What Is the Meaning of This ‘Blood Libel’? Posted on Jan 12,
2011 Wouldn’t you know it—the Sarah Palin Catchphrase Generator
clicked, whirred and spat out another viscerally tinged and
menacing two-word combination to righteously apply to her
political opponents. This week’s winner: “blood libel.” But what
does it mean? The BBC breaks it down, and, in news that
shouldn’t surprise many, the term comes equipped with loaded
religious undertones and the capacity to divide and offend. —KA
Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits
should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite
the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn,” Mrs Palin
said. The term, while not widely used in America, has particular
resonance with Jews, many of whom find it deeply offensive. The
allegations behind blood libel originate in the Middle Ages when
Jews were falsely accused of ritualised murder, in particular
the murder of children. The allegations were used to justify
violence against Jews.