Skip to main content

"'Enemy Inside the Wire': Steve Bannon's Toxic Take on Jews, Israel and the Far Right," Allison Kaplan Sommer. Haaretz.

 

       Allison Kaplan Sommer 


Brief introduction of Allison Kaplan Sommer 

Allison Kaplan Sommer is an American-born journalist who has been with Haaretz since 2012. She hosts the Haaretz Weekend podcast and co-hosts The Promised Podcast. Before joining Haaretz, she served as the Washington, D.C., bureau chief for The Jerusalem Post and has contributed to publications such as The New Republic and Politico. Her work has been recognized with awards, including the 2016 B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism for Excellence in Diaspora Reportage and the 2017 Simon Rockower Award for excellence in covering Zionism, Aliyah, and Israel. In her reporting, Sommer often explores the intersection of U.S. and Israeli politics, as well as issues affecting the Jewish diaspora. Her recent article, "'Enemy Inside the Wire': Steve Bannon's Toxic Take on Jews, Israel and the Far Right," reflects her commitment to analyzing complex and sensitive topics within the Jewish community and broader political landscape.

Allison Kaplan Sommer's article in Haaretz, titled "'Enemy Inside the Wire': Steve Bannon's Toxic Take on Jews, Israel and the Far Right," delves into Steve Bannon's recent statements and actions that have sparked significant controversy. Bannon, a prominent figure in far-right politics and former advisor to President Donald Trump, has made remarks suggesting that the primary adversaries of Israel are not external threats but rather American Jews who do not support Israel or the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. He stated, "The biggest enemy you have is inside the wire: progressive Jewish billionaires that are funding all this stuff."

Key Points:

  1. Internal Division Among Jews: Bannon's rhetoric implies a division within the Jewish community, positioning progressive American Jews as adversaries to Israel. This narrative fosters internal discord and portrays a segment of Jews as threats to their own community.

  2. Alignment with Far-Right Nationalism: Bannon attempts to align unwavering support for Israel with far-right nationalist ideologies. By doing so, he seeks to create a coalition between pro-Israel stances and extreme right-wing movements, potentially alienating Jews who hold diverse political views.

  3. Antisemitic Undertones: His comments echo longstanding antisemitic tropes that question the loyalty of Jews, suggesting that those who do not align with specific political ideologies are enemies from within. This rhetoric can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and increase antisemitic sentiments.

  4. Controversial Gestures: At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Bannon made a gesture resembling a Nazi salute, which he later dismissed as a harmless wave. This action drew criticism from various quarters, including far-right figures like French politician Jordan Bardella, who canceled his CPAC appearance in protest.

Further Explanation:

Bannon's strategy appears to be an effort to redefine the narrative around support for Israel, tying it closely to far-right nationalism. This approach not only seeks to marginalize progressive Jews but also attempts to reshape the political alliances surrounding Israel, potentially driving a wedge between different factions within the Jewish diaspora and between diaspora Jews and Israel.

By casting progressive Jewish individuals and organizations as internal enemies, Bannon taps into divisive tactics that can fracture communal solidarity. This internal strife serves to weaken collective action and can isolate those who advocate for a more nuanced or critical approach to Israeli policies.

Moreover, the incorporation of gestures and symbols associated with historical antisemitism, whether intentional or not, signals a troubling normalization of extremist imagery in mainstream political discourse. Such actions not only offend but also embolden fringe elements that interpret these gestures as validation of their hateful ideologies.

In summary, Bannon's recent conduct exemplifies a deliberate intertwining of pro-Israel rhetoric with far-right nationalism, employing divisive language and controversial actions that risk deepening rifts within the Jewish community and between Jews and broader political movements.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Overview of the threat to the banking industry, with examples from recent bank collapses and persistent future risks:

1. Increasing cyber-attacks targeting financial data:  Cyber-attacks like the 2017 Equifax breach (a) expose sensitive financial data, leading to significant financial and reputational damage. 2. Rising competition from fintech and non-traditional financial institutions: Companies like PayPal and Square are disrupting traditional banking by offering innovative financial services. (b) 3. Regulatory changes impacting operations and profitability: The Dodd-Frank Act imposed stricter regulations on banks, affecting their operations and profitability. (c) 4. Economic downturns affecting loan repayment and default rates: The 2008 financial crisis saw a spike in loan defaults, leading to the collapse of major banks like Lehman Brothers. 5. Interest rate volatility impacting margins: Rising interest rates in 2023 led to significant losses in banks' securities portfolios, contributing to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank². 6. Technological disruptions in payment systems and banking te...
Post a Comment
Read more

Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism: Navigating the Complexities of Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism. JVP.

 Key points from the statement by the Academic Advisory Council (AAC) of Jewish Voice for Peace regarding the firing of Maura Finkelstein by Muhlenberg College , along with further explanations: 1. Condemnation of Firing    - The AAC condemns the firing of Maura Finkelstein.    -  The AAC views the firing as unjust and demands her immediate reinstatement. They also call for the removal of key administrative figures at Muhlenberg College, including President Harring , Provost Furge, and Board Chair Lance Bruck . 2. Reason for Termination    - Finkelstein was fired for reposting an Instagram message by Palestinian poet Remi Kanazi.    -  The reposted message was critical of Zionists, which Muhlenberg College cited as the reason for her termination. This action has been reported and corroborated by external sources¹,². 3. Academic Freedom    - The AAC argues that the repost falls within the bounds of academic freedom. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Price of Their Silence: How Islamophobia Became an Industry—and Muslims Its Global Collateral

  🖋️ By Malik Mukhtar 📍 ainnbeen.blogspot.com | 🗓️ June 28, 2025 They bombed Iraq for democracy. Tortured Afghans in the name of security. Waterboarded bodies at Guantanamo and called it “enhanced interrogation.” And now in Gaza—they bury children under rubble and whisper, self-defense . This isn’t a war on terror. It’s a war on memory, on names, on brown bodies that pray in Arabic. And Islamophobia has been its golden engine—powerful, profitable, and protected. 🧠 Islamophobia: Not Just Prejudice—A $Billions Industry Islamophobia is not just a bias—it’s a well-funded psychological operation . According to the Center for American Progress , over $42 million was channeled (2001–2011) into think tanks and media fronts to craft and normalize anti-Muslim sentiment. This isn’t random—it’s strategic. The goal: keep the public afraid —of Muslims, of mosques, of immigrants, of something called Sharia Law . 📘 Sharia Law: The Manufactured Threat That Never Was Let’s be c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ultra-Orthodox Influence in Israel: A Demographic Growth and deepening rift with secular Society.

  The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredim) Community in Israel: A Detailed Analysis The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, often referred to as Haredim, plays a significant role in the sociopolitical landscape of Israel. Historically a smaller minority, this community has gained increasing political influence and social visibility in recent years. Their rise has created tensions between them and the largely secular and liberal segments of Israeli society. These tensions stem from issues related to political power, economic benefits, military service exemptions, and broader cultural divisions. A. Political Representation:  Which Political Parties Represent the Haredim? The Haredi community is represented by two primary political parties in the Israeli Knesset (parliament): 1. Shas – A party that primarily represents Sephardic and Mizrahi Haredi Jews. 2. United Torah Judaism (UTJ) – A party that primarily represents Ashkenazi Haredi Jews, with UTJ itself being a coalition of two ...
Post a Comment
Read more