More bad news for Britain

As Brexit is getting closer, political disintegration seems to continue in Britain. Jeremy Hosking, a multimillionaire financier, has registered a new party Brexit Express in order to support “hard Brexit” – the move increases the risk that the Conservative Party may split (1). Today seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party. According to them, the British politics is “broken” and the Labour Party has been taken over by “hard left.” They also criticized the leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, as well as “antisemitism” and “racism” in the party. (2) One of the defectors, Luciana Berger, accused Labour Party of “institutional antisemitism” (3). Another defector, Angela Smith, caused a racism row by saying that members of ethnic minorities are of a “funny tinge” (4).

The British organization Hope not Hate published their annual “State of Hate Report.” According to the report, “Britain is increasingly divided and that is likely to increase” whatever happens with Brexit. There is also a growing risk of far right terrorism and increasing support for far right. The report also states that “anti-Muslim prejudice has replaced immigration as the key driver of far right growth”, but also attitudes towards immigration “are deteriorating.” The report also pays attention to the antisemitism problem in the Labour Party. On the other hand, Islamophobia seems to have become a significant problem in the Conservative Party. According to the report, “49% of 2017 Conservative voters think that Islam is incompatible to the British way of life and 47% think there are no go areas in Britain where sharia law dominates and non-Muslims cannot enter.” (5)

References:

1) “No-dealers dig in for a fresh battle amid fears of Tory split” The Guardian 17.2.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/17/no-deal-brexiters-tory-split-conservative-multimillionaire-donor-new-party

2) “In their own words: why seven MPs are quitting Labour” The Guardian 18.2.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/18/in-their-own-words-why-seven-mps-are-quitting-labour-independent-group

3) “MP says UK Labour is ‘institutionally anti-Semitic’ as 7 lawmakers quit party” The Times of Israel 18.2.2019

https://www.timesofisrael.com/mp-says-uks-labour-institutionally-anti-semitic-as-7-lawmakers-quit-party/

4) “Britain’s newest political group isn’t even a day old. It’s already been accused of racism” The Washington Post 18.2.2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/02/18/britains-newest-political-group-isnt-even-day-old-its-already-accused-racism/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4b46f4e89b8d

5) “State of Hate Report 2019” – Hope not Hate 17.2.2019

https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/research/state-of-hate-report-2019/

Israel’s cooperation with European right-wing populists and far right

The Guardian reported today that antisemitism has been rising sharply in Europe. According to French historian Marc Knobel, during the past two decades the amount of antisemitic attacks has risen whenever there have been tensions in the Middle East. He said that “rather than attacking Israelis, people went for Jews.” Frédéric Potier of the French government’s anti-racism and antisemitism body Dilcrah said that more traditional forms of antisemitism are also starting to re-emerge and it is due to “the resurgence of a virulent, far-right identity politics.” (1)

However, Israel has also been building cooperation with European right-wing populists and far right for years. Nick Cohen reported in the British newspaper The Jewish Chronicle in 2011 that Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, talked 20 minutes with Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French far-right party the National Front (now the National Rally). Later on Prosor claimed that he hadn’t realized who he talked to. According to Cohen, no one in France or Israel believed the official explanation. Cohen continued:

“…it is safe to assume that elements within the Israeli right are toying with the idea of doing business with elements within the European far right. They reason that, because fascistic or ultra-nationalist movements have turned their hatred from Jews to Muslims, they are now partners they can embrace.” (2)

Danny Shek, Israel’s former ambassador to France, said in 2012:

“What worries me as a Jew and as an Israeli is that more and more Jews find her (i.e. Marine Le Pen) appealing. There is a growing popularity for the primitive formula, ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’.” (3)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had close relationship with Hungary’s right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban in spite of Orban’s aggressive political campaign against Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros and in spite of the fact that Orban has also praised Miklos Horthy who was ruler of Hungary and Nazi collaborator during World War II. When Orban visited Israel last summer, Netanyahu called him “true friend of Israel.” (4, 5)

Even though Israel does not officially accept right-wing extremists as guests, Netanyahu’s Likud Party has received several European far-right visitors. For example, Italy’s post-fascist leader Gianfranco Fini visited Israel at the beginning of 2000s. Matteo Salvini, current Italian Interior Minister and federal secretary of the far-right party Northern League, visited Israel in 2016. (4) Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party FPÖ and current Vice-Chancellor of Austria, has visited Israel several times during recent years (6, 7).

