The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Fascists in the U.S. Republican Party With a Nazi Streak.

 

By David Starr

 

Like their counterparts in the Israeli government, there are Republicans who have made disgusting comments in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The general attitude of these individuals is characterized by having no empathy or understanding for all Palestinians. 

 

The latest example of Republican hatred was expressed by Andrew Ogles, a representative of Tennessee. A pro-Palestinian activist confronted him, asking Ogles questions about the plight of Palestinians. Ogles’ response was, “Kill them all.” For more details, the interaction can be seen here.

 

This is becoming more par for the course as Republicans show their true colors. Overall, members of the party have made remarks that constitute the rhetoric of fascists, topped off with a Nazi streak. They, like their Israeli counterparts, see the Palestinians as being inferior, “wild beasts,” as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu described them. 

 

There is a familiar theme with these remarks. In a tragic irony, Israeli officials are actually imitating Nazi Germany with its supremacy myths and aggression towards the “Other.” There are, of course, certain differences. While Nazis tried to impose Aryan supremacy myths, fascist Israelis have their own supremacy myth, that being a myth based on ultranationalism and religious fanaticism. The idea of a “Chosen People” is a reflection of one group being more important and superior than other groups. With the Israeli right-wing acting that out today, it goes to show they have not learned from the oppression of Jews during World War II when about six million were killed by the Nazis.

 

Another Republican came out with a remark about Palestinians similar to Ogles. Brian Mast is a representative from Florida (not surprising) who pulled a stunt in the U.S. Congress in October 2013. Mast came out wearing his Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) uniform. Mast was in the IDF as well as the U.S. Army.  Mast was trying to show unity for Israel. He said he will always stand with Israel.  

 

Mast is, thus, hellbent on supporting the “Holy Land.” In early February 2024, Code Pink protesters confronted Mast outside his office. In The New Republic, Tori Otten quotes Mast answering questions:

 

Mast Stated, “It would be better if you kill all the terrorists and kill everyone who are supporters.” When a protester asked Mast if he has seen photos of Palestinian babies killed by Israel, he responded, “These are not innocent Palestinian civilians.” The protester was shocked by Mast’s callous remark. Mast continued, saying, “half a million people starving to death” should have elected a pro-Israel government. A protester emphasized that a lot of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed. Mast said, “And there’s more infrastructure to be destroyed.” He added, “Did you not hear me? There’s more that needs to be destroyed.”

 

Mast is, indeed, hellbent on Israel achieving its fascist objective. Quoting Otten: “Mast’s horrific comments–and the chilling way he delivered them–should come as no surprise. In November [2023], just a few weeks after the war began, Mast compared Palestinian civilians to Nazis and implied they are all guilty for Hamas’s atrocities.” Comparing Palestinians with Nazis is quite a perverse outlook. It’s Palestinians who have been invaded with about 27,000 deaths, about half of them children. It’s Israel, with a superior military, that has been the aggressor with its “blitzkrieg” of Gaza; and to some extent, the West Bank. 

 

Mast’s cruel remarks about all Palestinians makes him sound Nazi-like. He can’t get it through his head that there’s been an occupation going on for decades which involves the gradual stealing of Palestinian land. Combine that with the increase in Israeli settlements and racist behavior, and one with common sense would know who the aggressor is and who is the victim. But don’t tell Mast that.

 

Another Republican also made outrageous remarks in November 2023. During a debate in Florida’s state legislature for a resolution to consider a ceasefire, “lawmaker” Michelle Salzman proved herself to have a Nazi streak in her. Democratic state representative Angie Nixon made a speech about the resolution, and asked, quoted by Tuhin Das Mahapatra in the Hindustan Times, “We are at 10,000 [at that time] dead Palestinians. How many will be enough?” Salzman’s response? She shouted, “All of them!”

 

The Republicans are adept at being hypocritical when, for example, Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib was censured by them for making statements about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Tlaib was accused of wanting the destruction of Israel by saying “From the land to the Sea, Palestine will be Free.” This of course was false. Besides, Israel has a similar slogan: “From the River Jordan to the Sea, Israel will Have Sovereignty. And Tlaib was accused of spreading falsehoods about the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Israel. That was false.

 

Meanwhile, Ogles (for now?) wasn’t censured for making his fascistic remarks. Mast and Salzman were not censured as well. Republicans, thus, are morally bankrupt in their accusations and horrific opinions.

 

What have been the opinions of average U.S. citizens regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza? The PBS NewsHour published an AP-NORC poll in early February 2024 to get answers. Initially, U.S. sentiment was high in supporting Israel and the Biden administration just after the October 7 attacks. But in the poll published by PBS, broad support lessoned as the conflict continued. “Broadly, support for the handling of the situation [ebbed] slightly further across the board. The poll shows 31 percent of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s handling of the conflict, including just 46 percent of Democrats.” The Republicans polled at 33 percent for thinking Israel has gone too far, up from 18 percent in November 2023. In the same month, 62 percent of Democrats felt the same. Likewise with 52 percent of independents.

 

“In all, 50 percent of U.S. adults [in early February 2024] believe Israel’s military offensive has gone beyond what it should have, the poll found.” Further, “The new poll’s findings include more worrying news for President Joe Biden when it comes to support from his own political party. Fracture lines are growing in his Democratic base, with some key Democratic blocs that Biden will likely need if he’s going to win a second term unhappy with his handling of the conflict.”

 

Biden has been steadfast in his support of Israel, which has now turned into a liability. Supporting a two-state solution and saying Israel must be careful not harm civilians, while continuing to provide arms for Israel to use against Palestinians is weak and inexcusable. Add to that another veto by the U.S. in the UN Security Council for another ceasefire resolution, and overall, many Democrats in Congress are morally bankrupt on this issue.

 

The situation for the U.S. doesn’t look good worldwide. Other countries have been angry not only about Israel’s aggression but also on the U.S.’s failure to take action, like accepting a permanent ceasefire, applying sanctions on Israel, and withholding military aid. 

 

Besides South Africa’s charges of genocide against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Brazil’s president made a strong accusation about the conflict. Lula da Silva came out and stated that Israel’s actions are similar to the Holocaust. For more information, click here.

 

It is quite evident that like Israeli officials, the Republicans of the U.S. have sounded somewhat like Nazis. More and more, the GOP is embracing fascism. And the Biden administration looks helpless by not taken direct action against Israel. But there is strong opposition to Israel going way beyond self-defense; Domestically, and especially internationally.