A Psychologist Breaks Down Why People Hate Jews

What drives antisemitism—and why are conspiracy theories so often at its core?Rabbi Daniel Levine speaks with Rutgers psychology professor Dr. Kent Harber about the psychological origins of antisemitism, conspiratorial thinking, and the relationship between anti-Zionism and anti-Jewish prejudice.Drawing on experimental social psychology and new longitudinal research, Dr. Harber explains why people become more vulnerable to conspiracy theories during periods of fear, uncertainty, social isolation, and personal insecurity. They explore why Jews have historically been portrayed not merely as an “outsider” group, but as a secretive and powerful force supposedly manipulating politics, finance, society, and world events.The conversation also examines groundbreaking research into the overlap between antisemitism and anti-Israel attitudes. Across three studies, researchers found that conspiracy beliefs formed the critical bridge between traditional anti-Jewish prejudice and later hostility toward Israel. Their findings suggest that antisemitism transmitted through conspiracy thinking accounted for approximately 55% of the anti-Israel attitudes measured—while stopping short of claiming that every criticism of Israel or every anti-Zionist position is antisemitic.Topics include:• Why humans are drawn to conspiracy theories• The connection between insecurity, fear, and conspiratorial thinking• Why antisemitism uniquely portrays a vulnerable minority as secretly powerful• The historical psychology of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories• The relationship between antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israel activism• How conspiracy beliefs connect anti-Jewish and anti-Israel attitudes• Campus antisemitism before and after October 7• The difference between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitic hostility• The IHRA definition of antisemitism• Antisemitism within psychology, academia, and social-justice movements• What universities and institutions can do to recognize anti-Jewish discriminationCan anti-Zionism function as a socially acceptable outlet for antisemitism? Can criticism of Israel remain entirely separate from prejudice against Jews? And what does the scientific evidence actually show?Watch the full conversation, share your perspective in the comments, and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions about Judaism, Israel, Jewish history, psychology, politics, and contemporary antisemitism.#Antisemitism #AntiZionism #ConspiracyTheories #Israel #JewishHistory #Psychology #SocialPsychology #October7 #CampusAntisemitism #Zionism #JewishPodcast #IHRA