Human rights groups have protested against sale of Israeli weapons to Ukrainian neo-Nazi militia Azov Battalion. Israel has also expressed strong support for Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany AfD. (4) Rafi Eitan, former Israeli minister and Mossad spymaster, sent a video message to AfD:

“We all in Israel appreciate your attitude towards Judaism… I’m sure that if you work wisely, strongly and, most important, realistically … that instead of ‘Alternative for Germany,’ you might become an alternative for all of Europe.”

According to Israeli media reports, Eitan also wrote in German a message on his personal Facebook page:

“…the Muslim world and its culture are very different from those of the West. Anywhere there are Muslims today, in any European country, one can expect violence and terror because of these differences.” (8)

Ramzy Baroud and Romana Rubeo believed in their article last year that Israel has been operating with European right-wing populists and far-right leaders in order to find ways to pressure Europe and the European Union, because European countries have criticized Israel’s actions against Palestinians and, more recently, Israel’s decision to accept the Nation State Law. Baroud and Rubeo wrote:

“The Israeli government seems intent on weakening Europe by investing in existing divisions and offering political validation to groups that, until recently, were on the political fringes.

It hopes that a divided Europe will be more easily controlled and coaxed back into Israel’s loyalty camp.

It remains to be seen whether Israel’s embrace of far-right, neo-Nazi and fascist Europe will pay off, the way its government hopes for, or whether it would backfire…” (4)

References:

1) “Antisemitism rising sharply across Europe, latest figures show” The Guardian 15.2.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/15/antisemitism-rising-sharply-across-europe-latest-figures-show

2) “Ambassador, how you spoil us” The Jewish Chronicle 23.11.2011

https://www.thejc.com/comment/columnists/ambassador-how-you-spoil-us-1.29461

3) “Marine Le Pen: Don’t French Jews get it?” The Jewish Chronicle 26.4.2012

https://www.thejc.com/news/world/marine-le-pen-don-t-french-jews-get-it-1.33041

4) “An unlikely union: Israel and the European far right” Al Jazeera 17.7.2018

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/union-israel-european-180716085952930.html

5) “Netanyahu greets Hungary’s Orban as ‘true friend of Israel’” AP News 19.7.2018

https://www.apnews.com/938bb193c0894691bf42a6457d1fae4c

6) “Far-right Austrian leader visits Israel’s Holocaust memorial” Reuters 12.4.2016

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-austria-strache/far-right-austrian-leader-visits-israels-holocaust-memorial-idUSKCN0X91NX

7) “Austrian far-right leader sympathetic to Israel on Jerusalem recognition” The Times of Israel 11.12.2017

https://www.timesofisrael.com/austrian-far-right-leader-backs-moving-embassy-to-jerusalem-in-sentiment/

8) “Ex-Israeli spymaster, who helped capture Adolf Eichmann, releases video in support of German far-right party” The Washington Post 3.2.2018

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/02/03/ex-israeli-spymaster-who-helped-capture-adolf-eichmann-releases-video-in-support-of-german-far-right-party/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.457cdf9d87d2

President Trump’s eventful campaign rally in Texas

President Trump had, even in his own opinion, an eventful campaign rally in El Paso, Texas, on Monday the 11th. President Trump once again criticized media as well as the Democratic Party, or “radical left.” The lively audience was cheering and booing, and there seemed to be several skirmishes. (1) In one incident Trump supporter attacked BBC cameraman (2). Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, and members of his far-right armed militia were seen in the front row. Rhodes has expressed willingness to train and form an armed militia to do whatever President Trump wants. (3)

