Millions perished in a holocaust fueled by endless wars. The genesis of this tragedy lies in a document not authored by a single Jewish individual. This episode unveils how a century-old forgery ignited the flames of bigotry and hatred that continue to plague our world. We will explore the psychology of conspiracy, the enigmatic force that compels millions to embrace its destructive falsehoods.

We will delve into the depths of the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” the infamous text that inspired Hitler and fueled the Holocaust. We will trace its complex origins, from Tsarist Russia to the darkest corners of the internet, to expose how extremist groups exploit it to disseminate their venom and recruit followers in an intense information war that threatens our collective future. Before presenting the irrefutable facts, we encourage you to share your perspectives in the comments section. Please subscribe to the channel for updates.

The Birth of a Lie: Tsarist Russia

In a weakened Tsarist Russia, facing the looming threat of revolution, a more insidious epidemic spread, surpassing even poverty and injustice. Between 1897 and 1899, within the clandestine corridors of power, the threads of a malevolent conspiracy were meticulously woven. Here, in the heart of the crumbling empire, the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” were being fabricated.

Matvei Golovinski, a Ukrainian journalist and a compliant operative under the control of the secret police, executed orders without hesitation. Under the direct command of Pyotr Rachkovsky, the hidden architect of this conspiracy, Golovinski began compiling the ominous text. The objective was straightforward and terrifying: to redirect the growing public discontent, blame the Jewish population for all threats to Russia’s stability, and unite the populace behind the failing Tsar.

However, these “Protocols” were not a divine revelation or a sacred prophecy. Instead, they were a distorted fabrication, a blatant act of plagiarism derived from Maurice Joly’s “Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu,” a work unrelated to Jewish people. Nevertheless, they were initially circulated in hushed tones within the Russian aristocracy, presented as irrefutable proof of a global Jewish conspiracy aimed at undermining the established order. In 1903, the first printed copies appeared in the newspaper *Znamya*.

From Russia to Nazi Germany: A Lethal Weapon

Like a raging inferno, the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” spread from Tsarist Russia to Nazi Germany, transforming from a mere document into a lethal weapon in the hands of Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader readily embraced this deception, considering it definitive evidence of a global Jewish conspiracy, and deeply embedding it in his book *Mein Kampf* as a cornerstone of his toxic ideology.

Hitler further unleashed a frenzied propaganda campaign in 1935, publishing a booklet entitled “The Protocols… Evidence of Global Jewish Policy,” distributing it widely and intensifying the flames of hatred and incitement. Julius Streicher, the publisher of the vile newspaper *Der Stürmer*, reveled in the depths of incitement, utilizing the “Protocols” in his articles and hateful caricatures, portraying Jews as an existential threat to Germany, a malignant plague deserving of extermination.

In his impassioned speeches, Hitler consistently cited this forged document as proof of the Jews’ secret plans to destroy Aryan civilization, instilling terror and hatred in the hearts of Germans, and paving the way for the most heinous crime in human history: the Holocaust. Even during the Nuremberg trials, the defeated Nazis audaciously presented it as justification for their atrocious actions.

A Global Pandemic of Hate

From the heart of Tsarist Russia, where the seeds of this alleged conspiracy were sown, the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” embarked on an ominous global journey, carrying with them the winds of suspicion and poisonous sedition. In 1903, the Russian newspaper *Znamya*, under the direction of Pavel Krushevan, was the first to publish the Russian translation of this malicious document, igniting the already raging fires of anti-Semitism.

It was not long before the “Protocols” transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries like a virus. By 1920, they had been translated into German, English, French, Arabic, and Spanish, attracting adherents among fanatics and opportunists worldwide. In the United States, Henry Ford, a prominent figure in the automotive industry, widely published them in his newspaper, *The Dearborn Independent*, poisoning the minds of thousands of readers.

Fortunately, the truth was soon revealed. In 1921, *The Times* of London exposed the falsity of this infamous document, confirming that it was a blatant forgery inspired by an earlier literary work. However, this undeniable truth failed to halt its continued dissemination.

