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Watch the panels online from Day 1 HERE and Day 2 HERE.
Symposium on the Protocols of the Elders of Zion:
120 Years of Antisemitic Propaganda and Conspiracy
The Center for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University is pleased to announce the two-day conference, “Symposium on the Protocols of the Elders of Zion: 120 Years of Antisemitic Propaganda and Conspiracy.” The symposium will mark the 120th 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. Notable speakers include but are not limited to Dr. Steven Zipperstein, the Daniel E. Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University, Mike Rothschild, author of “Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy,” and Oren Segal, Vice President of the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League.
When: April 24-25, 2023
Where: Copley Formal Lounge | Georgetown University
RSVP REQUIRED to all or part of the conference here.
Schedule of Events
Day 1 – The Protocols of the Elders of Zion: The Perennial Conspiracy
8:40 AM WELCOME FROM ORGANIZERS
Joel Hellman, Dean of the School of Foreign Service
Bruce Hoffman, Director of the Center for Jewish Civilization
Emily Blout, Georgetown University, Symposium Director
9:00 AM OPENING KEYNOTE
Michael Hagemeister, University of Bochum
Steven Zipperstein, Stanford University
10:45 AM PANEL 1 – WHY THE JEWS?
Moderator: Bruce Hoffman, Georgetown University
This roundtable looks at how the Protocols fit into the larger study of antisemitism and hate.
Aaron Keyak, Deputy Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, U.S. Department of State
Ira Forman, Georgetown University
Pamela Nadell, American University
Izabella Tabarovsky, Woodrow Wilson Center
12:30 PM LUNCH KEYNOTE – THE ROTHSCHILDS AND 200 YEARS OF CONSPIRACY
Mike Rothschild, author of “Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy”
1:30 PM PANEL 2 – THE GLOBAL CAREER OF THE PROTOCOLS
Moderator: Emily Blout, Georgetown University
This panel traces the origins and historic propagation of the Protocols globally and the cross-pollination of ideas and narratives.
Henryk Baran, State University of New York, Albany
Jacob Kovalio, Carleton University
Yigal Carman, Middle East Media Research Institute
Kirsten Fermaglich, Michigan State University
3:30 PM PANEL 3 – THE LIE THAT WILL NEVER DIE: THE CONFOUNDING STAYING POWER OF THE JEWISH WORLD CONSPIRACY MYTH AND THE CONSPIRATORIAL JEW
Moderator: Anna Sommer, Georgetown University
This panel problematizes the enduring frame of the conspiratorial Jew.
Alvin Rosenfeld, Indiana University
Steve Jacobs, University of Alabama
Mark Weitzman, World Jewish Restitution Organization
5:00 PM CONCLUDING REMARKS
Emily Blout, Georgetown University
5:30 PM RECEPTION
Day 2 – The Protocols in Practice: Contemporary Echoes
8:40 AM WELCOMING REMARKS
Bruce Hoffman, Director of the Center for Jewish Civilization
8:45 AM PANEL 1 – PROPAGANDA AND CONSPIRACY ON THE WEB
Moderator: Patrick Burkart, Texas A&M University
This panel talks 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
10:30 AM PANEL 2 – ON THE FRONTLINES OF THE FIGHT AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
Moderator: Marie Harf, Georgetown University
This roundtable looks at the Jewish community’s response to rampant antisemitism in America.
Oren Segal, VP, Center on Extremism, Anti-Defamation League
Holly Huffnagle, US Director for Combating Antisemitism, American Jewish Committee
Gil Preuss, President, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, DC
12:15 PM LUNCH ROUNDTABLE – OVERCOMING ANTISEMITISM AND ANTI-ZIONISM: THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS
Moderator: Bruce Hoffman, Georgetown University
This panel analyzes how historic accords between Israel and Arab states served to help combat antisemitism worldwide.
Dennis Ross, Georgetown University
Ed Husain, Georgetown University
Michael Doran, Hudson Institute
2:00 PM PANEL 3 – WHAT IS TO BE DONE: THE DANGER TO DEMOCRACY AND CHALLENGE FOR PRACTITIONERS
Moderator: Vlad Khaykin, Anti-Defamation League
This panel considers the tactical and strategic use of anti-Jewish propaganda and conspiracy narratives by state and non-state actors and the implications for national security.
John T. Picarelli, Director for Counterterrorism, National Security Council, White House
Seamus Hughes, Program on Extremism, George Washington University
David A. Weinberg, Protect Democracy
3:45 PM PANEL 4 – WHAT IS TO BE DONE, PART 2: THE CHALLENGE AND PROMISE OF TECHNOLOGY
Moderator: Dan Byman, Georgetown University
This panel considers the double-edged sword of networked communication technology, where powerful platforms have enabled and inspired communication, collaboration, and creation unimaginable just a decade ago.
Justin Erlich, TikTok
Elizabeth Neumann, Moonshot
Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University
5:15 PM CONCLUDING REMARKS
Emily Blout, Georgetown University