structured around a hierarchy of victimhood.

Within this structure, Jewish and pro-Israel participants—regardless of their feminist identities or other affiliations—found themselves at the bottom of the hierarchy. Many Jewish feminists were frozen out of the movement, ignored, or dismissed—particularly in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. At that moment, many felt deeply dehumanized by their peers, who refused to condemn the mass rapes, massacres, abductions, and torture that had occurred.

The justification given was that the victims were Israeli women. Some activists viewed their suffering as secondary due to their opposition to the Israeli government or because they had come to accept the narrative that Israel is an apartheid state. But even if that were true, does that justify dehumanizing innocent civilians? Even if one assumes that the Israeli government is authoritarian, would the same logic apply to victims of sexual violence or murder in China, Iran, or Russia? Would people refuse to have compassion for them simply because they lived under an oppressive regime?

This attitude created a deep rift within the movement. The Jewish women who remained within the intersectional feminist structure had to suppress their Jewish identity—and certainly any pro-Israel views—to stay accepted. Others either formed their separate movements, which were more inclusive of Jewish identity, or abandoned intersectionality altogether to focus on their identity as Jewish women or pro-Israel advocates rather than feminists.

The mainstream of these intersectional feminist movements failed to step up when it mattered most. I’m not sure what the future holds for these movements. Still, unless they critically examine how political biases and stereotypes have overtaken their original mission of empowering women, they cannot remain successful. If they do not give voice to victims of international terrorism, authoritarianism, and patriarchy—regardless of nationality—their credibility is at risk.

Jacobsen: The rise of antisemitism in Canada is evident in the hate crime statistics. If you look at the data from Statistics Canada, it is clear. Among reported and verified hate crimes, the three most common are antisemitic, anti-Catholic, and anti-Muslim incidents. However, by far, the number one category—without comparison—is antisemitic hate crime. Atheists and secular types seem to take it on a chin or don’t have a report category.

In the United States, I assume the situation is similar. As far as I know, antisemitism is also rising in other countries. In some places, it remains at persistently high levels. What is your take on this? 

Tsukerman: In some European countries, antisemitism has been a longstanding issue due to poor social integration. However, the contributing factors in the United States are slightly different, and multiple elements have fueled the increase.

I’ve mentioned some of them, such as the amplification of conspiracy theories through social media and the role of foreign state influence. Another factor is the rise of discourse theory and extreme identity politics, which began in academia with the oppressor-oppressed framework and has since permeated soft power institutions, shaping media coverage, educational policies, and public discourse.

You also have embedded organizations, such as CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) and others, that have shifted their messaging to push narratives that include antisemitic elements. Even within governance, you see this influence—for example, the California ethnic studies curriculum, which was put on pause due to lawsuits over its antisemitic content.

Foreign state funding has also played a role in public K-12 education, not just in higher academia. For instance, Qatar has been involved in spreading educational materials in American public schools that exclude Israel from maps, essentially erasing its existence.

Another issue is that many teachers are either not well-educated on these topics or are hesitant to take clear positions for fear of jeopardizing their careers. This has allowed antisemitic narratives to spread through teachers’ unions, administrators, and within the broader education system. Many educators have been miseducated with the same extreme oppressor-oppressed ideology, which has taken precedence over critical thinking, rigorous academic pedagogy, and balanced historical perspectives.

The combination of all these factors has created an institutional foundation for antisemitism to persist and spread. People who are less educated and more inclined toward conspiracy theories tend to embrace antisemitic stereotypes as an anti-establishment stance. Meanwhile, those who align more with institutional authority often adopt these same stereotypes because they are reinforced by the authoritative sources they trust.

Because they tend not to question authority, both sides—those who trust establishment narratives and those who rely on alternative sources—often adopt positions they might not have reached independently. Instead, they accept what someone they view as an authority tells them, even if that authority is not part of the traditional establishment.

This ultimately results in a deterioration of critical thinking, humanistic values, and individual agency. Instead of judging people as individuals, there is an increasing tendency to generalize entire groups.

There is also a growing stigma surrounding the exploitation of political conflicts—such as those between Israel and Hamas—when these conflicts are imported into the United States and other Western societies. These tensions are being fought on local grounds, and Jewish and pro-Jewish students are often less prepared to respond. In contrast, antisemitic groups tend to be better organized.

This disparity in preparedness includes differences in emotional resilience, resources, organizational structure, and willingness to challenge the status quo without fear of consequences, such as expulsion, career setbacks, or legal repercussions. There is also a significant attitude gap between these groups.

Another issue is the false dichotomy that one must be either pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian. The pro-Palestinian position is often framed as aligned with governance and mainstream culture rather than as a general wish for peaceful coexistence. This framing ignores the possibility that addressing the extreme levels of aggression in society might require dismantling certain political structures that perpetuate conflict.

The complexity of the discourse has been lost due to a broader trend toward oversimplification, not just on this issue but in political discussions overall. People are increasingly forced into rigid ideological categories—socially, politically, religiously, and ethnically—without room for nuance.

What about people from multi-religious households? What about those who practice multiple philosophies or are multi-ethnic and have diverse backgrounds? What about individuals who reject such categorizations entirely? Even they are forced into binary ideological positions because of extreme polarization.

Despite the clear increase in antisemitic incidents, there remains a tendency not to take antisemitism seriously. Some groups actively downplay its significance, arguing that Jews are exaggerating the issue. Others attempt to minimize Holocaust denial or dismiss extreme levels of antisemitism as something other than antisemitism itself.

There are also divisions within Jewish communities regarding how to address antisemitism. Some groups ignore antisemitism when it comes from political factions they support, creating a politically polarized and fragmented approach to recognizing and combating it.

This polarization undermines efforts to form a unified stance on what antisemitism is, how to recognize it, and how to respond.

Additionally, there is a tendency—driven by political correctness and the assumption that Jewish communities are generally law-abiding and non-disruptive—not to prioritize antisemitism as a serious issue. Since Jews are less likely to engage in violent protests or disruptive actions against authorities or other social groups, there is often less pressure on institutions to address their concerns.

Meanwhile, if antisemitic groups act aggressively, there is a widespread reluctance to confront them. No one wants to take the risk of pushing back against these movements’ more radical and confrontational elements.

There is a tendency to overlook the Jewish community because, ultimately, what are they going to do about it? They might go to their representatives in Congress and lobby, hold a peaceful demonstration, or write about it in a newspaper. But they are not going to break windows, fight with the police, or engage in violent protests.

This perception of Jews as a law-abiding community is, paradoxically, doing them a disservice. It leads to them being taken less seriously, and, in some cases, it creates an impetus to put more pressure on the more reasonable side.

That is yet another factor at play. Still, another issue is that society does not know how to handle antisemites once they have reached their peak influence. People struggle to differentiate between freedom of speech as an individual right and the issue of providing platforms for hate speech.

There has been an intense internal political debate over when to de-platform individuals and when to allow them space to speak. Many are ill-prepared to engage in fact-based debates on these topics. Instead, public discourse has become more emotionally driven, with people favouring arguments that align with their preconceived beliefs rather than engaging with logic, evidence, and reasoned discussion.

This has also resulted in antisemitic figures being given a pass if they seem reasonable or correct on unrelated issues. For instance, figures like Tucker Carlson have been excused in broader political discourse because they presented what some perceived as a constructive framework on certain topics. As a result, they were able to push antisemitic narratives further, testing boundaries and growing bolder in their rhetoric. The less pushback they received, the more brazen their antisemitic and other bigoted statements became.

That is another contributing factor. We can also discuss figures like Candace Owens and the bizarre conspiracy theories she has been promoting, which go far beyond typical antisemitic narratives. She has been pushing ideas related to Frankism, a historical religious movement associated with Jacob Frank.

Jacob Frank was a Jewish mystic and self-proclaimed messianic figure who led a controversial sect that rejected traditional Judaism in favour of radical theological and social ideas. His movement, known as Frankism, was marked by antinomian beliefs, secrecy, and conversions to Christianity.

Some fringe conspiracy theories attempt to link modern political figures to Frankism, promoting the idea that secretive and subversive elites are wielding hidden influence over global affairs. These theories play into longstanding antisemitic tropes about dual loyalties and fifth-columnist infiltration.

Frankism is frequently invoked in conspiratorial narratives claiming that secret elites manipulate politics. It aligns closely with a hardcore populist vision embraced by the far right. These theories are often tied to Illuminati-style claims, suggesting that hidden Jewish elites are orchestrating global power struggles.

This is similar to QAnon but less focused on accusations of sex crimes and more centred on the idea of a covert globalist Jewish elite engaging in deception. Figures like Candace Owens and other far-right conspiracy theorists have deliberately misused Frankism to push baseless claims about a supposed Jewish-controlled world order. There is absolutely no foundation for these theories, yet they continue to be amplified in far-right circles.

The idea of globalist Jewish elites and Jews as globalists or ruthless cosmopolitans has a clear historical lineage. You can trace a neo-Marxist link here because the Soviet Union used to label certain Jews as rootless cosmopolitans—a term used to justify antisemitic purges. Today, that rhetoric has evolved, with cosmopolitans and globalists used as veiled pejoratives.

We have seen this narrative persist for years, even being embraced by some right-wing Jews who attempt to align with these movements by focusing solely on the economic aspects of globalism. However, history has shown that no matter how much they try to fit in, this rhetoric inevitably turns against them. The broader and more far-reaching application of this idea now means that anyone with a particular set of ideas—especially those advocating for international cooperation or liberal democracy—can be accused of globalism.

This Jewish aspect plays into it in a deeply antisemitic way. For example, Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation, which was once associated with Reaganism but is now aligned with Viktor Orbán, the New Institute, and Russian nationalist ideology, has demonstrated this dynamic.

At one point, Roberts attacked someone simply for mentioning Leo Strauss, a conservative Jewish thinker, dismissing him as a neocon and globalist. It was a visceral reaction rather than a substantive political disagreement. The association of certain Jewish intellectuals with globalism is not based on ideological critique but rather on a deeply ingrained antisemitic reflex.

This kind of rhetoric is far-fetched and transparently antisemitic, as the discussion itself had nothing to do with globalism or neoconservatism. Yet, the perception that many Jews are Democrats and part of elite institutions has fueled these stereotypes and will likely continue to do so.

Jacobsen: A lot of these conversations—especially ones involving figures like Candace Owens—whether or not they are deliberate in intent, function to expand the Overton window for antisemitic discourse. The details of what they bring up may not even be coherent or historically accurate, but they serve to normalize these narratives.

If there is any conscious ideological push, this seems to be its main effect: shifting what is acceptable to say in public discourse. That is probably the most dangerous aspect of the increasing use of antisemitic language and ideas in mainstream discussions.

What about left-wing versions of religious antisemitism?

We often see Jesus portrayed in Western media as a blond-haired, blue-eyed man of European descent—almost as if he were from Mississippi or the American Midwest. This version of Jesus is so ingrained in certain Christian communities that it has led to humorous memes, where people mistakenly put up images of Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars as depictions of Jesus.

