The "Zionist Occupied Government" (ZOG) is a conspiracy theory that alleges Jewish individuals, often acting through the state of Israel or other Jewish organizations, control or heavily influence various governments, particularly those in the Western world, including the United States and European countries. The theory posits that these supposed controllers work in a clandestine manner to further their own interests at the expense of the nations they are said to control. The term "Zionist Occupied Government" originated in [[white supremacy]] circles and is often associated with various forms of hate speech, [[antisemitism]] and anti-Semitic rhetoric, and extremist [[ideology]]. It is part of a long history of conspiracy theories targeting Jewish people, such as the infamous and thoroughly discredited "Protocols of the Elders of Zion." # One of antisemitism's many forms It's important to understand that the ZOG conspiracy theory is not based on factual evidence. It relies heavily on stereotypes, unfounded assumptions, and [[prejudice]]d beliefs about Jewish people and the state of Israel. While there are undoubtedly instances where individuals, including some Jewish individuals, exert influence over governments or other institutions, the notion of a coordinated, international Jewish conspiracy to control world governments lacks credibility and is not supported by serious academic or political analysis. It is widely dismissed by scholars, historians, and experts in international relations. Conspiracy theories like the ZOG can be harmful, as they often stoke fear, hatred, and violence against particular groups of people. They can also serve to distract from or distort understanding of the real issues and dynamics at play in global politics. Related: [[New World Order (NWO)]]