Candace Owens has been widely criticized for her posts in which she boldly connected Jewish symbolism, ancient history and today’s terrorist groups to terrorism. Reaction intensified when her claims were debunked by historians and international law scholars who noted that such comments fuel anti-Semitism on the Internet. The post, which has been viewed more than a million times, has reignited discussions about the spread of misinformation and how coded accusations can influence people’s views in harmful ways.
Candace Owens Accused of resurrecting dangerous anti-Semitic trope in viral rant
At the center of the controversy are Owens’ own words. She writes, “Despite Israel’s best efforts to destroy the ancient world of the Middle East, relics remain and reveal the truth.” She further claimed that the “Kidush Cup is a symbol of Judaism” and that the Star of David “has always been associated with Canaanite cults and Baal worship.”Referring to the occult image, she added that Aleister Crowley and his “child-abusing occult friends used this symbol in their ritual magic,” before asking, “Who do you think controls ISIS?”Experts say these claims don’t stand up to scrutiny. Archaeologists have long documented the Star of David in Jewish contexts dating back to late antiquity, including in synagogue art in the Land of Israel. Religious scholars point out that the Kiddush cup was a ritual vessel used to sanctify the Sabbath and festivals, rather than an explicit symbol of Judaism. At the same time, the ruins of Baalbek were widely considered to be Roman imperial structures rather than evidence of a hidden Canaanite cult narrative.Opponents argue that the format of a post is just as important as the content. The message taps into ancient conspiracy movements by overlaying electrified symbols with implicit messages about child abuse and insidious control. According to historians, these tropes have appeared many times over the centuries, often during times of political instability.The issues are broader than individual social media posts. Analysts believe conspiracy theories will destroy discourse as they replace recorded history. In a world influenced by viral materials and algorithms, unsubstantiated statements can spread faster than the truth. The issue is no longer what is said, but how society reacts when misinformation takes hold.
