Blood Libel Resurrected
An Israeli history professor has been summoned by university officials to explain his new book which claims that extremist Jews killed Christians for their blood in medieval times.
Ariel Toaff, son of Rome’s former Chief Rabbi Elio Toaff, is rumoured to have been disowned by his father, and faces questioning from Bar Ilan University where he is professor of Medieval and Renaissance History.
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Stories of Jews sacrificing young Christians in ritualistic ceremonies have historically spurred pogroms against Jews throughout Europe, but Toaff’s book contains confessions recorded between 1100 and 1500 which expose several cases of slaughter in areas of northern Italy.
Toaff was in Italy last week to promote the book, but has instead found himself defending the extracts which appeared in Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, claiming they were misinterpreted, and only represented a tiny amount of people.
In one case he describes the recreation of Christ’s execution at Passover with a two-year-old boy where the blood is mixed in dough to make unleavened bread.
The extracts have angered rabbis throughout Italy, Toaff’s father has reportedly refused to see his son and twelve of Italy’s senior rabbis released a statement condemning the book.
A Bar-Ilan University spokesperson said the professor would be questioned when he returns from traveling, “Bar-Ilan University expresses its strongest reservations over reports in the media regarding Professor Toaff's latest research regarding blood libels against European Jews in the Middle Ages. Bar-Ilan University – its officers and researchers – have condemned, and condemn, any attempt to justify the awful blood libels against Jews.
“As of yet, there has been no contact with Professor Toaff, who is traveling abroad. Immediately upon his return to the country in the coming days, Bar-Ilan University President Prof. Moshe Kaveh will summon and ask from him explanations regarding his research.”
The Anti-Defamation League has also joined criticism of the book, director Abraham Forman said: "Extremist, anti-Semitic, and Islamic extremist groups will undoubtedly use this charge to further their hostile aims to the Jewish people."
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