“Blood and Soil” Antisemitism Is Rebranding Itself Online

How recent pseudo-scientific claims about Jewish Israelis—falsely suggesting biological incompatibility with the land—revive and repackage classic race-based antisemitism

In recent months, social media has seen the spread of pseudo-scientific claims targeting Jewish Israelis, with two particularly persistent myths standing out. One, which trended over the past weekend, falsely claims that 66% of Jewish Israelis are allergic to olive trees. Another, circulated more widely in previous months, inaccurately asserts that Israel has the highest or second-highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Though both claims have been thoroughly debunked, they reflect a deeper trend: the re-emergence of race-based antisemitism through the language of nature, biology, and environment.

Both narratives build on the ideological legacy of “blood and soil,” a belief system made infamous by Nazi Germany, which held that only those of a particular racial background could truly belong to or thrive in a given homeland. In this worldview, Jews were depicted as fundamentally foreign, both socially and biologically—incapable of rooting themselves in any land. Today’s claims, though presented in a modern, data-driven style, carry similar implications.

Pseudoscience and Misrepresentation

The most recent example is the “olive tree allergy” claim. Citing a medical study, some social media users have argued that a majority of Jewish Israelis suffer allergic reactions to olive trees—interpreted symbolically as proof that they do not belong in the land. In reality, the original study states that among allergic individuals, 66% showed sensitivity to olive pollen. This is not unusual. Across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, pollen from native trees is a common allergen.

Nevertheless, the claim has been distorted into a broader assertion that “the land itself rejects you,” suggesting a kind of ecological incompatibility. This metaphor is not new. It echoes earlier racial ideologies that framed Jewish people as biologically incapable of belonging to certain places—a core principle of racial antisemitism from the late 19th century onward.

A similar pattern was seen several months ago with the resurfacing of a false claim that Israel has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. This narrative, widely shared in visual infographics and short-form videos, used outdated statistics and cherry-picked comparisons. As confirmed by a 2024 Reuters fact check, Israel does not rank among the top countries for skin cancer incidence, and the claim misrepresents how skin cancer risk is distributed globally.

The argument implied that Jewish Israelis, falsely presumed to be of white European descent, are genetically ill-suited for the Mediterranean sun. This not only ignores the demographic reality that more than half of Israeli Jews are of Middle Eastern and North African (Mizrahi) descent, but also misrepresents the genetic background of Ashkenazi Jews. Genetic studies have shown that Ashkenazi Jews share significant genetic ancestry with Middle Eastern populations. Additionally, the claim misrepresents skin cancer itself, which affects individuals of all skin tones and ethnic backgrounds, influenced by multiple factors including sun exposure, genetics, and healthcare practices.

Racial Antisemitism in a New Form

While both theories appear modern, their roots trace directly to classic racial antisemitism. As documented by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, racial antisemitism emerged in the late 1800s and gained strength in the 20th century, replacing religious bias with claims of biological difference and racial inferiority. In Nazi ideology, Jews were portrayed not simply as a different faith, but as a separate race—one that could never integrate, no matter their culture, behavior, or citizenship.

“Blood and soil” ideology tied racial identity to land, suggesting that ethnic purity determined rightful belonging to a territory. Jews, according to this framework, were permanently alien. Today’s claims about allergies and skin cancer revive this notion through the language of science, implying that Jewish Israelis are not just political outsiders, but biological ones.

What distinguishes this new wave is its presentation. Rather than relying on overtly hateful slogans, these narratives use misinterpreted studies, selective data, and scientific jargon to appeal to broader audiences. In doing so, they attempt to reframe age-old prejudices as objective truths.

Recognizing the Pattern

The rise of these narratives points to a larger challenge: the persistence of antisemitic ideas in repackaged forms. As misinformation spreads more easily online, especially when dressed in technical language, it becomes harder for casual observers to recognize harmful ideologies beneath the surface.

These claims are not just incorrect—they serve to delegitimize Jewish identity and belonging by invoking nature, biology, and history against them. Recognizing these patterns and naming them as a continuation of racialized antisemitism is essential. Though the terms may change, the goal remains the same: to paint Jews as unnatural, foreign, and undeserving of place.

Understanding the history behind these narratives helps us respond with clarity. Informed critique, education, and vigilance remain our strongest tools against the rebranding of hate.