What was the history and of the Khazarian Mafia and where are they now?
This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.
Was this fact-check helpful?
1. Summary of the results
The "Khazarian Mafia" is not a historical entity but rather a modern antisemitic conspiracy theory that has gained prominence in recent years, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine [1] [2]. The theory is based on the historical Khazarian Empire, a Turkic kingdom that ruled over what is now central-eastern Ukraine, southern Russia, western Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus between the 7th and 10th centuries [2].
The conspiracy theory falsely claims that:
- Ukraine is controlled by "fake" Jews, the Khazars, who are manipulating events to re-establish their historical empire [1]
- The war in Ukraine is a result of a secret plan to re-establish the "Jewish kingdom of Khazaria" [2]
- President Zelensky is a puppet controlled by the "Khazarian mafia" [2]
Currently, this conspiracy theory is being actively promoted on social media platforms, particularly Telegram, to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine [1] [3]. The theory has been promoted by various individuals and groups, including white supremacists and QAnon influencers [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question treats the "Khazarian Mafia" as if it were a legitimate historical entity, when in fact it is entirely a modern fabrication used to promote antisemitism. Several crucial points of context are missing:
- The historical Khazars were a semi-nomadic tribe, and the legend of their conversion to Judaism is questionable [5]
- This narrative has been deliberately constructed to deny the Jewish claim to a homeland in Israel [5]
- The conspiracy theory is not new and has been promoted by various groups and individuals in the past, predating the Ukraine conflict [6]
- These theories are often linked to other conspiracy theories related to Jewish control and financial power [4]
Powerful actors who benefit from promoting this narrative include:
- Russian propagandists who use it to justify the invasion of Ukraine [1]
- White supremacist groups who use it to promote broader antisemitic ideologies [4]
- QAnon influencers who incorporate it into their conspiracy ecosystem [4]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question contains significant implicit bias by treating the "Khazarian Mafia" as a legitimate historical subject worthy of factual investigation. This framing:
- Legitimizes an antisemitic conspiracy theory by presenting it as historical fact
- Omits the crucial context that this is entirely a modern fabrication designed to promote hatred against Jewish people [1]
- Fails to acknowledge that the theory is being used as propaganda to justify military aggression and violence [1]
- Ignores the connection to broader patterns of antisemitic conspiracy theories that have historically led to persecution and violence [4]
The question's neutral tone masks the fact that it is asking about a harmful conspiracy theory that is actively being used to promote hatred and justify warfare [1] [2].