However, beyond this, there are sectarian religious movements, particularly within certain African American religious groups and other identity-based theologies, that promote the idea of a Black Jesus. There is also a broader, more problematic trend where some left-wing religious movements deny that Jesus was Jewish at all.

What do you make of these left-wing religious narratives and their versions of antisemitism, particularly those that attempt to erase Jesus’ Jewish identity?

Tsukerman: First of all, the idea that Jesus was anything other than a Jewish individual living in that historical time frame is outright false. While accounts differ regarding what happened next, there is no serious academic dispute about his Jewish identity. The fact that some people feel the need to assign Jesus a specific ethnic or racial identity beyond that is troubling. If you are a Christian, then Jesus’ ethnicity should not be of primary concern, as Christianity is centred on his teachings rather than his background. If you are an academic scholar, you should acknowledge historical realities rather than attempt to reshape them for ideological reasons.

Even more concerning is the recent push to identify Jesus as a so-called “Palestinian,” a term he would never have used to describe himself. The Romans, who imposed the name Palestina on the region, were colonizers. Modern post-colonial movements should recognize this fact and, if they are consistent in their principles, should not be aligned with the terminology of the Roman colonial framework. Instead, they should acknowledge that the people living in that region at the time—including Jesus—identified as Israelites or Judeans, not Palestinians. They certainly did not call themselves Romans, as they lived under Roman rule as second-class citizens, at best, without full rights.

The historical use of the term “Palestinian” evolved much later. When it first became commonly used under the British Mandate, it was a descriptor for Jews living in the region before the establishment of Israel. The Arabs of the time did not identify as Palestinians; they referred to themselves based on their tribal names and Arab ancestry. It was not until the 1960s, when the Soviet Union played a role in fostering a national movement, that the term “Palestinian” began to be widely used as an Arab national identity. This anachronistic historical revisionism is ideological in nature, serving to erase Jewish historical identity, delegitimize Jewish ties to the land, and reframe religious narratives through a contemporary political lens.

This type of historical distortion is deeply troubling because it not only denies Jewish history but also introduces an unnecessary and divisive political element into religion. Religion is meant to unify people, promote healing, and provide a framework for coexistence. It is not supposed to be used to manufacture ethnic or religious division. When religion becomes a battleground for power struggles, it ceases to function as a religious institution and instead becomes a political tool. This is not a religious issue—it is a manipulation of history to serve a political agenda. What we see now has nothing to do with Christianity, Jesus, or genuine religious beliefs. It is an effort to impose contemporary political ideologies onto historical narratives to fit a specific agenda.

This approach closely resembles the KGB’s tactics in Soviet Russia, where they sought to infiltrate and manipulate the Russian Orthodox Church, turning it into a state-controlled ideological entity rather than an independent religious institution. Instead of adhering to its spiritual traditions, the Church under Soviet control became an instrument of official narratives. Similarly, what we are witnessing today is an attempt to redefine religious history—not to promote faith but to weaponize it for political purposes.

Jacobsen: We previously touched on woke ideology and its antisemitic elements. This is one of those complex issues where progressivism sometimes overlaps with conservative or centrist positions in certain evidence-based areas. However, it takes on a different nature when it abandons evidence and becomes purely ideological. It warrants a distinct title that separates it from its original intent. In this case, woke antisemitism falls into that category.

Where do you think the overstretch occurs beyond what we have already discussed regarding left-wing religious antisemitism, historical revisionism, and religious narrative distortion? Specifically, how do you see the intersectional framework—originally developed in feminist analysis—used as a tool for this kind of ideological expansion?

Tsukerman: I would call it regressive liberalism rather than progressivism. It is regressive in the sense that it returns to tribalist politics, and it is illiberal because it fails to recognize individual rights, personal autonomy, and the moral agency of individuals. Instead of acknowledging that every person has their capacity for reason, conscience, and human rights—whether understood as natural rights or, for the religious, as divinely endowed—it judges people solely based on group identity.

That is not to say that group identity cannot be an influencing factor in one’s worldview or experiences, but people still have the ability to make their own moral choices. The core values of the Enlightenment and the classical liberal tradition are the capacity for moral reasoning and individual responsibility. This principle is not merely a product of modernity—it can be traced back to Aristotle, who emphasized character over status despite living in a different historical context. If you look at his Nicomachean Ethics, particularly his treatise on friendship, he argued that true friendship is defined by virtue and character rather than by social position or external circumstances. That was an extraordinary idea in his time and remains fundamental today.

Similarly, in religious traditions, moral choice is considered one of the few things human beings have control over. Everything else—circumstances, fate, divine will—may be outside of our control, but moral autonomy is central to human dignity. Identity politics, in contrast, undermines this principle by reducing individuals to the circumstances of their birth rather than recognizing their ability to rise above them. Psychological factors, mental health, and environmental challenges can influence moral choices. Still, they are ultimately the defining aspect of a person’s character.

When society shifts away from moral autonomy and instead judges people based on external categories—whether race, gender, ethnicity, or class—it erodes the very foundation of justice and individual dignity. Instead of allowing people to define themselves through their actions and values, identity politics forces them into predefined boxes, stripping them of the capacity for individual moral accountability. Unless we focus on a person’s choices rather than external attributes, we lose sight of what it means to be human.

Jacobsen: What about sociocultural and psychological antisemitism? Sociocultural antisemitism is somewhat more obvious—it manifests within governance systems, cultural norms, or ethnic groups that adhere to ideological frameworks that contain antipathy toward Jewish people. These systems may institutionalize antisemitism in policies, education, or legal structures, making it a deeply ingrained societal problem.

However, psychological antisemitism is a bit trickier to analyze. What do you make of the psychology of an antisemitic individual? You referenced earlier how difficult it is to know what to do with someone who has already adopted antisemitic beliefs, particularly when those beliefs have become deeply embedded in their worldview. Is there a way to truly deradicalize such individuals?

When I spoke with a counter-extremism and counter-terrorism expert who worked for CSIS (Canada’s intelligence agency) for 30 years, he was quite cynical about the prospect of fully rehabilitating former extremists. He expressed skepticism toward those who go on public speaking tours as reformed extremists, questioning whether any of them have truly abandoned their ideologies or if they change the way they present their beliefs.

Suppose antisemitism operates under a similar psychological framework as religious or political extremism. In that case, those who embrace it may never fully lose it. They might suppress it under social pressure or shift its form, but the underlying mentality could remain intact. What are your thoughts on whether antisemitism, once deeply ingrained, can ever be completely unlearned?

Tsukerman: I will start with the first element—sociocultural antisemitism—because culture plays a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes. Culture is more than just food, language, or identity; it influences social norms, governance, and how people perceive others. To take an extreme example, consider Gaza and the deep-rooted antisemitism that has developed over the decades. The issue is not whether every individual there supports Hamas—many people in Gaza disagree with Hamas, viewing it as corrupt and responsible for their suffering. However, this does not negate the fact that antisemitism has been systematically ingrained into the society. For decades, through media, education, and political propaganda, an ideology has been cultivated that promotes not just anti-Israel sentiment but outright hatred of Jews.

This indoctrination begins at a young age, with children being raised to view Jews not as individuals but as enemies. This kind of conditioning creates a deeply ingrained belief system that requires extensive and systematic effort to undo. It is not simply a matter of changing political leadership; it requires long-term psychological and cultural rehabilitation. We saw the effects of this indoctrination after October 7th, when masses of civilians voluntarily participated in attacks, following Hamas operatives into Israel and assisting in the abduction of civilians. Nobody forced them to do this, and they were not acting under direct coercion at that moment. Yet, they engaged in violence, cooperated with Hamas, and, in some cases, even took hostages into their own homes. Some went so far as to kill children from the Bibas family, demonstrating the extent of dehumanization that has taken hold.

Furthermore, when Israel issued reward offers for those willing to provide information on hostages or help them escape, not a single person came forward. This was shocking because even during Nazi Germany, there were non-Jewish civilians—righteous gentiles—who risked their lives to hide Jews or help them escape. Even in countries where collaborationism and antisemitism were widespread, individuals made moral choices to stand against injustice. Yet, in this case, there is no clear evidence that anyone in Gaza attempted to do the same. At best, some may not have directly participated in the violence, but they did not intervene. This reflects a severe moral breakdown—a level of societal dehumanization where war crimes and human rights abuses are not only normalized but celebrated. Such a collapse of basic human empathy indicates a deeply ingrained cultural problem that must be addressed for that society to function properly.

This leads directly to psychological antisemitism, which is even more difficult to counteract. Many individuals who harbour antisemitic beliefs may have never even met a Jewish person. They know they hate Jews, but they cannot articulate why. The hatred becomes instinctual, detached from reality, and embedded into their identity. At that point, it is no longer a rational belief but a deeply ingrained psychological disturbance. When an individual cannot separate their worldview from their hatred, they lose the ability to examine their own biases critically.

However, antisemitism does not always manifest in such extreme forms. Some individuals are simply ignorant—they have been fed misinformation or stereotypes without actively engaging in hateful behaviour. These people can sometimes be reached through education and exposure to accurate information. They may begin to question their biases if they encounter logical arguments or meet individuals who contradict their preconceived stereotypes. Over time, seeds of doubt can be planted, and they may shift their perspectives with the right exposure.

But once antisemitism reaches the level of fanaticism—when a person’s entire identity is built around that hatred—it becomes significantly harder to undo. If someone defines themselves primarily by their opposition to Jews, Israel, or Zionism, rational arguments alone may not be enough to break through that indoctrination. I cannot say such individuals can’t change; there are cases of people who have recognized the destructiveness of their beliefs and have worked to undo them. However, the deeper the indoctrination, the harder the path to deradicalization. It requires not just education but a fundamental transformation of worldview—something that many people may never fully achieve.

What would it take to undo antisemitic radicalization? I do not specialize in deradicalization, but it would require dismantling a person’s deeply ingrained identity—something that has likely been reinforced since childhood or embraced so fully later in life that it has become their primary lens for understanding the world. To truly reverse such an extreme worldview, the person would need to be psychologically broken down and forced to confront the realization that their foundational beliefs were entirely wrong. Only then could they rebuild their identity around something positive as a substitute. This kind of transformation is not merely an intellectual shift; it is a complete reorganization of mindset, especially when antisemitism has become a core part of someone’s identity.

There is, of course, a range of psychological engagement with antisemitism, just as there is with other belief systems. Someone who has been misinformed but has never internalized hatred may be able to change their perspective simply through education and exposure to different viewpoints. But someone whose entire identity is built on antisemitic ideology—whether due to upbringing or deliberate radicalization—requires a much deeper psychological shift. It is similar to mental health conditions: a person experiencing mild situational depression may recover with time and support, whereas someone with a clinically diagnosed condition may need intensive intervention. Similarly, some individuals may have been raised with the wrong ideas and never had proper exposure to alternative perspectives. In contrast, others have fully structured their identities around an antisemitic worldview. The latter group is far more difficult to reach and requires significant intervention to break down their ingrained biases.

