How the USA and Israel compare on the spectrum of fascism

The US and Israel are evaluated on ten defining characteristics of fascism, revealing disturbing similarities and critical differences, writes Dr Mark Diesendorf.

To discuss this issue seriously, we need a clear definition of fascism. However, short dictionary-type definitions fail to distinguish fascism from brutal dictatorships.

Are there features of fascism that would allow us to identify, for example, Italian fascism? Mussolini under German fascism HitlerComparing the degrees of fascism between countries despite some differences?

Historian and writer Rutger Bregman Based on his knowledge of Nazi Germany, he proposed ten characteristics of a fascist state (see below). clearly and distinctly videoBregman makes a clinical diagnosis and finds that the United States is under the rule of the President. Embers It meets all ten characteristics of a fascist state like the former Nazi Germany.

There is little debate among serious scholars that Israel has practiced settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, apartheid (in the West Bank), and crimes against humanity since its founding in 1948. Recently, most genocide experts United Nations Special Rapporteurscommunity-based charities and even two Israeli human rights organizations We added genocide to that terrible list. So, is the term “fascism” appropriate for Israel?

It accompanies the controversial “working definition” of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IRA) expression:

‘…criticism of Israel similar to criticism of any other country cannot be considered antisemitic.’

In the current article, ‘any other country’ It was chosen as USA. This article analyzes the extent to which Israel has become a fascist state by applying to Israel the ten characteristics of fascism that Bregman applied to the United States. This analysis therefore cannot reliably be called “anti-Semitic” from the IHRA’s perspective.

How “advanced” has Israel been on Bregman’s ten characteristics of fascism?

1. Legendary past

Like Nazi Germany (Master Race) and the United States (Make America Great Again), Israeli leaders also evoke a mythical past; in this case, Israel and the Jewish people are “chosen by God.” However, there is a long-standing debate within Judaism about the meaning, interpretation, and contemporary relevance of the idea that the Jewish people are “chosen.”

Moreover, the Zionist claim that Jews have a historical right to Palestine is controversial among historians, political philosophers, and scholars of international law.

2. Victimization and revenge

Drawing on the genuine neglect of the working classes, Trump invented a victimhood for white, male, heterosexual, uneducated Americans, thus allowing them to exact revenge through acts of violence. storming of the capitol On January 6, 2021.

The mistreatment and suffering inflicted on Jews for millennia is real and well documented; This underpins the idea that Israel is forever a victim and can now seek brutal revenge by any means possible.

3. Hierarchy

Trump treats white Americans as superior and calling immigrants “Animals… poison the blood of the nation”. While many Jewish Zionists see themselves as God’s chosen people, Israel, like the United States, sees itself above international law. Some Israeli politicians call the Palestinians “animals”.

4. Power of worship; disrespect for weakness

This feature is shared by Nazi Germany, the post-World War II United States, and Israel. They all started a war. They all reject international law. Internally, all three practiced a form of apartheid.

5. The cult of action replacing democracy

Fascists believe democratic processes are weak and slow. Nazi Germany and Trump’s USA replaced democracy with obedience to the executive government. Trump encouraged the insurrection on January 6, 2021. The Israeli Government is attacking one of the roots of democracy: despite 29 weeks of protests, it passed the law in 2023, the first step in strengthening the judiciary. Subject to legal enforcement.

6. Great Leader and savior

For both Hitler and much of the US population, Trump plays this role. But, two-thirds of Israelis Prime Minister wants Benjamin Netanyahu quit politics. Unlike Trump, he is not a Great Leader.

7. Purification of institutions

Loyalty to the leader overrides democratic institutions, which must be purified by dismantling state institutions and removing potentially suspicious individuals from the remaining institutions. While this was the norm in Nazi Germany and Trump’s United States, in Israel only a few people (such as teachers) were fired for opposing government policies.

Large demonstrations against the government were allowed as long as they did not obstruct traffic. However, the protests of Israeli Arab citizens were met with harshness.

8. Propaganda and lies

While most mass media in Israel, the US and Australia reproduce Israeli and US government propaganda about Palestine, Israeli newspaper Haaretz has somehow managed to remain an icon of responsible journalism.

Yet Israel is waging a massive, well-financed propaganda campaign both domestically and internationally. He was successful in eliminating the “enemy” US Representatives and Senators. Another propaganda success is unfounded (see also Here) claims that on October 7, 2023, Hamas beheaded babies and carried out systematic rape (though indirect evidence sexual assaults).

9. Merger of state and corporate power

The power of the military-industrial complex in the USA has increased rapidly since the President Eisenhower coined the term and took over the state. The Israeli Government has close relationships with private companies, especially regarding weapons, cybersecurity and surveillance.

10. Violence and terrorism

Masked agents of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the agency kidnaps and occasionally kills people with impunity. Israel Defense ForcesTargets Palestinians supported by Israeli Government civilians and civilian infrastructure (see also Here And Here) – hospitals, refugee camps, schools, universities, energy and water supplies and sewage facilities – by missiles, bombs, artillery and sniper fire. He tortures prisoners.

These methods are directed against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as neighboring Lebanon, Syria and Iran. Assassinations of political leaders and “enemy” scientists are standard tactics.

Argument

Unlike the United States, which meets all ten of Bregman’s characteristics of fascism, Israel meets six characteristics (numbers one, two, three, four, eight, and ten) and partially meets the other two (numbers five and nine). Fortunately, Israel does not have a Great (fascist) Leader, and although its government has gained power over the judiciary, it has not yet “purified” its institutions.

This suggests that it may not be too late for the growing number of Israelis who oppose their government’s policies and illegal actions, backed by external pressure, to step back from fascism and its behavior as a rogue state.

Dr Mark Diesendorf is Honorary Associate Professor of Environment and Society at UNSW Sydney and co-author with Rod Taylor.The Path to a Sustainable Civilization‘ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024).

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