Introduction: Hate and absurdity: The impact of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion

As a forgery and a construct of antisemitism, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (hereafter, the Protocols²) has attracted the interest of politicians and academicians, and generated extensive research. Attempts have been made to identify the roots of the document, analyze it in a historico-political context, and examine its abiding reception and dissemination, as well as its influence and exploitation.³ Yet, an enigmatic aspect remains, and in spite of the many critical studies the questions raised by historian of antisemitism Richard Levy are still valid: “Why has the Protocols seized the imagination and informed the political judgment of men and women throughout the twentieth century? Why did it survive to the present day and what are the sources from which it draws its strength?"⁴ To these one can add others: Why is “the abstract Jew” such an ideal instrument for conspiracy theories in so many languages and diverse cultures - ranging from Europe to Japan and from North America to the Arab/Muslim world? What significance do the Protocols have today in mainstream worldviews? Are they gaining in importance? Are they still today a warrant for genocide or merely a reflection of xenophobic nationalism? Can they be fought by logical argumentation?.