ABSTRACT
This chapter is the first to present an analysis of the antisemitic rhetoric in Urdu on the social media platform YouTube. With the help of a case study of the famous Muslim cleric Israr Ahmed, this chapter first gives insights to how YouTube is utilized to disseminate antisemitic conspiracy myths in Urdu. It focuses not only on the nature of the antisemitic content, but also investigates its origins and dissemination, and its impact at both the local and the global level. Videos by Islamic clerics attract large numbers of viewers, are frequently shared on social media, and may play an important role in shaping South Asian Muslims’ perception of Jews, Israel, and Zionism. At the same time, this chapter presents an inquiry into the incentives for spreading hate against Jews, Israel, and Zionism, attempts to understand why this phenomenon in South Asia fails to attract the attention it needs, and suggests some remedial measures to counter the threat.