Jacobsen: Soviet propaganda has been revised and rebranded over time. How has this happened in the current context? Was it done as a formal process, or has it evolved organically among ideological actors working in those spaces? How have narratives that closely mirror past Soviet propaganda emerged independently yet still align with the same conclusions and rhetoric?

Tsukerman: I would not say that these narratives emerged separately because Soviet intelligence agencies never truly disappeared, and neither did the tradition of information warfare they developed. Russian intelligence and propaganda operations have a five-hundred-year continuity, transitioning from the Tsarist era to the Soviet Union and now to contemporary Russian security agencies. Many of the narratives we see today are not new; they have been recycled, sometimes with slight modifications, but maintaining an unbroken ideological continuity.

A clear example of this rebranded propaganda is the blood libel, one of the oldest antisemitic conspiracies. In medieval times, the blood libel was the accusation that Jews kidnapped and murdered Christian children for occult rituals. While this idea had largely faded in Western societies, it resurfaced in the Middle East thanks to Soviet intervention. The Soviets deliberately spread these narratives as part of their broader effort to destabilize the region and turn Arab nations against Israel. The modern iteration of the blood libel takes many forms: false claims that Jews poison Palestinian wells, that they target children specifically for violence, or that they carry out hidden acts of mass murder. Some of these accusations have even included reports of dead children who later turn out to be alive, showing the sheer fabrication involved in these claims.

Another modern rebranding of this concept involves Ukraine. A widely circulated antisemitic conspiracy theory alleges that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, is actively destroying Christian Orthodox churches or establishing “fake” religious institutions. The implication is that he is doing so because he is not Christian. Therefore, as a Jew, he is inherently hostile to Christianity.

However, the reality is entirely different. The actual issue in Ukraine is that Russia has used the Russian Orthodox Church as an instrument of intelligence and political influence. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not recognize these Russian-controlled churches, which Russian intelligence agencies have long infiltrated. Many ethnic Russians living in Ukraine also do not recognize these institutions as legitimate. As a result, Ukrainian authorities have treated them not as religious institutions but as fronts for security operations.

Despite the real security concerns at play, the antisemitic component of this propaganda seeks to frame Zelensky as an outsider, an imposter at the helm of the country, working to erase Christian tradition and target Christians. This rhetoric echoes centuries-old antisemitic tropes, now repackaged to fit contemporary geopolitical narratives. What we are witnessing is not new antisemitism but rather a continuous, evolving cycle of old conspiracy theories being adapted to new political contexts.

Tucker Carlson was one of the prominent figures amplifying these narratives using his large media platforms. His ability to inject these conspiratorial and antisemitic tropes into mainstream discourse has played a key role in their continued spread.

Jacobsen: Okay, so aside from one of the oldest and strangest antisemitic myths—the blood libel and ritual sacrifice—there’s also the claim that these ideas have somehow been linked to modern organ trafficking and underground cabals. It feels like stepping into a conversation that suddenly shifts into discussing realms, as if we’ve left reality and entered the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s a strange thing. It’s so completely abnormal.

These theories exist in extremely closed-off informational bubbles, where people consume and reinforce the same extreme ideas. To fully buy into them, one has to be disconnected from reality and entrenched in these insulated ideological communities. One of the more bizarre ones you brought to my attention was about shapeshifting reptilian hybrids.

People have likely seen clips on conspiracy websites, particularly in the Alex Jones ecosystem or from David Icke himself. These clips often feature low-quality graphics where someone’s eyes momentarily appear reptilian—before returning to normal. It’s always minor, a digital artifact or a compression glitch, but the conspiratorial mindset takes it as proof. They look away, look back, and suddenly, Oh my God!—the person is back to normal.

But the deeper conspiracy, according to Icke and his followers, is that reptilian-human hybrids secretly control the world. In particular, conspiracists influenced by Icke claim that Jewish elites—most often the Rothschilds—are shapeshifting reptilian overlords. Their “evidence” includes completely mundane things, like someone licking their lips or blinking in a way they consider weird. Somehow, these minor actions become proof of an elaborate extraterrestrial conspiracy.

This theory merges elements of sci-fi, occultism, and classic antisemitic stereotypes, portraying Jews not just as scheming globalists but as literal non-human entities with supernatural abilities. It’s one of the strangest iterations of antisemitism—a tripartite fusion of xenophobia, fantasy, and age-old conspiracy theories.

This is different from traditional antisemitic tropes, like depicting Jews as money-hoarders as if dragons (à la Smaug) or using racist caricatures with exaggerated features like big noses and scheming hands. Instead, this version takes it even further, arguing that Jews are an entirely different species, controlling world events from the shadows.

What do you make of how David Icke’s ideas have been incorporated into these other conspiracy theories, creating this surreal blend of sci-fi occult antisemitism?

Tsukerman: The occult element in conspiracy theories is fascinating because it has been a recurring theme in both Soviet and early Russian propaganda, as well as in Nazi propaganda. Both ideologies had an unusual obsession with the occult. If you trace it back historically, during the Middle Ages, there was a widespread conspiracy theory that specifically accused Jews of being in league with the devil, practicing dark magic, and engaging in sinister rituals.

The blood libel was a major part of this, as demonic rituals were often believed to require blood sacrifices or the use of human blood to summon supernatural entities. While the premise is completely irrational, this madness has an internal logic. It builds on the portrayal of Jews as outsiders who do not fit into society but instead act as chameleons—blending in while secretly working toward global domination. This theme is closely tied to other so-called traditional antisemitic conspiracy theories, such as those about Jewish elites hoarding money and power.

Then there is the third element, which claims that Jews, particularly wealthy or influential ones, are shapeshifting—both metaphorically and literally. The metaphorical version argues that Jewish elites manipulate society by adapting to different roles and disguising their true intentions to deceive the public. The more extreme and bizarre version of this is the reptilian conspiracy theory, which has been folded into modern conspiratorial subcultures, particularly among followers of QAnon, pseudoscience, and conspiracy fiction. Some argue that David Icke’s reptilian theory was inherently antisemitic from the beginning, as it aligns with these older tropes about Jewish deception, global control, and non-human status.

You may have heard the common joke about Mark Zuckerberg being a lizard person. It became a meme, especially after his congressional hearings related to Meta and Facebook. I assumed it was just a joke about his somewhat robotic demeanour when I first heard it. But when I connected it back to Icke’s reptilian theory, I realized that these ideas had started infiltrating mainstream discourse. What began as a fringe, bizarre conspiracy theory started affecting certain individuals’ perceptions.

This phenomenon has gained a significant cult following. Many people are deeply engaged in these conspiracy circles—not just JFK conspiracy theorists but those involved in much weirder, more outlandish theories. The reptilian myth has influenced a wide range of online conspiracy subcultures, including QAnon and UFO enthusiasts. Interestingly, despite being commonly associated with those circles, QAnon is not strictly a right-wing movement—it has cross-sectional political appeal. Meanwhile, the UFO subculture has transformed from being a niche sci-fi fascination, once dismissed as nerds in their parent’s basements, into something the Pentagon and other government agencies have officially discussed over the past few years.

In the UK, an entire division is now focused on analyzing whether some of these claims have merit. This shift into official discussions has fueled more speculation. Intelligence agencies have conducted bizarre experiments in the past—take Project MKUltra in the 1960s, for example—and the Soviet Union had its equivalent programs. Many conspiracy theories today harken back to an anti-intelligence agency mindset, drawing from real historical operations while incorporating wildly exaggerated and fictional elements.

All of this ultimately ties back into the shapeshifting global elite myth. David Icke is not just seen as an eccentric conspiracy theorist making up bizarre stories for a living—many see him as a tool, possibly being used by foreign powers to push these narratives into mainstream discourse deliberately. Whether intentionally or not, his ideas have contributed to the spread of antisemitic, anti-establishment, and deeply conspiratorial thinking on a global scale.

There is strong evidence that conspiracy theories, particularly those with antisemitic undertones, have a high degree of acceptance in Russia. This is an important factor to consider because it ties into a broader history of racial and eugenics-based antisemitism that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, pseudoscientific racial theories falsely claimed that Jews had genetic traits that made them inherently deceptive or subversive. Nazi ideology took this to its extreme, using fabricated biological classifications to label Jews and other groups as genetically inferior, contributing directly to the Holocaust.

This same thread of pseudoscience has continued to evolve in modern conspiracy circles. One of the strange mutations of these theories involves the claim that Jewish elites are involved in genetic experiments aimed at altering human DNA. This is often linked to transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the biotech industry. It is also tied into anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, with accusations that Jewish scientists or financiers are manipulating human genetics for nefarious purposes. These ideas are completely unfounded but persist in various subcultures that view scientific advancement through a paranoid, conspiratorial lens.

And who frequently comes up in these transhumanist conspiracy theories? Elon Musk, alongside a few other high-profile tech billionaires. While I am not suggesting that Musk himself subscribes to QAnon, occult accusations, or theories about a so-called satanic cabal, there are certainly people within these ideological circles who try to connect him to these narratives. Different subcultures—ranging from QAnon supporters to transhumanist skeptics—intersect unexpectedly. The transhumanist billionaires and the QAnon crowd are not necessarily the same people, but their beliefs overlap in certain areas.

For instance, former General Mike Flynn, a prominent QAnon figure, is not a transhumanist. Still, he aligns closely with figures like Musk, Tucker Carlson, and current and former Trump officials. Despite their ideological differences, all of these conspiracy narratives seem to converge on antisemitic tropes, whether through overt accusations or more subtle dog whistles. Even when these theories have different angles—whether they focus on global finance, artificial intelligence, or biotech—they all somehow end up reinforcing the same core antisemitic narratives.

Jacobsen: Now, here is something I did not know before. The only time I have heard the term golem was in Star Trek: Picard, in one of the later seasons, maybe season two. In that storyline, Picard dies, but his consciousness is transferred into an artificial golem body, allowing him to live on despite his degenerative illness.

A conspiracy theory centred around the golem, twisting its origins in Jewish legend. In traditional Jewish folklore, a golem was a mystical creature made from clay to protect Jewish communities from danger. However, modern conspiracy theorists have warped this legend into something sinister, claiming that Jews possess the ability to create artificial, soulless beings that they use to control the masses.

What the hell is going on?

Tsukerman: This is yet another iteration of the same conspiratorial framework—one that takes elements of Jewish mysticism, particularly from Kabbalah, and weaponizes them against Jews. These conspiracies mix religious esotericism with occult paranoia, reinforcing the narrative that Jews are secretive manipulators of dark forces.

I am not going to comment on whether Kabbalah has any legitimacy as a mystical or spiritual tradition, but what is clear is that antisemitic conspiracy theorists have used it to fuel fears about hidden Jewish power. This is part of a broader historical pattern of distorting Jewish religious and cultural concepts to fit an antisemitic agenda.

At its core, this fearmongering is about othering—taking something poorly understood and turning it into a source of suspicion and paranoia. These conspiracies deny the moral foundations of Jewish traditions and instead try to project some form of Jewish supremacism onto them. The idea that Jews see themselves as a chosen people is deliberately twisted to suggest that they view non-Jews as inferior or disposable.

