Antisemitism Trends the Turkish Media
I love data. It’s what helps us make sense of the world, spot patterns, and uncover hidden biases. Instead of relying on gut feelings or personal anecdotes, data allows us to take an objective look at what’s really happening. When it comes to social issues, this is especially important—because numbers don’t lie.
One big issue that data helps us understand better is antisemitism. It’s been around for centuries, constantly evolving, and still showing up in media and politics today. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has a clear definition of what antisemitism is:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
To break that down, the IHRA lists some key examples of what antisemitism can look like:
- Promoting or excusing violence against Jews in any way.
- Spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish control of the media, economy, or politics.
- Blaming all Jews for something bad that happened (real or imagined).
- Denying or distorting the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than to their own country.
- Holding Israel to unfair double standards that other countries aren’t subjected to.
- Using old antisemitic symbols or stereotypes when talking about Israel or Jews.
- Comparing Israel to Nazi Germany.
- Blaming all Jews for anything Israel does.
Using this definition, I set out to analyze how antisemitism appears in Turkish-language media. The goal? To see how common antisemitic narratives are and which IHRA criteria they match.
To illustrate how antisemitic narratives persist, let’s take a quick guided tour through some of the most absurd headlines from Turkish newspapers. These aren’t just random opinion pieces—they come from mainstream publications that shape public perception. Buckle up!
- Takvim (June 11, 2024) – “Vampire Netanyahu and the Genocidal USA”
Ever seen a sitting world leader described as an actual vampire? Well, now you have. This article enthusiastically paints Netanyahu as a bloodthirsty creature, reinforcing age-old antisemitic myths. - Yeni Akit (August 13, 2024) – “Columnist Says”
This one goes for a classic conspiracy theory, claiming that Jews have been secretly manipulating governments and economies for centuries. Because apparently, no major world event is complete without a Zionist puppet master lurking in the shadows. - Sabah (August 6, 2024) – “Why Do European Neo-Nazis Love Israel?”
Here’s a fun mental gymnastics routine: The article suggests that neo-Nazis actually support Israel—because why not throw logic out the window? This baffling take attempts to paint Israel as a secret ally of the far-right, flipping historical reality on its head. - Takvim (March 12, 2024) – “The Butcher of Gaza: Netanyahu is Not Alone”
Keeping with the overused Nazi comparisons, this one calls Israel a “state-like terror organization,” a term that somehow sounds like a failed translation of a 90s action movie script. - Sabah (October 15, 2024) – “Two Zionists Sweating in Fear”
Here’s a headline straight from a bad spy novel: This article paints Israel as the center of a Zionist-Evangelical-Unicorn-Fairy super-conspiracy, pulling the strings of global affairs. If only real-world politics were this dramatic. - Takvim (May 14, 2024) – “The Israeli Flag is Evidence of a Crime”
This one truly pushes the limits—suggesting that Israel’s national flag itself is evidence of its criminality. Because apparently, national symbols now double as legal proof in conspiracy land.
Before we dive into the swamp of antisemitic narratives found in Turkish-language media, let’s get one thing straight: this analysis is not about fact-checking or debunking the articles. (though, trust me, some of these claims are so detached from reality they belong in a sci-fi novel).
The goal here isn’t to argue about whether Jews actually control the weather (spoiler alert: they don’t) or if Israel is secretly orchestrating world events from a hidden lair (sounds cool, but nope). Instead, this research strictly examines whether statements match the IHRA definition of antisemitism—no matter how ridiculous, absurd, or flat-out fictional they are.
So yes, even when a claim sounds like it was pulled from the deepest corners of conspiracy forums, it still gets logged and categorized if it meets IHRA’s criteria. Why? Because antisemitism isn’t just about facts—it’s about perception, bias, and how dangerous ideas spread. Lies, after all, have consequences.
I reviewed over 400 articles over a 10-week period.
And here’s what I found:
281 articles contained antisemitic content based on at least one IHRA criterion.

The results were pretty clear: Antisemitic rhetoric is widespread in Turkish media. It often appears in political discussions, conspiracy theories, and narratives that paint Jews and Israel as global threats. The most common types of antisemitism I found were:
- Blaming all Jews for Israel’s actions (collective responsibility).
- Using inflammatory stereotypes and language against Jews and Israel (demonization and dehumanization).
- Drawing direct comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany (a historically false but common trope).
But let’s not just talk about statistics—let’s look at real examples from my analysis.
