BLUF: Increasing political antagonisms involving Israel’s actions under Prime Minister Netanyahu are igniting a global surge in antisemitism, while the issues around Zionism as a political philosophy versus Judaism as a religion are blurring. Instances of denialism, both on October 7 in Gaza and the January 6 incident in America, contribute to violence and marginalization.
INTELWAR BLUF:
The divisive maneuvers of Israel, under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, are not aiding the uphill battle against global antisemitism but instead inflaming it. In fact, these actions are indirectly supporting a worldwide boycott and sanction movement against Israel. Israel’s heavy-handed approach towards Gaza has pushed the narrative further off-balance. War crimes, committed under the shadow of a conference led by Netanyahu intent on reestablishing settlements in Gaza, stoke the flames of discord. This is made worse by America’s unwavering support for Israel, a stance that seems to be hurting the political prospects of President Joe Biden, even increasing chances of a political resurgence for Donald Trump.
OSINT:
As antisemitism continues to simmer over two millennia, the rise of figures like Donald Trump, known for emboldening authoritarian movements, has made it an even more visible issue in recent years. The intertwining ambitions of Netanyahu and Trump have effectively created an environment enabling their mutual desire for power. In the United States, supposed ‘Great Replacement’ conspiracy theories focus on Jewish Americans, contributing further to the rising antisemitism. The refusal to distinguish between Zionism and Judaism fuels the cycle of prejudice, with the former being a political ideology and the latter a faith. The continued crimes of the Israeli government against the Palestinians is pushing more and more Jews to disassociate themselves from Zionism, shining a harsh light on the inadvertent role US Evangelicals play in bolstering support for Israel.
RIGHT:
From a Libertarian Republican Constitutionalist’s perspective, the increasing interference of the state in religious matters, as seen in the blurring of lines between Zionism and Judaism, is highly concerning. The endorsement of Israel’s controversial moves in Gaza by the US Government, largely spurred by the religious views of one subset of American society, raises questions of constitutionality and fair representation. The wielding of antisemitism as a weapon to silence critiques against state action, Israeli or American, undermines free speech and the principles of justice.
LEFT:
For a National Socialist Democrat, the situation spotlights a glaring problem in the international political order where the constant support, both arms and financial, of the United States towards aggressive Israeli policies, under the guise of defending global democracy, ironically impinges on the human rights of Palestinians. Adding to this, the legalistic labyrinth that the Israeli government has created to delegitimize Palestinian claims has steepened the struggle for justice. The concurrent surge in antisemitism and prominence of right-wing authoritarians add an alarming dimension, emphasizing the immediate need for authoritative, yet empathically guided, political intervention.
AI:
A deep-seated issue at hand is the confusion between Zionism and Judaism: the former is a political philosophy, while the latter is a religious belief system. The intentional fostering or ignorant perpetuation of this confusion indirectly aids in fuelling global antisemitism. Furthermore, complete denial of objectively harmful actions, such as war crimes in Gaza or atrocities on October 7, harm efforts to build peace and mutual respect. Truthful recognition of these events is essential for progression. It is also crucial to recognize and address the global impact of specific national incidents, such as the denialism surrounding the events of January 6 and October 7, which have far-reaching effects on societal harmony and safety.