antisemitism

Israel

occupation / innovator as

novelist

radio personality

journalist

nationality

British

editorial columnist

is, for the right-wing nationalist, often paired with a pro-Israel stance because, on the one hand, Israel stands up to a common Muslim enemy and on the other, it serves as a far off country that takes the Jews off their hands.

Others have sought comfort in the fact that Trump has made some positive noises towards Israel, and that Binyamin Netanyahu has given him a friendly welcome. But this is to forget what European Jews learned long ago: that nasty rightwing nationalist can be pro-Israel for reasons utterly alien to Jews' own feelings about the country. So ultra-nationalist might admire Israel either because they see it as standing up to those they deem the Muslim enemy or because they like the idea of a country far away that might take the Jews off their hands. Neither of these sentiments makes them pro-Jewish.

is, for right-wing nationalist, both admired for standing up to the muslim enemy and for existing as a far off country that might take the jews off their hands.

Jonathan Freedland

Authors(0)

Jonathan FreedlandThinkers

Jonathan Freedland