Rotterdam – If you’re in your twenties or thirties and living in a city like Rotterdam, you’ve grown up in a world that’s more connected, more diverse, and more digitally saturated than ever before. You’ve probably shared classrooms, workplaces, and night outs with people from all backgrounds. Islamophobia—the dominant fear narrative of the early 2000s—feels outdated to many of us.
But something else is creeping in. Antisemitism is making a comeback, and it’s not coming from the places we were taught to expect. It’s not just neo-Nazis or fringe hate groups. It’s showing up in conspiracy memes, in viral TikToks, in political rants, and in the way people talk about Gaza, global elites, and power.
Why Islamophobia No Longer Works
Let’s be real: the old Islamophobic narratives don’t land the way they used to. That’s not because racism has disappeared, but because we’ve seen through the illusion.
- We know Muslims. They’re our friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
- We’ve seen how the “war on terror” was used to justify invasions, surveillance, and discrimination.
- And increasingly, we’re realizing something deeper: Muslim extremism has often been used as a proxy by Western and Israeli interests.
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Take Hamas. It’s officially labeled a terrorist group. But many now argue that Hamas functions as a convenient excuse—a kind of “excuustruus”—to justify military action, occupation, and resource grabs in Gaza. It’s not about religion. It’s about control.
Gaza Isn’t Just a War Zone—It’s a Resource Prize
Here’s what rarely makes it into the headlines: Gaza sits on top of serious natural gas reserves. The Gaza Marine field, discovered in 2000, holds over a trillion cubic feet of gas. That’s enough to power millions of homes and shift the energy balance in the region.
But development has been blocked for decades. Why? Because control over Gaza means control over that gas. And in 2023, Israel gave the green light to develop the field—without involving Hamas. That move raised serious questions: was the war about security, or about securing energy?
The timing of military escalations and energy deals is no coincidence. Some analysts argue that the destruction in Gaza clears the way for infrastructure projects and gas pipelines. It’s not just about ideology—it’s about economics.
The Rise of Conspiracy Thinking—and Its Targets
In this climate of distrust, conspiracy theories thrive. And they often follow a familiar pattern: blame a shadowy elite, link them to global crises, and recycle old antisemitic tropes.
- George Soros, a Jewish philanthropist, is accused of funding everything from migration to protest movements.
- The Rothschild family is still cited as proof of a global banking conspiracy.
- Bill Gates, while not Jewish, is lumped into the same narrative—accused of spreading viruses and controlling populations.
And now, Jeffrey Epstein is back in the spotlight. Thousands of pages of documents were just released by the U.S. House Oversight Committee, revealing Epstein’s communications with powerful figures in politics, media, and finance A B.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender with deep ties to elites, has become a symbol in conspiracy circles. His name is used to suggest that a hidden network of Jewish or Jewish-adjacent figures controls the world—a dangerous and false narrative that fuels antisemitism.
Epstein’s Return to the Headlines
In November 2025, newly released emails from Epstein’s estate mentioned high-profile names, including Donald Trump A B. The documents sparked political controversy, but also reignited conspiracy theories.
- Far-right influencers used the files to push claims about elite pedophile rings.
- Antisemitic accounts linked Epstein’s Jewish identity to broader claims about Jewish control.
- Mainstream media struggled to cover the story without feeding the fire.
The result? Epstein’s name is now part of the same toxic stew as Soros, Rothschild, and Gates—used not to seek justice, but to justify hate.
Social Media: The Perfect Storm
Platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram are where these narratives explode. They reward outrage, simplify complex issues, and create echo chambers.
- Christian Zionists dominate pro-Israel discourse, often labeling any criticism as antisemitism.
- Conspiracy theorists use the same platforms to spread recycled hate.
- Jewish voices are often drowned out or misrepresented, leading to confusion and resentment.
This misrepresentation is key. Many assume that the loudest pro-Israel voices are Jewish—but they’re often Christian Zionists with political agendas. That distortion fuels antisemitism, as critics blame Jews for rhetoric they didn’t create.
Young Adults Are Navigating a Minefield
If you’re in your twenties or thirties, you’re probably trying to make sense of all this. You want to support justice, challenge power, and stay informed. But the lines are blurry.
- Criticizing Israel’s policies can be seen as antisemitic.
- Defending Jewish communities can be seen as supporting oppression.
- Questioning official narratives can lead you into conspiracy territory.
It’s a minefield. And it affects real people—your Jewish friends, your Palestinian peers, your own sense of identity and ethics.
The Dutch Lens: What This Means for Us
In the Netherlands, we value tolerance, dialogue, and critical thinking. But we’re not immune to global trends. The Gaza conflict isn’t just a distant war—it’s part of our digital reality.
- Dutch media often echo international narratives without questioning their sources.
- Political framing shapes how we see the conflict—and each other.
- Online discourse is increasingly polarized, with little room for nuance.
We need to recognize how international conflicts shape local dynamics. The way we talk about Gaza, Hamas, and Israel affects how we treat each other here.
What’s Really Going On?
Let’s connect the dots:
- Hamas is portrayed as a threat, but some argue it’s a proxy force used to justify military action.
- Gaza holds valuable natural gas, and controlling it is a strategic goal.
- Israel’s military actions may be linked to resource access, not just security.
- Conspiracy theories distort reality, blaming Jews for complex geopolitical moves.
- Jeffrey Epstein’s resurfacing fuels antisemitic narratives, linking Jewish identity to elite corruption.
- Social media amplifies hate, confusion, and misrepresentation.
- Young adults are caught in the middle, trying to navigate truth, justice, and identity.
Final Thoughts
Antisemitism is rising again, and it’s not coming from where we used to look. It’s emerging from conspiracy circles, far-right ideologies, and aggressive online defenders of Israel. The Gaza conflict—and the gas beneath it—has intensified this trend, blurring lines and fueling hate.
At the same time, Islamophobia is losing its grip—not because prejudice has disappeared, but because we’re starting to see the deeper structures behind extremist narratives. Hamas isn’t just a militant group—it’s part of a geopolitical game involving gas, territory, and global influence.
Young adults in cities like Rotterdam are uniquely positioned to understand and challenge these shifts. We live in diverse communities, navigate global conversations, and shape the future of public discourse. Recognizing the difference between critique and hate, between activism and conspiracy, is part of that responsibility.
This isn’t about taking sides. It’s about seeing clearly. And in a world flooded with noise, clarity is more valuable than ever.
Dutch Echo 
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