The King of Podcasts Decided to Talk About the DNA of the Jews - and Got Himself into Trouble

Joe Rogan claimed on his podcast that Israel restricts DNA testing to hide the origins of Jews. The article refutes these claims, noting that the restrictions stem from privacy laws. Jewish organizations warn against legitimizing antisemitism.

Joe Rogan, the host of the world's most popular podcast, claimed in a three-hour episode that Israel restricts DNA testing to conceal the origins of Jews, and even mentioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The article refutes these claims: the restrictions in Israel stem from privacy laws and the protection of children's rights, sometimes requiring a court order. Companies like MyHeritage limit services for regulatory reasons, but ancestry tests are available through other companies. Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, have warned that Rogan's conduct legitimizes antisemitism and normalizes extremist views, referencing his past remarks about Jews and money and his comparison of Israel's actions in Gaza to the Holocaust.