Ultimately, all of these narratives—from medieval blood libel myths to modern golem conspiracies—stem from the same fundamental antisemitic fear: the belief that Jews possess secret knowledge or power that they use to manipulate the world. It is the same myth, recycled repeatedly and adapted to different historical and cultural contexts.

There is an underlying oppressor-oppressed narrative woven through all of these conspiracy theories, but at this point, it is not necessarily confined to a left-wing ideological framework. It is a broader pattern of scaffolding—where an entire group is falsely vilified—because acknowledging that a group of people follows a moral tradition based on enlightened principles would undermine the dehumanization that fuels these conspiratorial movements.

This is not just a political issue but a deeply rooted ethical, moral, and philosophical struggle. The projection of Jews as demonic is not new; it is simply another way to carry out smear campaigns and character assassination against an entire people and their traditions. This narrative has morphed, adapting to different historical and cultural moments. Still, ultimately, it has always been about power.

One could argue that people who fall for these conspiracy theories have something inherently wrong with them—that they are mentally unstable or overly prone to fantastical thinking. But those who actively push these narratives into the mainstream are not deluded. They know exactly what they are doing. They deliberately inject these bizarre elements—references to dark forces, magic, demons, elite manipulation—because they are effective tools for fear-mongering. Their goal is to manipulate the uneducated masses, fueling paranoia to serve a larger ideological or political agenda.

Today, we still see people rejecting modern science in favour of pseudoscience. Some individuals, instead of seeking proper cancer treatment, turn to crystals and spiritual healing—not because they are enlightened, but because they lack a scientific education. Suppose people in the 21st century can still fall for such obvious misinformation. In that case, it is no surprise that they also fall for these mishmash conspiracy theories about Jewish control.

One of the strangest developments is how the golem—originally a protective figure in Jewish folklore—has been distorted in modern antisemitic narratives. In these conspiracy circles, the golem has been recast as a symbol of non-Jews—the so-called goyim nations—being manipulated by Jewish elites. Jews, according to this narrative, are shaping non-Jews into puppets and controlling them from behind the scenes. This theme connects back to classic antisemitic myths about Jews orchestrating global events, from the stock market crash to 9/11 to the Russian Revolution. It is just another repackaging of the same old accusation—that Jews secretly pull the strings of world affairs.

But here is where it takes an even more bizarre turn. The golem myth has now been linked to AI technology and media influence. Conspiracists claim that Jews are using machines and social structures as modern-day golems to control society. They link this to AI development, singularity, and transhumanism—specifically, implanting neural chips in human brains. The claim is that Jewish elites are leading these advancements as part of a grand plan to manipulate and dominate the world.

It is beyond absurd. But what makes it even more ironic is that many of the same people who accuse Jews of promoting transhumanist agendas are also the ones actively participating in those same movements. The biggest globalists—the tech billionaires pushing transhumanism—are, in a sense, globalists by definition. Yet, they tend to align with the very people who blame Jews for being globalists. It is a contradiction that reveals the fundamentally incoherent nature of these conspiracy theories.

Jacobsen: Let’s talk about the claims regarding Jewish people or Israel, particularly the accusations about Jewish control of the weather.

This sounds eerily similar to the earlier conspiracy theories about space lasers. Still, in this case, it includes claims that Jews can cause earthquakes, trigger hurricanes, and even manipulate weather patterns for political or financial gain. It would be hilarious if it weren’t for the underlying real antisemitism and racism behind it.

One of the most well-known proponents of this theory was Louis Farrakhan, who suggested that Israel had the power to create hurricanes. That’s a recent precedent for this nonsense within our collective memory. When a prominent figure within the Nation of Islam makes such claims, it influences his community. It lends a dangerous level of credibility to something that should be dismissed outright.

What are your thoughts on this?

Tsukerman: Like many antisemitic myths, this one originated in medieval Europe. Jewish communities were often accused of causing natural disasters, plagues, and famines, usually as a pretext for persecution.

One of the more ironic aspects of this history is that during the Black Plague, Jews had lower death rates than the general population. But the reason was not supernatural—it was hygienic. Jewish laws and rituals included regular hand washing, which was uncommon in Europe then. Because of this, their mortality rates were sometimes lower, which led to wild accusations of witchcraft and sorcery. People could not comprehend why Jews weren’t dying at the same rates, so instead of thinking logically, they resorted to conspiracy theories.

Additionally, Jewish dietary laws contributed to higher survival rates. Rats, which were the primary carriers of the plague, were not kosher, and Jewish households generally avoided contact with them. Kosher food laws also required strict cleanliness to avoid contamination by insects or diseases. These factors likely played a role in reducing plague deaths among Jewish communities. But rather than investigating the practical reasons behind this, people blamed the Jews. They used it as an excuse for further persecution.

Another factor contributed to the weather-related myths. Jewish prayers often include requests for rain, particularly because Judaism originated in arid climates where rain was crucial for survival. When Jews migrated to other regions, these prayers remained part of their tradition. However, in deeply superstitious societies, some people likely believed that these prayers had an actual effect on the weather, leading to myths about Jewish control over nature.

Fast-forward to today and these ridiculous myths have never disappeared—they have just been updated for a modern audience. Instead of medieval superstition, they have been repackaged into pseudoscientific and technological narratives about climate change.

Of course, Louis Farrakhan remains one of the most vocal modern figures spreading this nonsense. Whether he believes his claims or finds it convenient to push these ideas for political and ideological reasons is unclear, but the impact is undeniable.

Another example of these weather-control conspiracies involves the Rothschild family, who have long been central figures in antisemitic myths about Jewish control of banking and global finance. Even after many Rothschild descendants ceased to be Jewish—because of intermarriage with non-Jewish families—the conspiracy theories persisted. In reality, the Rothschilds were just one of many prominent banking families. Still, because they were Jewish, they became the primary target of these myths.

One particularly bizarre claim suggests that the Rothschilds funded secret weather control programs. The supposed program, HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program), is a real government research project that studies the ionosphere. Still, conspiracy theorists have turned it into a Jewish-led initiative for controlling the weather. The name itself sounds like something out of Ghostbusters, which only adds to the absurdity of the theory.

Then, of course, we have the infamous Jewish space lasers. U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene promoted the idea that Jewish-funded space lasers were responsible for wildfires in California. It is yet another modern iteration of these age-old conspiracies—just repackaged with science-fiction aesthetics to appeal to contemporary conspiracy theorists.

At the core of all these narratives—whether about plague, weather, financial control, or space lasers—is the same underlying antisemitic trope: the idea that Jews possess secret, supernatural, or technological power that they use to manipulate world events. It’s the same myth, repeated over and over again, just dressed up in a new language to fit the fears of the time.

It was in 2021, years before the latest wildfires. I’m afraid to think what conspiracy theorists will come up with next if even fewer wildfires were blamed on Jewish space lasers. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene implied that elite Jewish bankers—continuing the longstanding trope about the Rothschilds—were involved in using directed energy weapons to cause environmental disruption for profit. This follows a pattern of antisemitic conspiracy theories that frame Jewish individuals or entities as secret global manipulators.

Some people have taken these ideas even further, not just blaming Jews broadly—whatever that means—but specifically accusing Israel of possessing secret technology to manipulate the weather for strategic advantage.

For example, in 2018, Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali, an Iranian general, accused Israel of “stealing rain clouds” to cause droughts despite scientific evidence refuting such claims. In reality, Iran’s droughts are caused by climate change and severe environmental mismanagement, including the overuse of water resources, inefficient irrigation practices, deforestation, and the construction of dams that disrupt natural river systems. Rather than any external interference, these factors have significantly contributed to water shortages.

Cloud seeding is a scientifically studied technique to enhance precipitation. However, it is not a secret or exclusive to any one country. Ironically, the United Arab Emirates has been one of the leading nations in cloud seeding research, alongside China, the United States, and Russia. There is no credible evidence linking Israel—or Jewish organizations—to covert global weather manipulation. Cloud seeding involves dispersing silver iodide or sodium chloride into clouds to encourage rainfall. However, it is not a form of weather control like conspiracy theorists claim; it cannot cause droughts, hurricanes, or other major climate phenomena.

The practice remains controversial, with ongoing debates about its effectiveness and potential long-term climatic impacts. However, it is linked to multiple governments and scientific institutions operating within the framework of regulated meteorological research. While having greater control over weather patterns could theoretically be advantageous, humanity is nowhere near developing precise, large-scale weather control technologies. Some cloud seeding attempts have even produced unintended consequences, including excessive rainfall or failure to produce significant precipitation.

Despite the scientific facts, conspiracy theories persist. Why do such ideas persist, even when there is clear evidence that they are either entirely false or grossly misrepresented?

Several key factors drive their persistence:

1. Mistrust of Science and Government – Many conspiracy theorists distrust anything related to climate science, dismissing it as politically motivated or controlled by hidden elites.
2. Skepticism toward scientific explanations—Some people gravitate toward more fantastical, emotionally compelling explanations rather than accepting evidence-based reasoning.
3. Antisemitic Tropes – There is a long history of antisemitic narratives depicting Jews as secretive global orchestrators of political and financial power. The Rothschild family, in particular, has been falsely accused for centuries of manipulating world events despite clear historical evidence debunking such claims.
4. Social Media and Disinformation – The rise of social media algorithms has allowed misinformation to spread at unprecedented speeds, pushing extremist narratives into mainstream discourse. What once existed in fringe communities is now amplified worldwide, reinforcing existing biases and paranoia.

Jacobsen: I am shocked by how much nonsense is still being spread. Some conspiracy theorists go as far as to claim that the Rothschild family is connected to space-based weaponry or energy beams supposedly used for global Jewish domination. These claims are frequently intertwined with Illuminati, Freemason, and mind-control conspiracies, often targeting Ashkenazi Jews in particular.

Why is this subgroup singled out? Likely because Ashkenazi Jews make up the largest Jewish population worldwide and have historically been prominent in intellectual, scientific, and cultural achievements. This visibility makes them frequent targets for those who believe in secret global power structures.

These conspiracy theories often involve symbols, numerology, and coded gestures, claiming that these elements are evidence of covert world manipulation. However, such ideas are nothing more than modern iterations of centuries-old antisemitic myths repackaged for the digital age.

They claim that there are mind control techniques used to influence societies—whether through messaging in media, entertainment, or education. This is a more complex issue. I’m sure there are Freemasons out there who would probably find these claims hilarious. Let it be because there aren’t that many Freemasons in the world.

There are Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, and other Freemasons. The primary requirements for joining the Freemasons are to be part of the brotherhood and believe in God. Those are the two main conditions. Ironically, for a long time, Freemasons were mostly Christian and did not have much Jewish representation.

Tsukerman: The reason Freemasonry is often linked to conspiracy theories is that there is a longstanding tradition of combining antisemitism with myths about secret societies, claiming that shadowy elites manipulate world events.

It is a classic conspiracy theory that there is a “shadow state” or “deep state,” or some secret cabal of globalist leaders pulling the strings. One of the biggest contributing factors to this narrative is The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. This fabricated text incorporated Masonic symbolism and themes, falsely linking Jews and Freemasons as co-conspirators in a global plot.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a significant wave of anti-Masonic hysteria. Freemasons were accused—separately from Jews—of being a secretive, subversive force simply because they were an exclusive group that the general public didn’t understand. It was easier to blame mysterious societies for societal upheavals than to analyze the realcauses—such as wars waged by European monarchs, economic crises, and political turmoil.

