Blood Libe- Palin Resorts to Antisemitism Term Blood Libel in Facebook Video

Blood libel - that's the term Sarah Palin has been criticized for using it in response to the Tucson shooting.

In a video posting, the former Alaskan governor says:

"Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn."

Michael Shear, of the New York Times' describes why the term "blood libel" doesn't sit well with some people.

"By using the term 'blood libel' to describe the criticism about political rhetoric after the shootings, Ms. Palin was inventing a new definition for an emotionally laden phrase.

"Blood libel is typically used to describe the false accusation that Jews murder Christian children to use their blood in religious rituals, in particular the baking of matzos for passover.

"The term has been used for centuries as the pretext for anti-Semitism and violent pogroms against Jews."

Palin' use of the term drew some criticism from the Jewish community.