The Lie at the Center of Antisemitism, with Dara Horn

Antisemitism functions not as a generic form of bigotry, but as a persistent, functional lie employed by power-seekers to scapegoat Jews as destroyers of cherished societal values. Dara Horn, author of *The Final Solution to the Jewish Question*, argues that Jewish civilization acts as an inherently anti-tyrannical, countercultural force, which historically triggers hostility from authoritarian movements. Rather than engaging in reactive debunking that traps Jews in a defensive, subordinate position, effective resistance requires "pre-bunking"—arming the public with historical context and critical thinking to recognize these patterns. The current "null curriculum" in American education, which often restricts Jewish history to the Holocaust, exacerbates this ignorance by erasing the agency and endurance of Jewish culture. Consequently, fostering curiosity and understanding the specific, non-assimilated nature of the Jewish people remains the most viable path toward countering institutionalized prejudice.