No, the claims that bloodstained mattresses and toys were found in the tunnels beneath the Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue in New York are false and part of an antisemitic conspiracy theory
. Fact-checks and official reports have clarified what was actually found in January 2024, when the unauthorized tunnel construction was discovered.
Mattresses
- The origin: Viral videos from the scene did show men pulling mattresses from inside the building. However, they came from behind wood paneling in the synagogue's basement and not from within the tunnel itself.
- The condition: The mattresses were old and stained, likely from dirt or years of storage in an unused ritual bath (mikvah) area. Authorities confirmed that there was no blood on them.
- The claim: Antisemitic conspiracy theorists on social media falsely claimed the mattresses were bloodstained and used them to spread harmful myths, including modern-day blood libels and accusations of child trafficking.
Toys and high chairs
- High chairs: Some videos showed what appeared to be a single high chair, but it was found in the cluttered, trash-filled basement area—not in the tunnel.
- Conspiracy theories: The presence of a high chair was seized upon by conspiracy theorists to spread false claims of child abuse.
- No other toys: There is no evidence of toys being found inside the tunnels.
What was actually found in the tunnels
According to New York City officials and Chabad spokespeople, the illegal tunnel was found to contain only dirt, tools, and construction debris.
The cause of the incident
The tunnel was reportedly dug over several months by a group of "extremist students" who wanted to illegally expand the synagogue. When synagogue officials attempted to fill the tunnel with concrete, the students caused a riot, leading to police intervention and arrests. The resulting viral videos were then used by antisemites to spread fabricated stories about the contents of the tunnels.
