[Marci Shore] Antisemitism & the Rise of Fascism

Antisemitism, hatred of Jews, is centuries old. It exists today. It’s a blight on humankind and must be resisted. However, criticism of Israeli state policies should not be conflated with antisemitism. One should also point out that Islamophobia, hatred of Muslims, is on the rise. Fascism is a political term. It should not be used promiscuously. In the 20th century, it starts with Mussolini, followed by Hitler, Franco, and many others. Today, one sees elements of fascism in the United States and elsewhere. There is exaltation of and obedience to the great leader. There is a celebration of militarism and a mythic past. Italian philosopher and author Umberto Eco says fascist traits include “rejection of modernism,” “irrationalism,” “obsession of a plot,” “contempt for the weak,” and “selective populism.”

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