Ironically, European monarchies and the Catholic Church were particularly suspicious of Masonic groups and often linked them to Jewish financiers.

Why? Because they couldn’t control them. Ironically, Jewish financiers were major contributors to European monarchies—funding wars, infrastructure, and economic ventures. However, monarchs who owed them money found it convenient to demonize them, blaming them for secretive plots rather than repaying their debts. This also prevented Jewish financiers from gaining too much political influence.

Another major conspiracy theory revolves around the Illuminati, a relatively short-lived Bavarian secret society. Over time, it was folded into larger conspiracy theories, often connected to Jews, Masons, and world domination.

In the 20th century, Nazi propaganda amplified these theories. The Nazis promoted the Judeo-Masonic conspiracy, falsely blaming Jews and Freemasons for both capitalism and communism, as well as for Germany’s economic struggles.

Why? Because it was easy and convenient. The theory played into existing antisemitic Nazi imagery, which was obsessed with the occult, secret societies, and hidden power structures. Additionally, because the Nazis were National Socialists, they shared some of the same conspiracy theories that had circulated elsewhere.

It’s easier to repeat past tropes than to come up with something original. Once a conspiracy theory is established and gains traction in the public consciousness, it doesn’t need to be reinvented. Instead, it can be recycled and rebranded for new audiences, reigniting old fears and prejudices.

Francisco Franco in Spain and Benito Mussolini also made similar claims to justify political repression. However, while they promoted authoritarian control, they were not as obsessed with the destruction of world Jewry as the Nazis were. Nevertheless, they leveraged antisemitic rhetoric to rally public support, even when it was not always necessary against actual Jewish communities.

In the 20th century and today, far-right and other online conspiracy theorists continue to make similar claims, suggesting that Jews, Freemasons, the Illuminati, Lizard People, and other shadowy groups control governments, banks, and the media. These theories often ignore basic contradictions—such as the fact that many of the world’s largest banks are not controlled by Jews.

For instance, some of the biggest financial backers of Western institutions today are not Jewish financiers but the government of Qatar, which has made massive investments in Western banks, media organizations, and real estate. However, this fact is not convenient for conspiracy theorists, so they ignore it.

Jacobsen: Now, here’s one I hadn’t heard of before, but it seems relevant—the claim that Jews possess time travel technology. According to this bizarre theory, Jewish people allegedly have ancient knowledge or have discovered ways to bend time using advanced physics to control world history. Some versions of this claim even involve manipulating quantum mechanics to shift historical events in their favour. I have no words for how absurd this is. But what are your thoughts?

Tsukerman: These theories fold into broader antisemitic myths that portray Jews as having hidden power over society, science, and technology. Ironically, the same people who most aggressively accuse Jews of such control are often the ones obsessed with acquiring these powers for themselves.

For example, this idea of Jewish control over time sometimes takes a metaphorical form. Essentially, Jews control history through media, education, and cultural influence. Holocaust denial is one of the biggest examples of this, with conspiracy theorists claiming that historical narratives are manipulated to serve Jewish interests. More recently, Inquisition denial has emerged in similar circles, claiming that persecution of Jews in medieval Europe is exaggerated.

For obvious reasons, this is such an enormous stretch that it has not gained mainstream traction. Instead, it mostly appears in far-right and esoteric conspiracy circles, where people peddle claims of Jewish manipulation of reality. These ideas draw on science fiction themes, blending into conspiracy theories about Lizard People, interdimensional beings, and other fringe beliefs.

Another variation is the idea of Jewish control over global travel and borders. You can imagine how this conspiracy theory exploded during COVID-19 when global travel restrictions were imposed. Some conspiracy theorists claimed that Jews controlled airports, visa systems, and international travel regulations as part of a global dominance strategy. What people can invent and how little evidence they need to persuade others to buy into their nonsense is astonishing.

Some of the same people who push these theories also claim that Jewish-owned banks and organizations dictate global migration patterns and engineer geopolitical crises for financial gain. This theory resurfaced around major financial crises, such as the 2008 financial collapse.

During the Occupy Wall Street movement, some people within those circles were influenced by these ideas—not all, but certain segments. The 9/11 financial conspiracy theories also played into this, with claims that Jews benefited financially from the attacks. This claim is both false and rooted in classic antisemitic tropes.

Those patterns—essentially, the same old antisemitic narratives repackaged in different forms. The connection between space and time and Jewish mysticism is interesting because it blends Kabbalah, the Golem legend, and pseudoscientific claims about time and space manipulation.

Some stem from pop culture adaptations and misinterpretations of Jewish mystical traditions. The Zohar and other Kabbalistic texts discuss divine time and spiritual dimensions. Still, conspiracy theorists twist these ideas to claim evidence of real-world time control.

These people, of course, don’t know what they’re talking about. They misinterpret Jewish religious and philosophical texts, bending them to fit conspiratorial narratives while ignoring historical reality. Instead of studying these traditions properly, they favour pseudoscience, sci-fi speculation, outrageous claims, and outright fabrications.

This also ties into the broader conspiracy that Jewish elites are supposedly infiltrating and taking over secret societies. The claim is not that Jews exist in these spaces but rather that they are infiltrating, dominating, and controlling them from within.

Part of this stems from a tendency to look for scapegoats to explain economic and political instability. Elites—especially Jewish elites—become the most convenient targets for such blame. 

Jacobsen: Conspiracies in this space tend to be split into two broad categories:

1. Scientific or pseudoscientific theories
2. Pseudospiritual theories

Both are tied to antisemitic racism and are rooted in longstanding prejudices. On the pseudoscientific side, one of the most prominent conspiracy theories is about sinister genetic experiments aimed at creating a super-race or altering vaccines, food, and pharmaceuticals to control populations.

This theory often merges with anti-vaccine movements, falsely claiming that Jewish billionaires, such as George Soros or executives at Pfizer, are engineering biological control mechanisms.

That’s the pseudoscientific side. The pseudospiritual side involves concepts like energy vampirism and demonic possession.

• The energy vampirism claim suggests that Jews drain the life force or energy of others, either physically or metaphorically, by controlling economies, spreading despair through mass media, or influencing global events.
• The demonic possession claim is pushed by religious extremists, who allege that Jews possess demons, are possessed by demons, or work with Satanic forces to corrupt the world.
• Some evangelical circles even claim that Jews secretly control the Antichrist or that the Devil uses them as his agents on Earth.

What are your thoughts on these two categories—the pseudoscientific theories and the pseudospiritual ones?

Tsukerman: The genetic conspiracy theories are particularly interesting because they project onto Jews the very things that the Nazis and Soviets themselves did.

One of the biggest false claims is that Jews engaged in selective breeding or genetic manipulation to strengthen their influence or purity. But let’s be clear:

• Jews did not do this.
• Who did? The Germans and the Soviets.

The people who accused Jews of engaging in eugenics and genetic manipulation were the very ones doing it themselves.

Yes, some Jewish communities have historically been insular and did not marry outside their faith for cultural and religious reasons. However, they never engaged in eugenic breeding programs or genetic experiments—aside from medical testing for genetic illnesses, which is common in any population with a long history of close-knit communities.

As is often the case with antisemitic conspiracy theories, these claims blame the victims while projecting the real actions of others onto them.

• Under the Nazis, Jews were falsely labelled genetically inferior and subjected to eugenics programs, forced sterilizations, and medical experiments in concentration camps.
• After Hitler came to power, Jews became victims of racial purity laws that sought to eliminate them.

Yet, conspiracy theorists, today twist history to make it seem as if Jews were the one’s engineering eugenics programs when, in reality, they were the primary victims of such policies.

We are seeing a lot of Russian conspiracy theories, particularly those rooted in Soviet disinformation tactics, which continue to shape narratives today. These aren’t just about Jews, but about how the Soviet Union—and now contemporary Russia—accuse others of doing exactly what they are doing first. This is partly because they believe everyone operates the way they do—that if they engage in certain actions, so must their adversaries. It is also a deliberate propaganda tactic, allowing them to deflect criticism by accusing others preemptively. Other authoritarian regimes and political groups have now adopted the same approach worldwide.

One prominent example of this is the claim that Jews are involved in genetic engineering projects to manipulate global populations or to create biological advantages exclusive to Jewish people. This surfaced heavily during COVID-19 when conspiracy theorists falsely claimed that the virus somehow spared Ashkenazi Jews. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite positioning himself as pro-Israel, was among those spreading this baseless theory. The irony is that he now holds influence over public health discussions despite having peddled such unscientific and antisemitic narratives.

Jacobsen: I often discuss these issues with Muslim, Jewish, and secular friends, many of whom are highly qualified in geopolitics, Jewish affairs, and related fields. These individuals possess deep knowledge in their respective fields. Yet, despite their expertise, we all arrive at the same frustrating conclusion: the sheer stupidity of it all. Every day brings new exasperating conspiracies; no matter how absurd they get, they keep spreading.

And if you think it stops there, it doesn’t. Some conspiracy theorists take it even further, claiming that Jews were not just immune to COVID-19 but actively created bioweapons targeting non-Jewish populations. This is an escalation of the earlier claim—suggesting that Israel has developed bioweapons specifically designed to target certain ethnic groups. 

Tsukerman: This theory is directly linked to Soviet disinformation and follows the classic KGB playbook. This particular bioweapon conspiracy theory is a Soviet creation, which has been actively disseminated across the Muslim and Arab world, as well as other regions where the Soviet Union once had substantial ideological influence. It has resurfaced in different forms but follows the same core structure—a fabricated accusation used to delegitimize and vilify Jewish communities.

Another longstanding genetic conspiracy theory is the Khazar theory. This false claim, which is extremely common in the Arab and Muslim world, alleges that Ashkenazi Jews are not “real Jews” but rather descendants of the Turkic Khazars. Some extremists use this theory to argue that modern Jews have no legitimate claim to Jewish ancestry or Israel.

While it is true that a small group of Khazars converted to Judaism in the medieval period, this has no connection to the mainstream Jewish population. Jewish law permits converts from any ethnic background. Once someone converts, they are fully Jewish—just like those born into Jewish families. The Khazar theory is a deliberate attempt to delegitimize Jewish identity and their historical connection to the Middle East. It is also an attempt to undermine the argument for Jewish indigeneity in Israel despite overwhelming genetic and historical evidence showing that even Ashkenazi Jews share deep Middle Eastern ancestry.

Then there is the particularly bizarre claim that Jews have genetically modified their DNA for intelligence, longevity, or financial success. This conspiracy suggests that Jewish success is not due to cultural or historical factors but instead to deliberate genetic manipulation—implying sinister, unnatural motives behind Jewish achievements.

At its core, this conspiracy theory is driven by envy. It echoes classic antisemitic stereotypes, portraying Jews as hyper-intelligent, manipulative, and controlling. It is far from a benign narrative—it is actively harmful and promotes dangerous misconceptions.