References:

1) President Trump’s campaign rally in El Paso, Texas 11.2.2019, link to Fox News video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/do2YCAGPr4E

2) “Trump supporter attacks BBC cameraman at El Paso rally” BBC News 12.2.2019

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47208909

3) “The founder of this extremist armed militia had a front-row seat to Trump’s rally” Media Matters 12.2.2019

https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2019/02/12/founder-extremist-armed-militia-had-front-row-seat-trump-s-rally/222849

The influence of Adolf Hitler and “Mein Kampf” in India

It is hard to imagine how Adolf Hitler could be seen in any way as a positive role model. However, Hitler and his book “Mein Kampf” have found fans in surprising places, for example in India. Hitler was featured as an inspirational leader in a children’s book, last year, and “Mein Kampf” has been a bestseller in India for years (1, 2). According to some sources, Indian business students have used the book “as a self-improvement and management strategy guide.” Sohin Lakhani, owner of Mumbai-based Embassy books, said in 2009:

“They see it as a kind of success story where one man can have a vision, work out a plan on how to implement it and then successfully complete it.” (2)

Josh Scheinert wrote in 2014 that Hitler’s legacy in India is very different compared to the legacy in the West:

“More removed from the traumas associated with World War II and the Holocaust, Indians approach Hitler from a distance not possible in societies where war veterans, Holocaust survivors and education about the war and its legacy are part of the national psyche.” (3)

The events regarding World War II are not taught extensively in Indian schools, so the Indians are not necessarily aware of the negative stigma Hitler has in the West. There has also been some willingness to overlook Hitler’s most terrible acts and see him only as a strong leader. (3)

According to the Indian people Scheinert interviewed, Hitler’s book hadn’t caused anti-semitism. However, one member of the Jewish community in Calcutta said that there might be a risk that the Hindu nationalist movement might abuse the book’s message. (3) Some academics have believed that the book has been popular because of political reasons and it has been source of inspiration for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party BJP. (2) Hitler seems to have become part of the political debate in India during recent years. Last August Naramalli Sivaprasad, an Indian MP from southern state of Andhra Pradesh, caused shock by being dressed as Hitler in protest against the federal government’s refusal to grant “special category” to Andhra Pradesh (4). Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader of the Congress Party, caused controversy last November by comparing Prime Minister Narenda Modi to Hitler. The BJP responded to the criticism by claiming that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used the language of the former German Chancellor. (5)

References:

1) “Indian Children’s Book Lists Hitler as Leader ‘Who Will Inspire You’” The New York Times 17.3.2018

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/17/world/asia/india-hitler-childrens-book.html

2) “Indian business students snap up copies of Mein Kampf ” The Telegraph 20.4.2009

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/5182107/Indian-business-students-snap-up-copies-of-Mein-Kampf.html

3) “Why is Adolf Hitler popular in India?” The Jerusalem Post 29.9.2014

https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Why-is-Adolf-Hitler-popular-in-India-376622

4) “India MP shocks with Hitler costume protest in parliament” BBC News 10.8.2018

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45140801

5) “Indira Gandhi used Hitler’s language: BJP” The Economic Times 5.11.2018

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indira-gandhi-used-hitlers-language-bjp/articleshow/66512686.cms

Candace Owens’s thoughts about Hitler “making Germany great”

Candace Owens, the spokeswoman and communications director of controversial right-wing youth organization Turning Point USA, expressed some thoughts about Hitler, nationalism and globalism:

“Globalism is what I don’t want. So, when you think about whenever we say nationalism, the first thing people think about, at least in America, is Hitler. He was a national socialist, but if Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK, fine. The problem is that he wanted — he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalize.”

Here is a link to the video and full transcript of her comment (on Media Matters):

https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2019/02/08/Turning-Point-USAs-Candace-Owens-I-have-no-problems-with-nationalism–If-Hitler-just-wante/222812

Hardliners campaigning in Israel

The political campaigning is heating up before the upcoming elections in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to win the elections and continue as a Prime Minister, even though he is facing several charges of corruption (1). His biggest challenger is a newcomer, former army general Benny Gantz and his new “Israel Resilience” party (2).

