Left-wing parties in the clutches of Islamists – an NZZ commentary

In the Neue Zürcher Zeitung of April 24, foreign editor Daniel Rickenbacher looks at the “fraternization of leftists and Islamists” and states: “This is not a conspiracy theory, but already a reality.” The left-wing populists have found new voters in the Islamists and they are increasingly dictating the political agenda, analyzes Rickenbacher and states: “The influence of this unholy alliance is already great today and is reflected in an anti-Semitic disinhibition.”

In the course of the rapprochement between parts of the political left and Islamist and nationalist movements, increasing hostility towards Israel and a new anti-Semitism have emerged. Common enemy images – especially Israel – unite very different groups and serve as ideological cement, writes the NZZ. The consequence of this fraternization is a much more openly anti-Semitic attitude in the left-wing parties. Surveys have shown that anti-Semitic statements are much more popular among Muslim respondents than among the population as a whole – for example the claim that Jews have too much power on the international financial markets.

The spread of these attitudes is reinforced in the left-wing parties by identity politics. Societies are divided into groups of perpetrators and victims, with Israelis often seen as “oppressors” or “settler colonialists”. Their historical experiences of persecution, expulsion and terror are ignored. At the same time, Islamist and nationalist movements are idealized as liberation movements. This shift can also be seen linguistically, for example in the use of the term “Israelization”, which generally associates violence, oppression and manipulation with Israel.

After the Hamas massacre in Israel on 7 October 2023, there was a radicalization, Rickenbacher notes. At the same time, calls for a “global intifada” spread, directed not only against Israel, but also against Jews and supporters. This development has concrete consequences: Anti-Semitic violence is on the rise, Jewish institutions are under increased protection and many Jews feel increasingly unsafe in Europe and are therefore emigrating. Hostility towards Israel and anti-Semitism are being increasingly normalized and carried into broader social milieus, writes the NZZ.

Click here for the commentary by Daniel Rickenbacher: Islamogauchism: Why Islamists and the left are getting closer and closer