Israel

Trauma significantly impacts both individuals and collectives, as seen in the Jewish experience during the Holocaust. Survivors endured long-lasting psychological effects, including PTSD and anxiety, which also affected subsequent generations. This collective trauma shaped the Jewish identity, particularly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, where a pervasive fear of annihilation influenced national attitudes and policies. Surrounded by hostile neighbors, Israel faced multiple conflicts, including the Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War, and ongoing violence with Palestinian groups, further reinforcing collective trauma and fears. This cycle illustrates the self-fulfilling prophecy of fear: anticipatory defensiveness prompted aggressive actions, provoking further hostility and violence. Despite these challenges, Israel not only survived but also thrived, becoming known for its technological advancements and economic success. With a robust high-tech sector and military sophistication, Israel stands among the world's most developed nations. The interplay of trauma and survival illustrates the complex dynamics of security and identity, underscoring how historical experiences shape present realities and responses.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has initiated investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli officials amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, specifically targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their roles in actions against Gaza since October 2023. Charges include using starvation as warfare, attacking civilians, and imposing collective punishment. The ICC affirmed its jurisdiction over these cases involving Palestinian territory. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with over 51,000 Palestinians reported killed and many more injured. The ongoing blockade has led to severe shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies, with the UN declaring it the worst humanitarian disaster in recent history. Many families face displacement and lack access to basic healthcare. The two-state solution, a key focus of international diplomacy, aims to establish a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel within pre-1967 borders, addressing critical issues like mutual recognition and security. The United Nations emphasizes that lasting peace can only be achieved through compromise. From a religious standpoint, the hope for peace is deeply rooted in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, envisioning a future of security and coexistence for Israel.

Israel has seen a significant drop in support from Western European nations, particularly after the escalation of its military operations in Gaza since late 2023. A poll by Morning Consult revealed declining favorability for Israel in 42 out of 43 countries, with the UK, Germany, and France showing sharp declines. This shift has prompted public protests and critical statements from European leaders, indicating frustration with Israel's actions. Under the Biden administration, skepticism towards Israel has increased, with President Biden warning that Israel is “starting to lose global support” due to its military tactics. The Israeli government's policies contradict the American and European vision for peace, particularly its rejection of a two-state solution. Specific Israeli actions—such as military operations in Gaza, settlement expansion, and violations of international law—are fundamentally at odds with European democratic and humanitarian principles. In contrast, during the Trump administration, Israel received unprecedented support, highlighted by actions like recognizing Jerusalem as its capital and the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations with Arab states without requiring concessions on Palestinian rights. This previous support has now shifted, resulting in European calls for sanctions and a reevaluation of EU-Israel relations amidst growing discontent.

The comparative analysis highlights the ideological parallels between right extremism in Israel, Trumpism in the U.S., and Nazi Germany’s political doctrine, focusing on ultra-nationalism, supremacy, and exclusion. All three movements uphold a belief in the superiority of their respective groups—Jews in Israel, white Christians in Trumpism, and Aryans in Nazi ideology—while marginalizing others, particularly non-Jewish minorities and ethnic groups. Rhetorically, they employ strategies that demonize perceived threats, using grievance narratives to unify their bases and justify policies. The ideological convergence between radical Zionism and Nazi notions of ethnic purity reveals a shared belief in the impossibility of coexistence and the necessity for segregation or removal of perceived outsiders. Historical connections, such as the cooperation between some Zionist leaders and Nazi officials, underscore this alignment. Leadership figures Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler exemplify this ethno-nationalist agenda, promoting policies that prioritize their groups while enforcing exclusionary measures against others. Both leaders have positioned themselves as defenders of their nations, justifying aggressive policies under the guise of existential threats, thereby facilitating a dangerous framework centered on supremacy and exclusion.

Right-wing extremism in Israel has significantly escalated over the past 25 years, particularly after the failure of peace initiatives in the early 2000s and the return of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December 2022. The alignment of far-right parties, like Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit, led to a right-wing majority in the 2022 elections, bringing supremacist and anti-Arab ideologies into the governing coalition. With approximately two-thirds of younger Jewish Israelis identifying as right-wing and nearly half supporting the expulsion of Palestinian citizens, extremist views have gained mainstream acceptance. Netanyahu’s political strategy includes empowering far-right elements, allowing figures like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to occupy influential ministerial roles, which has facilitated a push for policies that jeopardize democratic values and minority rights. This shift has strained Israel's international relations, particularly with traditional allies like the U.S. and Europe, due to concerns over democratic erosion. The government's security policies prioritize Jewish sovereignty over coexistence, leading to increased military actions and violence against Palestinians. Domestically, the rightward shift has eroded civil rights and democratic norms, undermining the judiciary and curtailing freedoms, contributing to a more repressive political environment.