"'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:

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.
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.
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.
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.

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