When Misinformation & Hate Converge: Antisemitism and its Role in Anti-immigrant Rhetoric 

Since French author Renaud Camus first coined the phrase “the great replacement” in 2011, it has been adopted by antisemites to trumpet the false claim that non-white minorities are deliberately replacing white Europeans through immigration facilitated by Jews (frequently identified in these conspiracies as “the global elite”).  

In the U.S., The Great Replacement Theory showed up in the 2016 presidential election; in Charlottesville with white supremacists chanting “Jews will not replace us;” and as the foundation of the antisemitism illustrated in the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack.   

Join us to examine how the deadly interplay of The Great Replacement Theory and antisemitism are reflected in the way that political candidates frame their perspectives on immigration policy — and on how it impacts HIAS’ work. 

Featured Speakers Include: 

• Mark Hetfield, CEO and President, HIAS 

• Eric Ward, Executive Vice President, Race Forward 

• Moderated by Rachel Kranson, Director, Jewish Studies, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Pittsburgh 

This program is the second in a three-part series focusing on immigration policy and history in the lead up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election.