Gantz caused uproar by saying that he wants Israel to end rule over Palestinians and because of his statement that was interpreted by hardline right-wingers as willingness to support some sort of unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank which would be similar to Israel’s pullout from Gaza in 2005. Prime Minister Netanyahu attacked his rival by warning of “Abbas-Gantz conspiracy”:

“The problem is that Abbas is satisfied, because Benny Gantz said today that he would carry out a second disengagement in Judea and Samaria, and Abbas wished him success in the election. This is why we have to go together, win these elections and prevent this. This is what election is really about: whether there will be a left-wing government led by Gantz or a Likud government led by me.” (2, 3)

The new far-right party “The New Right Party”, founded by former leading members of “The Jewish Home Party” (3, 4), said in their statement:

“He (i.e. Gantz) wants to expel more and more Jews from their homes during a unilateral disengagement from Judea and Samaria. Benny Gantz must not be Israel’s next defense minister. As we said: A ‘New Right’ or a weak Left.” (2)

References:

1) “The Corruption Cases Against Netanyahu” The New York Times 2.12.2018

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/02/world/middleeast/netanyahu-cases-guide.html

2) “Anyone but Bibi: In Israel, ex-general stirs hope of change” AP News 8.2.2019

https://www.apnews.com/d86043ffdc2a47b2849c9c97bdfc01ec

3) “Netanyahu warns of Abbas-Gantz conspiracy” Jerusalem Post 6.2.2019

https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Gantz-says-Israel-should-not-control-others-praises-disengagement-model-579829

4) “Bennett, Shaked’s ‘New Right’ party said set to unite with Jewish Home” Ynet News 30.12.2018

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5437031,00.html

Lessons from Weimar

Germany’s government marked the centenary of the Weimar Republic and Germany’s first democratic constitution, yesterday. At its time, the Weimar Constitution was very liberal and progressive, but it also had some fatal flaws that helped Adolf Hitler to rise to power in 1933. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that “every generation must once again struggle for democracy.” She added that present-day Europe has drawn lessons from Weimar and the “terrible” Nazi era. Stephan Harbarth, the vice-president of Germany’s top court, said:

“The failure of the Weimar Republic must… remind us… to counter those who seek to eliminate freedom and democracy, consistently and at an early stage.” (1)

Germany has had problems with far-right movements and parties during recent years, most notably because of anti-Islam movement PEGIDA and far-right party “Alternative for Germany” AfD. According to some recent polls, AfD has lost some support, but it is still in the fourth place with 12-13 per cent support (2, 3). Internal differences in AfD have lead to birth of far-right splinter groups. Frauke Petry, former co-head of AfD, formed “The Blue Party” (Die blaue Partei) in 2017 (4). André Poggenburg criticized AfD for “shifting to the left” and formed a new group “Awakening of German Patriots” AdP last month (5). The support of the other far-right parties seems to be minimal compared to AfD.

References:

1) “Germany marks 100 years since Weimar Constitution” Deutsche Welle 6.2.2019

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-marks-100-years-since-weimar-constitution/a-47379754

2) “Politbarometer Januar II 2019” Forschungsgruppe.de 25.1.2019

http://www.forschungsgruppe.de/Aktuelles/Politbarometer/

3) “Wenn am nächsten Sonntag Bundestagswahl wäre…” Sonntagsfrage – Forsa 2.2.2019

https://www.wahlrecht.de/umfragen/forsa.htm

4) “Former leader of Germany’s far-right kicks off new ‘Blue Party'” Reuters 12.10.2017

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics-afd/former-leader-of-germanys-far-right-kicks-off-new-blue-party-idUSKBN1CH315

5) “New far-right German party adopts former secret Nazi symbol” The Guardian 11.1.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/11/new-far-right-german-party-adopts-former-secret-nazi-symbol

US Senate approves anti-BDS bill

The US Senate approved new anti-BDS bill by votes of 77-23, yesterday. The bill will be sent to the House of Representatives where it will probably face new debate. The only Republican who voted against the bill was Senator Rand Paul. (1, 2) He said:

“Our country was founded upon the concept and in the midst of a great boycott. At the time, we were boycotting British goods and most specifically, British tea. There is likely nothing more American than to protest, to dissent and to boycott.”

