New Book Examining History of “Blood Libel” Accusations Causes Uproar

Historian Ariel Toaff’s new book Pasque di Sangue, the title variously translated as Bloody Passovers or Easters of Blood (the book is not available in English), is already causing an explosion in Italy and Israel. In the book Professor Toaff examines the centuries-old allegation that Jews killed Christian children and incorporated their blood into wine and bread prepared for Passover–charges referred to as “blood libel.” Medieval and renaissance specialists have refuted claims of blood libel, finally calling them anti-Semitic and racist. Dr. Toaff’s employer, Bar-Ilan University, plans to ask him why he chose to present his research in this way. Read more about the book and reactions to it in an AP article here and an article from IsraelNationalNews.com here.