Fortunately, not many people take this idea seriously—at least, not yet. But in today’s digital age, anything can be amplified. The risk is that such conspiracies fuel hate crimes, violence, and targeted attacks against Jewish communities. These theories are actively promoted by neo-Nazi groups, white supremacists, extremist online forums, and, of course, Russian state-run media.

Some Russian-backed media outlets have specifically spread the false claim that Jewish genetic manipulation is tied to political control. This follows a familiar pattern, where Russia amplifies and exports antisemitic conspiracy theories to destabilize societies and sow distrust. These fabrications serve political agendas but can have real-world consequences, especially when they inspire violence and systemic discrimination.

The “Jewish energy vampire” conspiracy theory is yet another variation of longstanding antisemitic myths, which portray Jews as parasitic, exploitative, and draining the resources of others. This concept has been recycled repeatedly, and guess who loved this version of it? Hitler. He described Jews as vermin and framed them as exploitative parasites. However, in his case, he meant it literally, not just metaphorically.

The energy vampire narrative takes this further, diving into occult conspiracies found in both Nazi ideology and Soviet-era disinformation. Some extremists and conspiracy theorists believe in the literal concept of an energy vampire—someone who drains life force or spiritual energy from others. This belief has deep roots in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the USSR, these ideas reemerged in Russia’s post-Soviet instability.

After the Soviet Union broke apart, there was an explosion of pseudoscience and frauds posing as spiritual healers. A prime example is Anatoly Kashpirovsky, a psychic healer who claimed to energize water by staring at it. People were encouraged to drink this “charged” water to heal illnesses. This sounds absurd, but I saw these people in action—it was a real phenomenon.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, if some charged water with good energy, there had to be energy vampires—people who drained energy with bad mojo. These ideas morphed into broader conspiracy culture, blending with occult narratives and modern internet-driven myths that thrive in conspiracy forums and social media spaces.

The roots of this conspiracy go back to the medieval blood libel—one of the oldest antisemitic myths in history. Jews were falsely accused of kidnapping and draining the blood of Christian children for ritual purposes. The “energy vampire” claim is simply a modernized version of this lie, arguing that Jews metaphorically drain the life force of non-Jews.

Today, antisemitic conspiracy theorists claim that Jews drain nations through financial manipulation, banking control, or globalist agendas. These accusations are often directed at figures like the Rothschilds or professions with significant Jewish representation, such as lawyers, psychologists, and doctors.

Some conspiracy theorists merge occult symbolism with antisemitism, creating paranormal adaptations of old myths. They claim that Jews are not only energy vampires in a metaphorical sense but also spiritually or psychically draining the life force of others. And, of course, we have David Icke, who popularized the reptilian shapeshifter conspiracy—another wild antisemitic claim.

According to Icke, much of the Jewish elite and their allies possess supernatural energy-draining abilities. Honestly, where was this guy all my life? He should be making Hollywood horror films, not spewing nonsense conspiracy theories.

Many people think QAnon is just about child sex trafficking and Pizzagate, but in reality, it has absorbed and adapted antisemitic myths into New Age spiritual frameworks.

QAnon followers believe in a vast network of global elites, and their ideas go far beyond claims about pedophiles in Hollywood and Washington. Some insist that Hollywood bankers and media moguls are part of a life-force-draining elite, echoing classic antisemitic propaganda repackaged for the digital age.

This is no longer just about accusing people of sex crimes—now it’s about accusing them of being energy vampires. This claim is completely dehumanizing, reinforcing the ignorance, conspiracy thinking, and paranoia that fuels radicalization.

Historically, these types of accusations have led to pogroms, expulsions, and genocides. What’s particularly dangerous now is how these ideas have merged with occult and paranormal themes, making them more appealing to broader audiences—not just traditional hate groups and far-right extremists but also New Age spiritualists, UFO believers, and conspiracy enthusiasts.

These narratives mainstream antisemitism beyond the usual hate groups, drawing in people who may not initially hold antisemitic beliefs but become indoctrinated through exposure to these conspiracy-driven subcultures.

And that’s the real danger: once antisemitic myths enter alternative communities, they gain legitimacy among people who don’t see themselves as racists or extremists. This allows old hate to be repackaged for new audiences, keeping antisemitic conspiracies alive for yet another generation.

Jacobsen: The first time I heard this was as a joke—a risky joke, nonetheless—in a recent Dave Chappelle comedy special on Netflix. He mentioned “space Jews” as part of a routine. Where does this come from?

Tsukerman: Chappelle used the phrase “space Jews” as a joke, making a sideways commentary about Israel and Palestine. It was a play on words, referencing Jews and space travel, but with an underlying political message. Some took it as a lighthearted jab, while others saw coded language reinforcing antisemitic stereotypes.

Regarding the concept behind the joke, Chappelle references a sci-fi movie trope—one where an oppressed group leaves their homeland, gains advanced technology, and returns to reclaim it. He applied this idea to Jewish history and Israel’s establishment, making the argument that Jews “left,” modernized, and then returned and took over everything.

The problem with this analogy is that it reinforces classic antisemitic stereotypes—depicting Jews as secretive, powerful, controlling, and manipulative. The Israel-Palestinian parallel in the joke played into the common misconception that Israel was an all-powerful military force crushing an underdog when, in reality, Israel’s early survival was far from assured.

The historical context matters. At the time of Israel’s establishment, multiple Arab armies attacked from all sides. The Arab states actively opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, not because they supported Palestinians, but because they did not want Israel to exist at all.

Meanwhile, Israel received little outside help. The Czechoslovak government provided some weapons, later France became an ally, and only much later did the United States become Israel’s strongest supporter. Israel was militarily outnumbered at its founding but benefited from better strategy and organization. At the same time, the Arab forces were highly disorganized.

So, the idea that Israel was an overwhelming force from the start is historically inaccurate. That’s why some Jewish groups found Chappelle’s joke misleading, if not outright harmful.

Chappelle later claimed he was not being antisemitic, but the joke sparked controversy because many saw it as dog-whistling—using coded language to convey antisemitic stereotypes without stating them outright.

This led to a broader debate about intent versus impact. Was Chappelle actively spreading antisemitic ideas, or was he provoking discussion through satire? Even if he didn’t mean harm, did his words reinforce dangerous conspiracy theories?

Jewish organizations largely viewed the joke as, at best, distasteful and insensitive and, at worst, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Meanwhile, free speech advocates defended him, arguing that comedians should be able to challenge societal issues.

Netflix stood by Chappelle, continuing to support his specials, but the free speech argument here is not about whether he had the right to say it—of course, he did. The real question is whether he used stereotypes instead of thoughtful critique to discuss a real conflict.

Was he helping free speech or promoting misinformation and reinforcing negative stereotypes? That was the bigger issue.

That’s why “space Jews” became a flashpoint in debates about antisemitism, free speech, and the role of comedy in social critique. It raised questions about which jokes are appropriate, which are antisemitic, and which are harmless ribbing based on cultural archetypes.

Some argued that the joke was provocative but valid, while others believed it was dangerous and contributed to antisemitism.

What would be most interesting, though, is if anyone has measured the impact of that joke on public attitudes toward Jews and Israel. Did it increase antisemitic beliefs? Did it reinforce stereotypes? Without hard data, it isn’t easy to gauge the real-world consequences beyond immediate backlash and commentary from advocacy groups.

Shortly after the “space Jews” controversy, Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live in November 2022 and addressed Kanye West’s antisemitic comments. Kanye West is unquestionably antisemitic—his statements about Jews align directly with classic antisemitic tropes. The only people who downplayed his remarks were his staunchest supporters, like Candace Owens.

During his SNL monologue, Chappelle referenced Kanye’s antisemitic rants, which included accusations about Jewish control of media and finance. These ideas aren’t new—they are deeply rooted in centuries-old antisemitic propaganda. And yet, rather than directly condemning Kanye, Chappelle’s monologue walked a fine line, making light of Jewish influence in media while mocking how openly Kanye said it. This divided public opinion again. Some saw it as calling out antisemitism, while others believed he was normalizing it by laughing it off.

This remains a key example of how comedy can blur the line between critique and harmful reinforcement. Whether Chappelle intended it or not, his remarks became part of a larger conversation about how antisemitic narratives spread, evolve, and become mainstreamed through cultural discourse.

These are mainstream examples of classic antisemitism. Chappelle mocked Kanye’s approach, opening his monologue by acknowledging antisemitism in all its forms before saying, “And that, Kanye, is how you buy yourself some time.”

He then joked that Kanye had broken the rules of show business, implying that openly criticizing Jewish influence leads to consequences. Some viewed this as a satirical critique of antisemitic conspiracies, while others believed he was reinforcing and endorsing them.

There was also a broader debate about how Hollywood handles antisemitism compared to other forms of bigotry. Some critics argued that Hollywood is more permissive toward antisemitism, citing how figures like Mel Gibson—who made overtly antisemitic remarks—were eventually allowed to return. At the same time, those accused of racism against Black or other marginalized groups often faced permanent ostracization.

Many Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), criticized Chappelle for normalizing the idea that Jews control industries. Others argued that Chappelle was provocative, not hateful, using comedy to expose contradictions.

Regardless, Netflix continued to support Chappelle, as we know. But figures like Simon Howard saw his remarks as part of a growing normalization of antisemitic rhetoric. As for Kanye West, I don’t think I need to recite the full litany of pro-Hitler, anti-Jewish threats, and conspiracy-laden rants he has made in recent years.

He has gone on multiple antisemitic tirades, both in person and online. On Twitter (now X), he infamously threatened to go “DEFCON 3” on Jewish people and repeated banking and media conspiracies. He praised Hitler and the Nazis during an interview with Alex Jones. This is another example of the thin line between satire, comedy, entertainment, and conspiracy theories.

As we know, Alex Jones lost a massive lawsuit filed by Sandy Hook families after he spread conspiracy theories denying the shooting. The consequences for West, however, were mixed.

Yes, there were major financial and industry repercussions—many companies cut ties with him, including Adidas, Balenciaga, and talent agencies. However, some argued that these actions were not taken as a moral stance against antisemitism but rather as a business risk response to his controversial and indefensible hate speech.

Meanwhile, West remained popular, continued to do business, and was renormalized by Elon Musk, who allowed him back on Twitter/X after initially banning him. Despite the fallout, he eventually returned to the public sphere, making similar remarks again.

This suggests that the consequences were not as severe as Chappelle had implied in his monologue.

Jacobsen: Okay, so, what about Hollow Earth theory and the claim that Jews have subterranean secret underground cities where they hoard treasure? That’s what I’m talking about—pure sci-fi nonsense repackaged as antisemitic conspiracy. Some versions of the Hollow Earth theory go even further, claiming that Jews are the descendants of an ancient underground race that secretly controls human civilization from beneath the Earth’s surface. There are various Hollow Earth conspiracies, some blending metaphysical and occult beliefs.

