Document details

Antisemitism and Anti-Vax Discourse in Europe: A Report on Conspiracy Ideologies and Anti-Jewish Hatred on Facebook and Twitter

Media Diversity Institute (2021), 57 pp.
"[...] we tried to identify the connection between anti-vax conspiracy theories and antisemitism, and the way they spread on social media. Eight media monitors from Get The Trolls Out! partner organisations in Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and the United Kingdom (UK) monitored Facebook and Twitter in their countries and identified hashtags, private and public groups, and prominent figures who spread misinformation related to COVID-19 and the vaccines. Through these results, they identified antisemitic narratives. The period monitored is from March 2021-August 2021, however, in some cases the period was extended in order to include recent developments. The results of the monitoring exercise are not surprising. Antisemitic narratives are present within anti-vax conspiracies in the countries where monitoring took place. In some countries antisemitism is more subtle than in others, however, it is still part of conspiracist efforts to spread misinformation and fear. One narrative that all countries have in common is an old antisemitic narrative: a group of powerful Jewish people that want to take over the world. In most countries such as Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), France, Hungary, Germany, and Poland this powerful figure takes the form of philanthropist George Soros or of the Rothschild family, who are generally central figures in antisemitic conspiracy theories. In other cases, those powerful secret figures are not named but implied." (Introduction, page 6)
Key Points, 8
ACADEMIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Conspiracy Theory and Conspiracy Theorists, 11
The Spread of Conspiracy Theories, 12
Antisemitism in Conspiracy Theories, 13
COUNTRY REPORTS
Belgium Flanders, 15
Belgium Wallonia, 19
France, 23
Germany, 27
Greece, 31
Hungary, 35
Poland, 37
United Kingdom, 42
REFLECTIONS, 46
RECOMMENDATIONS, 48