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Internationalists Versus Nationalists Explains It

Reader comment on item: No News in Republican and Democratic Views of Israel

Submitted by Dave (United States), Jan 31, 2018 at 13:34

The division of opinion between Right and Left is roughly consistent with an internationalist view of the Left and the nationalist view of the Right. Since Zionism is a form of nationalism, it's no surprise that nationalists can identify with it. Also, Islamism is feared by nationalists as an encroachment on national integrity in every way, and that helps them empathize with Israel. On the other hand, internationalists are uncomfortable with boosting Zionism since it contradicts their ideals of open borders and cultural relativism.
The European Union leaders, epitomized by Angela Merkel, embody internationalism; after all, they have been trying to cobble together disparate cultures and countries in Europe, and even beyond. It's hardly surprising that they are often at odds with Israel. Plus, there are the Socialists and Communists with their globalist agendas. Apparently, the One World endeavor requires sweeping problematic cultural tendencies under the rug, so it's hardly surprising that leftists studiously ignore violent elements of Islamic ideology and often explain away terrorism as a victim's response.
The Trump administration and India's Modi government are examples of nationalist regimes friendly to Israel; add to those the rising anti-immigration parties in Europe and one can see a large pro-Zionist coalition in the making.
American Jews have traditionally been the victims of nationalists, so it's to be expected that they would be reluctant to like nationalism. However, they need to understand that Islamism carries all the old diseases from which they have historically suffered, and that teaming up with nationalists to oppose it is in their interests. Recall that Winston Churchill was a nationalist who fought Nazism.
The irony is that the nationalists are in the forefront against the most reactionary force on earth.

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Reader comments (3) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Pew's reference point was 1978 to 2018 [102 words]IanFeb 1, 2018 13:52242036
Living in a Fool's Paradise - Over complacency In a Dangerous World [264 words]Paul EversJan 31, 2018 14:48242029
Internationalists Versus Nationalists Explains It [284 words]DaveJan 31, 2018 13:34242028

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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