The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie Brendan O'Neill: The West Went Insane After October 7
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Dec 4, 2024 
Brendan O'Neill, chief political writer for Spiked and author of "After the Pogrom," dives into the fallout from the October 7 Hamas attacks. He critiques the extreme left's embrace of Hamas, reflecting on historical shifts from secular nationalism to religious extremism. O'Neill discusses the complexities of cultural symbols like the keffiyeh and the misconceptions of Israel's identity. With a personal political evolution from Trotskyism to libertarianism, he underscores the need for increased individual power against societal constraints.
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Shifting Support for Anti-Semitism
- The hard left's support for Hamas contrasts sharply with historical patterns, where the right typically expressed anti-Semitism.
- This shift highlights an unexpected alignment between progressives and a group known for violence against Jews.
Hamas's True Nature
- Hamas deceptively portrays itself as a national liberation movement while actively pursuing the extermination of Jews.
- Their actions on October 7th fulfilled the genocidal intent outlined in their 1988 covenant.
Hamas's Religious Extremism
- Hamas, similar to ISIS, exhibits religious extremism and opposes modernity.
- The group's shift from secular nationalism to religious extremism reflects a broader trend in some parts of the Middle East.