Tsukerman: Certain theories involve reincarnation, artificial birth, and genetic manipulation, tying into pagan and neo-pagan mythology. Others merge these ideas with modern fears about cloning, artificial wombs, and DNA hacking, claiming that Jews are behind these technologies—much like conspiracy theories about genetic modification for intelligence or financial success.

So essentially, the same antisemitic tropes keep getting recycled, but with a sci-fi, paranormal, or New Age twist.

Alternative history and hidden civilizations—basically, Jews are woven into almost every conspiracy theory, no matter how absurd. The subterranean conspiracy theory is one of the more widespread ones, claiming that Jews operate in hidden underground networks to control global events.

This idea traces back to Hitler’s propaganda, where he compared Jews to vermin, portraying them as creatures that live in tunnels, scurry underground, and hide from daylight—a dehumanizing stereotype designed to justify persecution. Over time, this evolved into myths about Jews secretly hoarding wealth and conducting sinister activities below the surface.

In medieval Europe, Jews were falsely accused of living in underground tunnels to carry out secretive financial manipulations and blood libel rituals. The image of Jews sitting in basements counting gold coins became a widespread stereotype, reinforcing the idea that they operated outside public view while exerting secret influence.

During the Nazi era, propaganda expanded this narrative, portraying Jews as a hidden force controlling governments and economies. Nazis even claimed that Jews had secret underground bunkers or bases, using this to fuel wartime propaganda. But guess who had underground bunkers?

Jacobsen: Hitler himself. 

Tsukerman: His underground bunker system spanned across Europe, and he spent his final days hiding in one in Berlin.

Today, QAnon and far-right extremists claim that Jewish elites use underground tunnels for trafficking, wealth hoarding, and secret societies. But guess who has been involved in human trafficking?

Figures like Andrew Tate and those associated with Jeffrey Epstein. It is important to note that Epstein’s network wasn’t politically one-sided—his visitors included Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and others from across the political spectrum. These people were well-known public figures, not hidden elites.

Yes, Epstein was Jewish, and some conspiracy theorists tried to link him to Mossad. Still, in reality, his operation appears to have been a self-serving blackmail scheme targeting wealthy individuals—not part of any grand Jewish conspiracy.

Jacobsen: Now we move to the reptilian shapeshifter story, which blends Jews, their so-called allies, and reptilian overlords controlling subterranean bases and secret underground cities.

What baffles me is how much of this originates from one man—David Icke. He has somehow absorbed the strangest conspiracy theories from history and combined them into one overarching narrative. It’s almost as if he researched every bizarre accusation ever made against Jews or secret societies and decided to compile them into a single unified myth.

Tsukerman: At this point, I’m starting to wonder if David Icke is even a real person. His name appears behind almost every outlandish conspiracy theory of the modern era.

In the Middle East, propaganda has accused Jews of digging underground tunnels for espionage or sinister religious purposes. But guess who builds underground tunnels?

Terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. They actively use underground tunnels for smuggling weapons, transporting militants, and carrying out attacks—exactly the kind of activity they accuse Jews of doing.

Jacobsen: Now, coming back to Hollow Earth and occult theories, there is a myth claiming that Jews are part of an ancient subterranean race or that they maintain secret underground societies.

These theories blend sci-fi, New Age mysticism, and antisemitism, making them popular in conspiracy forums. While they aren’t yet mainstream, they are growing—and given how quickly online extremism spreads, it’s only a matter of time before they gain wider traction.

Tsukerman: The problem is that these myths do more than sound ridiculous. They reinforce the usual stereotypes about Jewish secrecy and manipulation, feeding into far-right extremism and terrorist radicalization.

Jacobsen: And that’s where the real danger lies—these theories aren’t just harmless internet nonsense. They have inspired real-world violence. Some have even been cited in manifestos of extremists who believe in a global Jewish cabal. Now, here’s an interesting linguistic question—why do the words “sinister” and “cabal” keep appearing in these conspiracies?

Tsukerman: The word “sinister” appears because these conspiracies are designed to sound shadowy, vague, and ominous. It’s not just about something being illegal—it’s about implying ulterior motives that can’t be easily proven or disproven. That’s what makes them so powerful for conspiracy theorists.

Jacobsen: And “cabal”?

Tsukerman: “cabal” comes from the Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. Over time, it was co-opted by conspiracy theorists, who use it to describe a secretive, all-powerful Jewish group running the world. It’s deliberately vague, which is what makes it so enduring. No evidence is required because the accusation is built on secrecy and ambiguity.

It’s all about creating an enemy that is both invisible and everywhere at once—a boogeyman people can blame for anything. A cabal is a small group that controls large swaths of powerful institutions. Conspiracy theorists obsess over secretive groups, particularly tight-knit ones because they imply an extreme concentration of power in the hands of a few conspirators.

A lot of these theories are just re-adaptations of classic antisemitic tropes, but conspiracy theorists keep inventing more creative interpretations. Some have even claimed that the dwarves in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings are a coded Jewish stereotype due to their focus on craftsmanship, gold, and isolation from other societies. I don’t find that argument convincing, but it’s interesting how deeply people read into these things.

Jacobsen: The New Messiah and the Anti-Messiah. The theory goes like this: Jews are supposedly plotting to install a false messiah to deceive the world or are secretly working with the Antichrist to bring about the end times. In other words—they can’t win either way.

Tsukerman: That’s right. No matter what, they’re framed as the villains. The “Jewish Antichrist” and “Jewish Anti-Messiah” myths take Christian eschatology and apocalyptic literature and twist them with antisemitic conspiracy theories.

There’s a huge difference between Jewish and Christian beliefs about the Messiah and the end times. Still, conspiracy theorists weaponize these differences to cast Jews as agents of deception or demonic forces. Essentially, they position Jews as the opposition to the “true” Messiah, preventing Jesus’ return.

Historically, these claims were used to justify discrimination and violence. The original Christian idea of the Antichrist described him as a false messiah who deceives humanity before the Second Coming of Christ. Some medieval Christian interpretations falsely linked the Antichrist with Jews, claiming he would be a Jewish religious or political leader who misleads the world.

From a Jewish perspective, the Messiah is not Jesus or a supernatural figure. Instead, he is a human leader, a Jewish king from the Davidic dynasty, expected to restore the Jewish monarchy in Israel.

In Jewish tradition, when the Messiah arrives, Jews worldwide will return to Israel. After wars and turmoil, the world will enter an era of peace under this leader’s reign. There is no supernatural component—just a restoration of monarchy with a benevolent ruler.

This completely differs from the Christian concept, which portrays the Messiah as divine and ushering in the world’s end.

Medieval Christian texts accused Jews of rejecting Jesus and “preparing” a false messiah, an idea that Christian theologians like Martin Luther later obsessed over. Luther wrote extensively about Jews aligning with the Antichrist and helping to prepare for his arrival.

This shows how old these ideas are. Throughout history, they were used to justify pogroms, expulsions, and forced conversions.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion further reinforced these ideas, portraying Jewish elites as working toward world domination under a false messianic figure. This book blended multiple antisemitic myths into one, creating a bizarre mix of medieval theology, secret societies, and political conspiracy theories.

And now, far-right Christian nationalist movements have recycled these ideas, claiming that Jewish leaders and movements are preparing for Antichrist rule. Of course, nobody can define exactly what this would look like. They say, “Jews are aligned with Satan,” and leave it at that.

In Jewish tradition, there is no “Antichrist” in the Christian sense, but there is a parallel concept in Jewish apocalyptic texts—a figure known as Armilus.

Armilus is a false messiah who opposes the true Jewish messiah, Mashiach ben David. “Mashiach” is a title, not a name—the name given in later rabbinic texts is Menachem.

In some versions, Armilus is depicted as a corrupt ruler or a deceiver who gains power before being overthrown by the Jewish messiah. However, in Christian depictions, the Antichrist is almost always tied to Jewish identity—while in Jewish sources, he is not. Jewish texts often depict him as a foreign leader or supernatural figure who misleads people under pretenses.

So, once again, we see Christian theology repurposed as an antisemitic weapon rather than understanding Jewish traditions on their terms. The current wave of far-right Christian conspiracies, particularly among evangelical fundamentalist groups, claims that a future Jewish leader will be the Antichrist. They point to false interpretations of Israel’s role in prophecy, repackaging old religious antisemitism for the modern era.

And, of course—David Icke. Let’s remember that name. He is everywhere in these conspiracy theories. Whether it’s religious antisemitism, sci-fi narratives, or globalist conspiracies, his name keeps surfacing.

Other conspiracy theorists take this even further, claiming that Jewish politicians, bankers, and elites are advancing the Antichrist’s agenda. According to them, all Jewish influence is secretly working toward this goal.

How do they reconcile Christian eschatology with sci-fi conspiracies? That’s a good question. Maybe we should ask David Icke himself—I bet that would be an interesting interview.

But it’s not just Christian fundamentalists pushing this. QAnon and other conspiracy groups have latched onto these ideas, blending Christian end-times prophecies with their theories. 

I initially thought QAnon was just about Pizzagate and sex trafficking conspiracies, but it turns out it’s so much bigger than that. They claim that Jewish globalists are preparing the way for an Antichrist figure, merging far-right Christian narratives with their own New World Order, Illuminati, and banking conspiracies. This creates an entirely new framework of paranoia.

The problem with these narratives is that they completely distort both Judaism and Christianity, turning them into tools for fearmongering and extremism. Instead of promoting genuine religious understanding, these conspiracies fuel persecution, spread antisemitic tropes, and incite hatred. There is no upside to any of this.

Jacobsen: And now, we reach one of the weirdest claims yet—that Jewish people control reincarnation. According to this bizarre theory, Jews decide who gets to return to Earth in new forms. They reincarnate in new forms to retain power while at the same time stealing or hijacking non-Jewish souls to prevent non-Jews from achieving spiritual enlightenment.

In this sinister plot, Jews supposedly trap souls in an endless cycle to maintain their dominance over the world. This is a wild combination of New Age mysticism, antisemitism, and science fiction.

Tsukerman: Believe it or not, it’s still rooted in classic antisemitic myths—just with a New Age twist instead of a Christian theological one. The claim is that Jews steal the identities or souls of non-Jews to further their secretive political agenda. Reincarnation, in this narrative, becomes a tool of control—a way for Jews to return in new forms while remembering their past lives, ensuring they stay in power across multiple lifetimes.

This ties into other tropes about alleged Jewish immortality, such as the legend of the Wandering Jew—a figure supposedly cursed to walk the Earth for thousands of years.

In conspiracy circles, Jews are often depicted as a secretive, unyielding group that stays in control for centuries, almost like Jewish vampires—or worse.

Jacobsen: And then there’s the “soul hijacking” claim. In this version of the conspiracy, non-Jews are reincarnated into Jewish bodies as part of a master plan for Jewish world domination. Essentially, Jews are depicted as supernatural parasites, using mystical and occult powers to manipulate human reincarnation. So once again, we see the same antisemitic themes repackaged in a different form—Jews as manipulative, parasitic, and controlling supernatural forces to retain power.

Tsukerman: There is also the cultural and spiritual hijacking conspiracy, which claims that Jews use reincarnation to infiltrate other cultures and steal the essence of other religions. This distorts traditional Jewish teachings, particularly Jewish mystical traditions such as Kabbalah, which do have concepts of reincarnation but in very specific ways.

