Blood Libel and Its Derivatives

By Raphael Israeli

Book Description

In an era when humanity aspires to transcend ancient prejudices, certain destructive myths persist with alarming resilience. Raphael Israeli examines one of history's most pernicious falsehoods: the blood libel accusation that has haunted Jewish communities for centuries.

This scholarly exploration traces how medieval accusations of ritual murder, largely abandoned in the Christian world, have found new expression in contemporary Middle Eastern discourse. Israeli reveals how these ancient fabrications have evolved into modern political weapons, manifesting as charges of apartheid, genocide, and systematic poisoning directed against Israel.

The author presents a compelling psychological framework, suggesting that those guilty of human rights violations project their own crimes onto others as a defense mechanism. Through careful analysis, he demonstrates how dictatorial regimes manipulate international forums to deflect attention from their own transgressions.

Rather than merely documenting historical antisemitism, this work illuminates the spiritual and psychological dynamics underlying scapegoating behavior. Israeli connects seemingly disparate accusations to their common root, showing how ancient hatred adapts to contemporary circumstances while maintaining its essential character.

For readers seeking to understand how prejudice operates in the modern world, this book offers valuable insights into the persistence of destructive myths and the human tendency to project shadow qualities onto others. It serves as both historical documentation and a call for greater awareness of how ancient hatreds continue to shape contemporary conflicts.