The blood libel of 1840 began when two men were killed in Damascus, and the family of one spread rumors that they were murdered by Jewish people so their blood could be used for Passover. The idea that Jewish people use the blood of Christians and Muslims for ritual is based in anti-semitism and has been used as a justification for persecuting Jews, particularly in Europe, throughout history. In response to the blood libel rumors, authorities tortured one Jewish man and seized 63 children from their families to extort false information about the murder from their families. News of the blood libel spread to Europe soon after, and Jewish Europeans began to fear the possibility of repercussions. A Jewish European delegation was sent to Damascus to ask for further investigation in the case by Egypt's federal government, and their request was granted. Fears of anti-semitism spreading throughout the world also prompted European Jews to found a global Jewish solidarity organization, called the Alliance Israélite Universelle.
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