“The sad thing today is that we will be debating whether or not to place limitations on the First Amendment right to boycott, and we will do it because the vast majority of this body disagrees with the concept of what the people are boycotting over.” (1)

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders said last week:

“While I do not support the BDS movement, we must defend every American’s constitutional right to engage in political activity. It is clear to me that this bill would violate Americans’ First Amendment rights.” (2)

References:

1) “US Senate approves anti-BDS bill, slowdown of Syria withdrawal” Al Jazeera 6.2.2019

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/senate-approves-anti-bds-bill-slowdown-syria-withdrawal-190206041549376.html

2) “Senate approves Syria, anti-BDS bill” The Hill 5.2.2019

https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/428572-senate-approves-syria-anti-bds-bill

British hardline right-wingers welcome new controversial youth organization

British hardline right-wingers and Brexiteers, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Priti Patel, have been enthusiastic about a new right-wing youth organization Turning Point UK which is a spin-off from a controversial American youth organization Turning Point USA founded by Charlie Kirk. Turning Point USA has close ties with President Trump’s family and inner circle and Fox News as well several alt-right figures and media outlets, for example Steve Bannon and Breitbart News. Kirk is a former contributor to Breitbart News and he also worked for Trump presidential campaign in 2016. (1,2)

The UK organization will be headed by George Farmer, whose father Michael Farmer is a multimillionaire financier and longtime Tory donor. George Farmer has been socializing with some hardline right-wingers, such as Paul Joseph Watson, who works for far-right conspiracy theory website Infowars. George Farmer is engaged to Candace Owens who is a spokeswoman and Director of Communications of the Turning Point USA. George Farmer has caused controversy because of his derogatory and Islamophobic tweets. (1, 3)

Anne Marie Waters, founder of British anti-Muslim party For Britain, has praised the launch of Turning Point UK and hopes to be able to cooperate with the organization (1). Former leader of far-right UKIP party Nigel Farage expressed his support for Turning Point UK on Fox News today:

https://youtu.be/sZlrzwpCEUg

References:

1) “Tory MPs back youth group with apparent links to US far right” The Guardian 4.2.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/04/tory-mps-back-rightwing-youth-group-turning-point-uk

2) “Who Funds Conservative Campus Group Turning Point USA? Donors Revealed” International Business Times 28.11.2017

https://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/who-funds-conservative-campus-group-turning-point-usa-donors-revealed-2620325

3) Turning Point USA website

https://www.tpusa.com

Katie Hopkins’ thoughts about “the best in people”

British poster-girl for far-right Katie Hopkins has tweeted an image that probably sums up her selective view of the humankind:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DyZgkaYWkAARyTs.jpg:large

Forgot to add earlier, that Hopkins had planned a nationwide Stand Strong School Tour in British schools in order to talk about Brexit, racism and President Trump. However, majority of the schools that had initially been willing to take part to her tour pulled out (1, 2). Hopkins has still been able to visit some schools, for example two prestigious schools in London, Harrow School and Westminster School last month. (2, 3)

References:

1) “Katie Hopkins visiting schools to teach kids about Brexit, racism and Donald Trump – but teachers ‘don’t want her'” Mirror 4.2.2018

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/katie-hopkins-visiting-schools-teach-11258654

2) “‘Funding threats’ force schools to cancel Katie Hopkins speaking tour” Shy Society 8.3.2018

https://shysociety.co.uk/2018/03/08/funding-threats-force-schools-cancel-katie-hopkins-speaking-tour/

3) Katie Hopkins on Twitter 17.1.2019

https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/1085814142924218368