In Jewish tradition, reincarnation is not about power or control but about free will and moral improvement. Jews do not remember their past lifetimes because doing so would negate their ability to make independent moral choices in their current lives. The purpose of reincarnation is to elevate the soul through moral refinement—correcting past transgressions, making better choices, and spiritually advancing.

In this view, people may reincarnate to achieve personal growth and repair past mistakes. However, the key element is that they do not remember their previous lives, which ensures they can make independent moral choices without being influenced by past identities.

As you can see, this is completely different from the twisted narratives found in conspiracy theories. These false ideas merge New Age mysticism and pagan beliefs with conspiracy culture, blending spiritual and mystical elements with political paranoia.

Some conspiracy theories combine and compound multiple supernatural ideas—including soul-switching, shape-shifting, and soul-trapping. These ideas are central to David Icke’s reptilian conspiracies, but now they are being specifically applied to Jews.

Needless to say, this is dehumanizing, bizarre, and perpetuates dangerous stereotypes. It fits within extremist ideologies, further radicalizing those prone to believing in conspiracy theories and increasing the risk of real-world violence.

Beyond that, it distorts spiritual understanding and misleads people about actual Jewish beliefs. It takes reincarnation—a concept found in multiple religious traditions—and weaponizes it for hate, division, and fanaticism, transforming it into a paranoid and absurd narrative.

Jacobsen: Now, onto one of the strangest claims yet—that the Rothschild family secretly owns the moon. The theory alleges that the Rothschilds hold secret elite meetings on the moon, using hidden technology and a global surveillance system to control humanity. Some even claim this is connected to Israel’s lunar space missions, which are supposedly an attempt to reclaim an ancient Jewish colony on the moon.

Tsukerman: This is complete nonsense, but you can see how it evolved from existing Rothschild conspiracy theories.

The Rothschild family has long been falsely accused of controlling global wealth, politics, and media, even though their influence today is nowhere near what it was centuries ago. Most members of the Rothschild family are not even Jewish anymore. Yet, conspiracy theorists continue to depict them as puppet masters secretly controlling the world.

The idea behind the “moon ownership” theory is that the Rothschilds have extended their global wealth and influence beyond Earth.

But guess who is trying to expand their off-world real estate? Not the Rothschilds—but Elon Musk. I do not see the Rothschilds in the space business, but Elon Musk is. This entire conspiracy ties into space-related paranoia, climate conspiracies, and extraterrestrial myths. Some claim that the Rothschilds secretly colonized the moon to expand their wealth and influence despite zero evidence of any human existence on the moon beyond the Apollo missions.

And, of course, this conspiracy also intersects with moon landing denialism. Some of the same people who believe the U.S. never landed on the moon now claim that the Rothschilds were the first to colonize it.

It even blends into SpaceX and moon colonization fantasies, particularly those surrounding Elon Musk, where wealthy elites are imagined to have exclusive access to outer space resources for personal gain.

The pattern is clear—these conspiracies continually recycle old antisemitic tropes, mix them with modern fears about technology, space exploration, and global control, and create elaborate fictions to justify their paranoia.

Is there someone else who fits these descriptions? Because, once again, it’s not the Jews or the Rothschilds. So, in many of these cases—though not all—there is a deep element of psychological projection. This is a deliberate reversal of reality, similar to what we’ve seen in Soviet and even some Nazi conspiracy theories.

Soviet intelligence literally and deliberately projected their actions onto their adversaries, accusing them of doing the things they were guilty of. But they aren’t the only ones.

They exported this tactic around the world. It’s so widely adopted that it’s hard to say whether Russian intelligence is still driving these narratives or has become common practice because it works so well. Regardless, the result is the same—deflect attention from those engaging in manipulation while fabricating wild stories about Jews.

Yes, exactly. But let’s be clear—no Jewish real estate is on the moon. There are satellite images, photographs, and extensive lunar research, but none convinces conspiracy theorists. They continue to claim that Jews secretly own the moon and control hidden lunar resources.

All right, now onto another absurd theory—that Jews control the Internet itself and are working on uploading their consciousness into machines, creating eternal digital rulers who will dominate the world forever.

This conspiracy merges science fiction with supernaturalism and recycles antisemitic myths in a technological context.

Guess who is trying to create the Singularity?

Hint: It’s not the Jews.

Yet, the idea of Jews controlling the Internet persists. Conspiracy theorists claim that elite families in the tech industry secretly control the Internet’s infrastructure, content, and the flow of information.

Yes, Mark Zuckerberg is Jewish, but he’s among the few Jewish figures in tech leadership. Most of the top leaders in Silicon Valley are not Jewish at all, so it’s unclear who these conspiracy theorists even think they’re talking about.

One of their most ridiculous claims is that Jews engineered the World Wide Web itself to gain invisible control over global communication.

If that’s the case, maybe they should take it up with Al Gore since he famously claimed to have “invented the Internet.” I’d love to see those two groups debate each other. Of course, historical facts completely contradict this narrative. The Internet development involved a diverse group of engineers, researchers, and institutions, none of whom were part of any secret globalist conspiracy.

Now, let’s talk about the AI and mind-uploading conspiracies. Various scientists and theorists have explored the concept of merging human consciousness with technology, but no one has made more progress in this area than Elon Musk—once again, a non-Jewish figure.

His company, Neuralink, is developing brain-computer interface technology. It aims to help disabled individuals regain movement and potentially enhance human cognitive abilities.

But let’s be clear—Neuralink is not unique. Several competing projects are working toward similar goals, including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces. None of these projects are anywhere near achieving “mind-uploading” or digital immortality.

Yes, some researchers have speculated about the possibility of preserving consciousness through AI, but nothing remotely close to this exists. And yet, conspiracy theorists claim that Jews are trying to upload their consciousness into machines, ensuring perpetual control over the world. The idea of mind control through technology is far-fetched, especially considering that AI is nowhere near as intelligent as many assume.

Merging human consciousness with machines is an incredibly complex challenge, far beyond the capabilities of current AI models.

Jacobsen: And now, we move to another conspiracy theory involving cryptocurrencies. Some conspiracy theorists claim that Jews created Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies as a global trap. Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, might be a Jewish figure working within a secret cabal to undermine the global economy. Of course, this theory makes no sense, considering that Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity remains unknown and that cryptocurrency was designed as a decentralized system free from traditional financial controls.

Tsukerman: Ironically, cryptocurrency is often promoted by libertarians and anti-establishment groups—many of whom are the same people spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories.

The idea that Jews are behind cryptocurrencies contradicts itself because conspiracy theorists also claim that Jews control traditional banking. If true, why would they deliberately create an alternative financial system that weakens their grip on global finance?

This proves that these conspiracy theories are not logically consistent—they exist purely to justify antisemitic narratives.

So, to summarize:

• Jews do not control the Internet.
• Jews are not behind the Singularity.
• Jews are not secretly uploading their consciousness into machines.
• Jews did not create Bitcoin to undermine the global economy.

These conspiracies are nothing more than modern adaptations of centuries-old antisemitic tropes, repackaged with science fiction, AI paranoia, and financial fearmongering.

This is a newfangled conspiracy theory since Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are relatively recent inventions. But like every other modern conspiracy, it recycles old antisemitic stereotypes and adapts them for technological advancements.

It’s hilarious—and honestly, predictable—to see how medieval antisemitic myths are being repurposed for the digital age, used to explain away complex technological developments, while still carrying an antisemitic aftertaste.

One of the more absurd claims is that Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, is secretly Jewish. There is zero evidence to support this, but, of course, when has a lack of evidence ever stopped conspiracy theorists?

Jacobsen: And the claim that Jewish elites are using cryptocurrency to dismantle traditional financial systems in order to seize global economic control is self-contradictory for one very simple reason.

These same conspiracy theorists also accuse Jews of controlling traditional banking and financial systems—which generally oppose cryptocurrency due to its disruptive potential.

So, let’s get this straight:

• Jews allegedly control the banks.
• Jews also allegedly created cryptocurrency to destroy the banks.
• But Jews are also accused of wanting to accumulate power by controlling banks.
• And somehow, they’re sabotaging themselves to take over the system they already control?

Now tell me—does that make any sense?

Tsukerman: No, of course not. But conspiracy theories don’t have to be logical.

One of the defining traits of antisemitic conspiracy theories is that they do not need internal consistency—they only need to affirm the general narrative that Jews seek power at all costs, even if it means contradicting themselves along the way.

According to this theory, decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were specifically designed to operate outside traditional banking systems, allowing Jewish elites to control global financial transactions secretly.

This is stupid and wrong on multiple levels. The whole point of Bitcoin and other disruptive technologies is that they are decentralized and untraceable, making it nearly impossible for any centralized group—including the so-called “Jewish elites”—to control them.

Jacobsen: They also claim that cryptocurrencies bypass government regulations and undermine traditional economic structures, but guess who benefits most from that?

Not Jews—but human rights activists in authoritarian countries, tech entrepreneurs, and, yes, criminal organizations and terrorists, most of whom are not Jewish at all. And yet, cryptocurrency is still framed as part of a Jewish-led globalist agenda. The irony is that cryptocurrency is the ultimate anti-globalist tool.

Tsukerman: Let’s not forget the bizarre contradiction within these conspiracy circles.

The same people who accuse Jews of accumulating power through traditional banks are often the same people who support cryptocurrencies. Many of the loudest pro-crypto advocates, including the tech libertarian crowd, are not Jewish at all.

So, what we’re seeing is two opposing conspiracy theories coexisting—one claiming that Jews control global banking and the other claiming that Jews created cryptocurrency to disrupt global banking.

That’s exactly why this entire theory is so bizarre and illogical. It also ties into the larger New World Order conspiracy, which claims that Jewish financiers are orchestrating a global economy under their control. But this completely ignores how blockchain technology works—decentralized, anonymous, and resistant to centralized control.

If anything, blockchain technology makes it harder for any single group—including Jewish elites, banks, or governments—to control global financial transactions.

This is one of the worst-designed conspiracy theories because it fails its logic test. There is zero evidence for it, and it exploits distrust in financial institutions and new technologies, attempting to merge two opposite fears into one narrative.

At the core, some people are more afraid of technological innovation than they are of traditional financial elites. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be pushing both of these contradictory ideas simultaneously.

That’s why I’d love to see the two groups of conspiracy theorists—the pro-banking and pro-crypto—debate each other and see who wins. If we’re lucky, they’ll cancel each other out.

Naturally, this fuels extremism, hatred, and confusion. But so far, the cryptocurrency conspiracy crowd is relatively small because, as I mentioned earlier, many of these people benefit from Bitcoin and embrace it for its decentralized nature.

Quite frankly, this may even be a fabricated conspiracy theory manufactured by certain elites who want to weaponize fear and create an artificial controversy to control the cryptocurrency narrative.

There are so many layers to this that I wouldn’t be surprised if some conspiracy theorists work against each other, feeding different versions of events to create paranoia and division.

Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Irina.

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