In the 1930s, the Nazis found in the “Protocols” an ideal propaganda tool to serve their nefarious purposes. Julius Streicher, and Hitler himself, shamelessly used them to justify their heinous crimes against the Jewish people, blatantly disregarding the fact that they were mere fabrications with no basis in reality.

The Protocols in the Arab World

In the Arab world, during the 1950s and 1960s, the “Protocols” spread rapidly, finding fertile ground in the rise of Arab nationalism. They were not merely a translation of a foreign text, but became an integral part of political discourse, and a sharp instrument in a broader ideological conflict. In the early 1920s, the first Arabic translation emerged in Egypt and Syria, sowing seeds of doubt and suspicion in people’s minds.

Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Mufti of Jerusalem, readily used them to fuel hatred, accusing the Jewish people of conspiring to control the world, in documented speeches and official correspondence. Gamal Abdel Nasser followed the same path, distributing copies of them to the Free Officers Movement in 1951 to justify his staunch opposition to Israel, considering them conclusive evidence of malicious intent.

The “Protocols” were not confined to the corridors of the political elite, but seeped like a slow poison into the streets through various media outlets. The Egyptian newspaper *Al-Ahram*, for example, published excerpts from them periodically in the 1950s and 1960s, presenting them as a revealing exposé of secret Zionist plans. During the 1967 war, Arab radio stations transformed into noisy propaganda platforms, using the “Protocols” to distort Israel’s image before the world and mobilize public opinion.

The Digital Age: A Resurgence of Hate

The danger persists. In this digital age, the “Protocols” have become a virus that spreads with alarming speed. In 2020, the Anti-Defamation League recorded a staggering 50% increase in mentions of them on social media, including sarcastic images, malicious propaganda videos, and even entire accounts created specifically to disseminate these toxic lies.

In 2021 alone, Facebook removed over a thousand accounts and groups spreading these falsehoods, but they remain a mere drop in a vast ocean of misinformation. Even more concerning, official television channels, as occurred in Egypt during Ramadan in 2017, rebroadcast these “Protocols” on television screens, reaching millions of unsuspecting viewers.

Most alarmingly, a poll conducted in several Arab countries in 2014 revealed that the majority of participants believe that the “Protocols” are true, or may be true. The potential consequences are devastating. They are no longer simply fleeting conspiracy theories, but deeply ingrained convictions passed down through generations. These entrenched beliefs become fuel for hatred and a justification for violence.

The Psychology of Deception

Why do these falsehoods take root so deeply? What accounts for the acceptance of ideas that contradict logic and demonstrable truth? The answer lies in the complexities of the human psyche. Confirmation bias, the innate tendency to seek information that reinforces pre-existing beliefs, plays a crucial role. We selectively disregard evidence that contradicts our convictions, while clinging to information that confirms them, even if demonstrably false.

The Dunning-Kruger effect, the paradox where less competent individuals overestimate their knowledge and abilities, renders them vulnerable to misinformation and deception. They believe they possess absolute truth, while in reality they are far from it, trapped in a delusion of knowledge.

In a world characterized by complexity and overwhelming chaos, conspiracy theories, including the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” offer a simplified and appealing explanation of current events. They serve as an adaptive mechanism, a primitive attempt to regain a false sense of control in a world that seems uncontrollable. A 2009 study by psychologist Jean-Pierre Bastard revealed that individuals experiencing feelings of powerlessness and social marginalization are most susceptible to these theories. Furthermore, the effect of repetition, a simple yet effective tactic, can make a falsehood appear truthful over time.

Fighting Back Against the Lies

What can be done to counter this rising tide of falsehoods? A story of hope emerges. In 1913, before the “Protocols” could take hold, the Anti-Defamation League was founded, a bastion for defending truth and combating anti-Semitism and defamation.

Today, we have numerous tools at our disposal. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s “Remember Me” project preserves the testimonies of survivors, serving as a permanent and powerful reminder of the horrors of the past, and challenging denial. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance unites countries and organizations to promote Holocaust education and develop clear definitions of anti-Semitism.

In the digital realm, social media platforms are attempting to use algorithms to detect hate speech, although their effectiveness remains limited. NewsGuard provides a valuable service by rating news sites, helping us distinguish between truth and falsehood. A United Nations resolution condemns Holocaust denial and