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The Combat Antisemitism Movement’s Antisemitism Research Center has released a new report examining the persistence of antisemitic imagery and symbolism.
The report focuses on how classic tropes, especially the blood libel, have been perpetuated through visual symbols and imagery for centuries.
Symbols and Images of a Classic Antisemitic Trope: A Visual History of the Blood Libel and its Modern Manifestations traces these motifs from medieval Europe to the present day. It shows how images once used to demonize Jews continue to surface today. Many now appear in political cartoons, protest visuals, and online memes.
The report identifies recurring visual themes. These include portrayals of Jews as child-killers, demonic figures, or existential threats to society. Although such imagery is often defended as “political critique” or “artistic expression,” its roots are clear and historically documented. These symbols come directly from narratives that fueled violence, exclusion, and persecution.
By documenting this continuity, the report provides critical tools for recognizing antisemitism in visual form. It also offers essential context for applying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which explicitly includes the use of symbols and images associated with classic antisemitic tropes.
The report is designed as a practical resource for educators, journalists, policymakers, researchers, and digital platforms seeking to better identify and confront antisemitism — especially as it becomes increasingly normalized across visual and online spaces.
Read the full report HERE.
