In the year following the attacks of October 7, 2023, the most significant impact observed in the United States from Israel’s conflict in Gaza was the disruption it caused within the Democratic Party. This situation exacerbated existing tensions between pro-Israel Democratic elites and pro-Palestinian progressive activists, pushing party unity to the brink of impossibility. This division left Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign in a particularly precarious position, caught trying to bridge a widening gap.
As the war entered its second year, the divisions within liberal circles persisted, but fractures began to emerge on the right as well. Although most Republican leaders continued their strong support for Israel, a different sentiment brewed on the fringes — among younger, anti-establishment individuals with a penchant for online conspiracy theories. Here, troubling narratives about Jewish influence on Western politics, ranging from World War II revisionism to tales casting figures like Jeffrey Epstein as pawns of the Mossad, were gaining traction.
These aren’t yet open conflicts like what we witnessed within the Democratic Party, but as Zack Beauchamp from Vox notes, there’s a brand of what he terms “pro-Israel antisemitism” on the rise. This perspective segregates Jewish individuals into favorable groups (those who are conservative or Israeli) and unfavorable ones (those who are liberal or anti-populist, often framed as anti-Trump), supporting Israel’s right-wing government while still giving room to the antisemitic undertones that signal the fringe that the right side with them.
This notion may describe the strange coalition politics of far-right parties in Europe, such as Germany’s Alternative for Germany. In the United States, figures like Donald Trump apply this divisive logic to Jewish Americans, classifying them as allies or adversaries based on their stance toward him.
However, for the main body of the Republican Party, Beauchamp’s framework overlooks a key contradiction. The deep-rooted pro-Israel stance within American conservatism is not merely a strategic alliance in support of Likud-like nationalism or in opposition to Muslim immigration in Europe. Instead, it’s entrenched in a philosemitic tradition that stems from religious convictions and historical experiences, especially post-World War II realizations about complicity in atrocities.
The evangelical Christian sub-cultures that often fuel this philosemitism, seeing Israel as central to the biblical end times, understandably make some Jews wary. Yet, for most conservative American Christians, this support is earnest, rooted in what they consider a biblical directive rather than just opposition to progressive forces. Furthermore, influential Zionist Republicans like Ben Shapiro, himself a devout Jew, defy the label of “pro-Israel antisemite.”
Meanwhile, segments of the alienated right wing comfortably indulge in antisemitic rhetoric, genuinely subscribing to theories about Israel’s detrimental influence on America and portraying Israeli entities as pernicious forces. Take, for instance, Ian Carroll, a YouTuber who has shared his controversial views on platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast, claiming that Zionism is at America’s core problems. His stance is an outright rejection of any pro-Israel stance disguised as antisemitism.
Reconciling this mix with mainstream Republicans’ pro-Israel politics seems improbable. Yet, this issue alone may not immediately shatter conservatism. Diverse conspiracy theories have long coexisted within political coalitions without dominating voter consideration. Moreover, sentiments critical of Israel have lingered within progressive circles for years, often without significant impact on Democratic leadership.
Trump’s transactional approach towards Israel might offer a glimpse into possible adaptation strategies for Republicans contending with disaffected members in what is largely a pro-Israel party. His administration’s willingness to pressure Israeli leaders diverges from other Republican tendencies and might appeal to those who critique Israeli policies without fully aligning with extreme views.
Ultimately, real-world events, including the ongoing Gaza conflict and the broader trajectory of the Trump era, will influence these dynamics. Populism, with its inherent conspiratorial slant, predisposes its followers to suspect hidden powers whenever circumstances don’t align with their expectations. Should challenges arise, such as economic downturns or foreign policy missteps, unmet by expected outcomes, these movements may seek new narratives or culprits to explain their discontent.
Among the most disillusioned Americans, antisemitic narratives often serve as a convenient fallback, providing a scapegoat when other explanations fall short. This pattern highlights the ever-present danger that these prejudices pose in times of national and political uncertainty.
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