One of the most severe cases came from Milli Gazete (18-November) where the article stated:
“Israel is using the Kurdish card to divide Turkey, and everyone now knows that Jews are a secret government controlling the world economy.” (2) Spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish control
“Jewish lobbies have taken over the media and banks, directing world politics.” (2) Spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish control
“The massacres in Gaza are proof that Jews are genetically devoid of mercy.” (1) Calling for or justifying harm against Jews (3) Blaming Jews collectively for wrongdoing
“Israel’s policies are no different from Hitler’s Germany, in fact, they are even more brutal.” (8) Comparing Israel to Nazi Germany
“The Holocaust was actually a manipulation, and Jews use it to play the victim.” (4) Denying or distorting the Holocaust
“Jews are more loyal to Israel than to the countries they live in because, for them, Israel is the only real state.” (5) Accusing Jews of dual loyalty
Another example from Yeni Şafak (27-11) reads:
“Netanyahu and his Zionist gang are nothing more than puppets of the Jewish capital that rules the world.” (2) Spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish control
“Israel is the biggest threat to Turkey’s existence, and the goal of Jews is to destroy the Islamic world.” (1) Calling for or justifying harm against Jews (3) Blaming Jews collectively for wrongdoing
“Israel’s oppression is even worse than what Nazi Germany did.” (8) Comparing Israel to Nazi Germany
“This war is not just Israel’s but the collective cause of all Jews, because they have sworn to destroy Palestine.” (9) Holding Jews responsible for Israel’s actions
“The Holocaust is an exaggerated event, and Jews use it for their own benefit.” (4) Denying or distorting the Holocaust
“Muslims fighting against Israel are labeled as terrorists, but the real terrorists are the Jews!” (7) Using antisemitic symbols to characterize Israel
Beyond the clear antisemitic themes, some articles contained outright fabrications and logical inconsistencies that defy historical and factual accuracy. Here are some of the most out-of-reality claims found in the analyzed documents:
By 2028, there will be no such thing as Israel. (Yeni Akit, December 31, 2024)
A confident prediction with no basis in reality, as if geopolitical events operate on personal prophecy rather than complex international dynamics.
The Holocaust is an exaggerated event, and Jews use it for their own benefit. (Multiple sources)
Because apparently, an event documented by thousands of survivor testimonies, historical footage, and mass graves isn’t enough proof? Poland anyone?
Israel’s policies have surpassed those of the Nazis. (Various Turkish media sources)
An insult not just to Israel but to history itself. Six million Jews were systematically murdered under the Nazi regime, yet this false equivalency persists.
Zionist Jews control the American government. (Multiple Turkish outlets)
A classic antisemitic conspiracy theory, recycled endlessly despite having no credible evidence. If Jews were able to control a government, “HELLOOO!” they would do it in Israel!.
Jews are genetically ruthless and lack human compassion. (Found in select articles)
A blatant attempt to revive racist pseudoscience, because labeling an entire people as inherently evil never goes out of fashion in propaganda circles. But what shall we expect from a population that still believes in Genies…
These statements show that some of the antisemitic narratives in Turkish media are not just biased—they are completely detached from reality (like most of Turkish Politics and Economic goals). They reflect deliberate misinformation that aims to manipulate public perception rather than engage in factual discourse.
If there’s one thing this analysis makes painfully clear, it’s this: antisemitism isn’t some dusty relic of the past—it’s alive, mutating, and deeply entrenched in modern Turkish media narratives. Like a bad soap opera that refuses to be canceled, the same conspiracy theories, collective blame, Holocaust distortion, and demonization tropes keep making a comeback—just with new actors and recycled scripts.
But let’s be honest. Recognizing these patterns is one thing—doing something about them is another. In a media landscape where outrage sells and sensationalism is king, how much room is there for truth? When politicians wink and nod at antisemitic narratives to rally their base, is it any surprise that the media follows suit?
We’ve seen this script before. A struggling economy? Blame a shadowy Jewish elite.
Foreign policy challenges? Clearly, a Zionist plot.
A political scandal? Distract with Israel-bashing.
This isn’t just journalism—it’s performance art, where the goal isn’t truth but keeping the audience engaged, angry, and distracted from real problems.
And if history has taught us anything, it’s that unchecked hatred doesn’t just stay in newspaper columns and TV segments. It bleeds into policies, public perception, and eventually, real-world consequences. Turkish media isn’t just reporting on antisemitic narratives—it’s helping shape them, feeding a political ecosystem that thrives on division.
So, is exposing these patterns enough? Will shedding light on these tactics magically reverse them?
I highly doubt that… but hey, in a country where reality is often stranger than fiction, who knows? Maybe one day, facts will make a comeback.
Fighting antisemitism isn’t just about standing up for one group—it’s about defending truth, fairness, and basic human dignity for everyone. Because when lies and hatred go unchecked, they don’t just stop at one target—they spread, corroding the very foundations of a just society.
Awareness should lead to responsibility, and responsibility should lead to action. The real question is: will it?