Author and journalist Jake Wallis Simons discusses his book 'Israelophobia' in a podcast. They explore the left's problem with Israel and reality, debunk the apartheid claim, and discuss the blend of far-left and radical Islamists in protests.
Israelophobia, a form of anti-Semitism directed towards Israel, has been fueled by a combination of Soviet propaganda and the rise of identity politics.
The accusation of Israel being an apartheid state is a distortion of reality, as Israel is a multicultural society with Arab Israelis holding high-level positions and representing the national football team.
The protests in support of the Palestinians have displayed open support for Hamas and calls for jihad, creating concerns about extremism and the need for stronger measures to prevent incitement.
Deep dives
The impact of Soviet propaganda and identity politics on modern Israelophobia
Israelophobia, a form of anti-Semitism directed towards Israel, has been fueled by a combination of Soviet propaganda and the rise of identity politics. The Soviet Union propagated lies about Israel being a white supremacist state, perpetrating genocide, and being a colonialist state. These false narratives have taken hold and are now widespread. Additionally, the racialized identity politics imported from America has led to an obsession with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a skewed perception of power dynamics. Jews are often simultaneously seen as subhuman and superhuman, perceived as cunning conspirators who control global events. This unique form of racism makes it difficult for people to recognize their own anti-Semitic beliefs. The combination of propaganda, identity politics, and social media has fueled the rise of Israelophobia, especially among the younger generation.
The distorted perception of Israel as an apartheid state
The accusation of Israel being an apartheid state is a distortion of reality. Israel is a multicultural society with Arab Israelis serving as judges, holding high-level positions in banks, and representing the national football team. On the other hand, the Palestinian territories and neighboring countries display clear signs of apartheid, with no Jews living there and anti-Semitic ideologies prevalent. The Soviet Union played a role in spreading this false narrative of Israeli apartheid. Many people who perpetuate this belief lack knowledge about Israel's demographics and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The dangerous impact of extremist protests and support for Hamas
The protests in support of the Palestinians have exhibited open support for Hamas and calls for jihad. Such expressions are criminal and fuel the cause of extremism. Leaders of these protests have ties to Hamas, and the marches create pressure on Israel to stop defending its people. The convergence of loony leftists and radical Islamists in these protests is concerning. While it is important to differentiate between peaceful protesters and extremists, there is a need for stronger measures to prevent incitement and penalize criminal behavior within these demonstrations.
Shifting public opinion and the complex landscape of support for Israel
Public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is divided and influenced by various factors. Recent polling suggests that support for Israel is evenly split, with political affiliations playing a significant role in one's stance. Conservative voters tend to support Israel, while Labour voters lean towards supporting the Palestinians. The coverage of civilian suffering in Gaza has affected public sentiment, but the presence of extremism on the streets, coupled with calls for jihad and support from figures like Hezbollah's leader, has also influenced perceptions. The shifting landscape of public opinion makes it challenging to predict the direction it will take in the future.
The persistence of anti-Semitism and the struggle against it
Anti-Semitism remains persistent and has evolved over time. The historical roots of anti-Semitism can be traced to religious and scientific justifications. The unique nature of anti-Semitism lies in the belief that Jews are simultaneously powerful and malevolent, capable of hiding their true intentions. Jews have often been scapegoated and blamed for societal ills. The fight against anti-Semitism requires understanding its historical origins and the various forms it takes, as well as promoting education, awareness, and dialogue to combat ignorance and prejudice.
This week on The Knight Tube, Stephen Knight (@GSpellchecker) speaks to Author, Journalist and editor of The Jewish Chronicle, Jake Wallis Simons about his book ‘Israelophobia’.
0:00 Intro 0:32 About Jake 2:03 Why the title of ‘Israelophobia’ for Jake’s book? 3:49 Disagreement with David Baddiel 8:18 Israel and the power dynamic 9:40 The left’s problem with Israel and reality 11:40 The problem of Jeremy Corbyn 12:29 Does Keir Starmer understand the problem? 17:08 People who take a position of neutrality on the conflict 19:53 Israel screening footage of Hamas’s atrocities for journalists. 22:04 Islamist and Arab support for Israel from within Israel 28:32 Is Israel an ‘apartheid state’? 34:48 History repeating itself and younger generations 41:36 Is antisemitism a unique form of racism? 45:22 Pro-Palestine marches and freedom of expression 51:46 Are more people openly supporting Israel now?
