The Far-Right and Far-Left Hate Alliance

A disturbing chant echoed by far-right extremists, including neo-Nazis and white supremacists, through the streets of Charlottesville in 2017: “Jews will not replace us.” Four years later, during a protest in London, another group, this time from the far-left, called for a boycott of Jewish-owned businesses. These moments, though rooted in opposing political ideologies, reveal an unsettling truth: antisemitism knows no boundaries. Historically, the far-right and far-left have clashed over their worldviews, standing as ideological adversaries. Yet today, they share a harsh commonality, an alarming rise in anti-Jewish sentiment that transcends political divides. This convergence forces us to confront the uncomfortable reality that prejudice can exist across even the most opposing ideologies.

Antisemitism has long been a core element of far-right ideologies, evident throughout history and notably during World War II. Today, this deep-seated hatred persists within modern far-right movements, often manifesting through conspiracy theories and assertions of racial superiority. These groups foster an “us vs. them” mentality, framing Jews as the antagonistic ‘other.’ In recent years, the proliferation of digital platforms has facilitated the spread of such ideologies, enabling far-right extremists to connect, organize, and disseminate antisemitic content more efficiently. For instance, the “Great Replacement” theory, which falsely claims that Jewish elites are orchestrating the demographic replacement of white populations, has gained traction in these digital spaces, leading to real-world violence and terror attacks. The internet acts as a force multiplier, spreading hate rapidly and emboldening individuals to propagate antisemitic views with anonymity, often resulting in hate crimes and extremist actions.

Antisemitic elements within far-left ideology often emerge when anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist sentiments intersect with anti-Zionist positions, fostering harmful stereotypes about Jewish people. This convergence portrays Jews as symbols of capitalist exploitation or imperialist agendas, reviving longstanding antisemitic stereotypes under the mask of political critique. Such rhetoric distorts legitimate discourse and creates environments where antisemitic attitudes can flourish. Following the events of October 7, 2023, a significant rise in antisemitic incidents linked to far-left individuals and groups has been observed, particularly in academic and public settings. At Columbia University, Jewish students have reported physical assaults, antisemitic graffiti, and harassment, including being chased out of dorms and subjected to hate speech. Similarly, during a pro-Palestinian rally near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, participants displayed swastikas alongside messages equating Israel with Nazi Germany. This use of Nazi imagery has been condemned for trivializing the Holocaust and promoting harmful comparisons. These incidents illustrate the complex and often ambiguous intersections of ideologies within such protests, where legitimate political expressions can become entangled with offensive and harmful symbolism, further fueling antisemitic narratives.

Recent studies highlight a concerning convergence of antisemitic activities from both far-left and far-right ideologies. A 2023 study found that antisemitic incidents were nearly identical between far-left and far-right sources, each accounting for approximately 33.5% of recorded cases. Following the October 7 Hamas attack, there has been a significant global surge in antisemitism, fueled by both far-left groups protesting Israel’s actions and reactionary responses from far-right movements. These developments underscore the alarming ideological convergence contributing to the rise of antisemitism across the political spectrum.

Far-right accelerationists exploit pro-Palestinian protests to advance their agenda of societal destabilization. Accelerationism, a strategy advocating the deliberate intensification of tensions to expedite systemic collapse, resonates with the far-right. These extremists see such protests as opportunities to deepen divisions, destabilize regimes, and hasten the collapse of the current social order. By infiltrating these demonstrations, they amplify discord, co-opting rhetoric to propagate anti-Jewish conspiracy theories and incite violence. For instance, they use pro-Palestinian rallies to disseminate antisemitic ideologies and push anti-Jewish narratives into mainstream discourse. Such actions undermine the protests’ intent while aligning with the accelerationist goal of fostering chaos to precipitate systemic collapse and reshape the social structure.

Despite their opposing core ideologies, both far-left and far-right movements converge in propagating antisemitic narratives that depict Jews as controllers of global finance or as oppressors in geopolitical conflicts. The far-right often portrays Jews as threats to national and racial identity, while the far-left may intertwine antisemitism with anti-capitalist rhetoric, depicting Jews as embodiments of capitalist exploitation. This convergence underscores how deeply ingrained prejudices can transcend political boundaries, leading to similar discriminatory narratives across the ideological spectrum.

The intersection of antisemitic sentiments from both far-left and far-right ideologies has led to a notable increase in harassment, vandalism, and violence, fostering a pervasive sense of vulnerability among Jewish individuals. Addressing this issue requires a unified approach that goes beyond ideological divisions. Governments and political leaders must swiftly and unequivocally denounce antisemitism wherever it arises. Comprehensive strategies involving all relevant authorities at every level should be implemented, with periodic assessments and updates to ensure their effectiveness in countering antisemitism across the political spectrum. In the fight against antisemitism, silence is complicity; proactive measures are our moral imperative.