The Protocols of the Elders of Zion: 120 years of Antisemitic Propaganda

The symposium will mark the 120th year anniversary of the first printing of the infamous black propaganda text, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. For the first time in history, students, policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and concerned citizens will come together in a two day conference to discuss not just The Protocols, but also the specific role of antisemitic propaganda and conspiracy narratives within the ideologies and actions of violent extremist movements around the world. It will also be the first cross-disciplinary, cross-generational meeting of scholars of The Protocols in more than a decade.

There is no charge to register and indeed this conference is made possible through the generous support of Joseph Sherman and Monica Vidal, the Anti-Defamation League, and the American Jewish Committee. We strongly encourage people to RSVP for both days, however, this is not mandatory.

DAY 1

Welcome from organizers 8:40 - 9:00 am

Dr. Joel Hellman, Dean of the School of Foreign Service,

Dr. Bruce Hoffman, Director of the Center for Jewish Civilization

Dr. Emily Blout, Symposium Director

Opening keynote 9:00 - 10:30 AM

Michael Hagemeister, University of Bochum

Steven Zipperstein, Stanford University, as the respondent

Panel 1: Why the Jews? 10:45 - 11:45 am

Moderator: Bruce Hoffman

This panel will look at how the Protocols fits into the larger study of antisemitism and hate. What defines antisemitism? How do we differentiate between antisemitism vs. anti-Zionism? What are the similarities and differences between antisemitism and other forms of prejudice?

Aaron Keyak, Deputy Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

Ira Forman, Georgetown University

Pamela Nadell, American University

Izabella Tabarovsky, Woodrow Wilson Center

Lunch Keynote: Mike Rothchild, author of “Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy” 12:30 - 1:15 pm

Panel 2: The global career of the Protocols 1:30 - 2:45

Moderator: Emily Blout

This panel will trace the origins and historic propagation of the Protocols globally and the cross-pollination of ideas and narratives. It will also look at its adaptations and popularity in countries with small or no Jewish population.

Henryk Baran, State University of New York, Albany

Jacob Kovalio, Carleton University

Yigal Carman, MEMRI

Kirsten Fermaglich, Michigan State University

Panel 3: The lie that will never die: The confounding staying power of the Jewish world conspiracy myth and the conspiratorial Jew 3:30 - 4:30

Moderator: Anna Sommer

This panel will problematize the enduring frame of the conspiratorial Jew

Alvin Rosenfeld, Indiana University

Steve Jacobs, University of Alabama

Mark Weitzman, World Jewish Restitution Organization

Concluding remarks 5:00 pm

Reception (drinks and appetizers will be served) 5:30- 7:00

DAY 2

Protocols in Practice: Contemporary Echoes

8:40 am – 5:15 pm

Welcome from organizers 8:40

Emily Blout

Panel 1: Propaganda and conspiracism on the web 8:45 - 9:45

Moderator: Patrick Burkart, Texas A&M University

This panel will talk about the acceleration of conspiracy antisemitism on the internet, social media, gaming, and the dark web.

Joel Finkelstein, Rutgers University

Katja Valaskivi, University of Helsinki

Amarnath Amarasingam, Queens University

Panel 2: On the frontlines of the fight against antisemitism 10:30 – 11:30

This roundtable will look at the Jewish community’s response to rampant antisemitism in America.

Moderator: Marie Harf, Georgetown University

Oren Segal, VP, Center on Extremism, ADL

Holly Huffnagle, US Director for Combating Antisemitism, AJC

Gil Preuss, President, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, DC

Lunch roundtable: Overcoming Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: The Abraham Accords 12:15 – 1:15

Moderator: Bruce Hoffman

Dennis Ross, Georgetown University

Ed Husain, Georgetown University

Michael Doran, Hudson Institute

Panel 3: What is to be done: The danger to democracy and challenge for practitioners 2:00 – 3:00

Moderator: Vlad Khaykin

This panel will consider the tactical and strategic use of anti-Jewish propaganda and conspiracy narratives by state and non-state actors and the implications for national security. It will ask the question: how do democratic societies weather periods of intense violence against Jews and other minorities? Or put another way, what does the astronomical increase in antisemitism mean for the fate of liberal democracy?

John T. Picarelli, Director for Counterterrorism, National Security Council, White House (to be confirmed)

Seamus Hughes, Program on Extremism, George Washington University

David A. Weinberg, Protect Democracy

Panel 4: What is to be done, Part 2: The challenge and promise of technology 3:45 - 4:45 pm

Moderator: Dan Byman

This panel will consider the double-edged sword of networked communication technology, where powerful platforms have enabled and inspired communication, collaboration, and creation unimaginable just a decade ago. Yet such technology has also inspired and enabled the creation and spread of antisemitic messages and conspiracy theories, too often with deadly ends. While the first panel in the series looked at the problem, this panel will look at how technologists, social scientists, and company leaders are working to solve it.

Senior Representative of Trust & Safety, TikTok

Elizabeth Neumann, Moonshot

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University

Concluding remarks 5:10