Mirela Monte, a real estate agent from South Carolina, reacted with fear to the news of Hamas' attack on Israel.
However, reading Uncensored Truths, he embraced conspiracy theories, claiming it was a “false flag” orchestrated by the Israelis. Despite credible evidence of the attack, more and more people are denying the basic facts and promoting untrue narratives that minimize the violence or question its origins.
These conspiracy theories are spreading widely on social media, where hashtags linking Israel to the concept of “pseudo-mob” have tripled on services like TikTok, Reddit and 4chan in the weeks following the attacks, according to the Network Contagion Research Institute, a nonprofit that tracks the spread of disinformation.
See also: TikTok: Addresses misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war
In reality, the Israeli attack caused concern, with protesters exploiting the event to justify actions such as removing posters of the hostages. In Oakland, the veracity of the attack was questioned, while conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial were promoted online
Hamas denies the attacks, while false claims are circulating in online communities, increasing the risk of distortion of reality and anti-Semitic beliefs. According to sources, right-wing Holocaust deniers are promoting misleading narratives, using distorted evidence, such as that the Israeli army killed civilians in Hamas by mistake. Articles from Electronic Intifada and Grayzone argue that the deaths were mainly caused by friendly fire. Also worth mentioning is an incident involving an Israeli couple who were confronted with anti-Israel propaganda in London. The director of Electronic Intifada condemns these attempts to mislead readers.
The current conflict in the Middle East is paving the way for anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, with neo-Nazis exploiting pro-Palestinian rallies. The claims focus on conspiracy ideas, such as denying the September 11 attacks. The rise in anti-Semitism is affecting younger generations, with one in five Americans under 30 questioning the Holocaust. Social media platforms are helping to spread conspiracy theories. Researchers warn of the risk of spreading similar ideas, as happened with the non-recognition of the Holocaust.
In Brazil and Argentina, right-wing groups are using disinformation to deny abuses during the military dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s. Supporters of far-right President Milley are promoting conspiracy theories instead of accusations of torture. In the US, conspiracy theories are being amplified to complicate the war. On X (formerly Twitter), activists are accusing Jewish students of organizing hate crimes, an accusation called a “fabricated anti-Semitism crisis” by Grayzone.
Read more: Crypto donation scams emerge amid Israel-Hamas war
Finkelstein warns of a broader strategy by anti-Semitic extremists aimed at undermining Jewish suffering. “First you have to prove that your enemies are not really victims or oppressed.” “If your enemies are really victims or oppressed, your worldview makes no sense.”.
Source: stripes.com
