Opinions

Why the left’s rejection of nationalism is contributing to its animosity toward Israel



The late historian John Lukacs used to posit that all the old political “isms” were a thing of the past, becoming more like “wasms,” except for one – nationalism.

Lukacs, who passed away five years ago, was proved right by the continuing anti-Israel demonstrations on American college campuses.

This truth was also evident in the recent attempt by authorities in the heart of the European Union to quell a “National Conservatism” conference.

The Mayor of Brussels swiftly took action to shut down the conference, which featured speakers like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Brexit architect Nigel Farage.

He justified his actions as a precaution against potential radical protests disrupting the peace of the conference and the city, failing to acknowledge the suppression of National Conservatives through government intervention instead of letting violent leftists intimidate them privately.

Nevertheless, some may question why a “National” Conservative conference was held in Brussels, with speakers from various nations like Britain, Poland, Hungary, France, and the United States.

Critics of National Conservatism have often pointed out the perceived contradiction in nationalists from different countries working together, questioning whether it’s truly internationalism.

Yoram Hazony, founder of the National Conservatism conference, addressed this issue in his book “The Virtue of Nationalism,” emphasizing the importance of upholding defensive nationalism in the post-WWII era.

Hazony warned against the growing anti-nationalist sentiment in elite European and American institutions, viewing it as a long-term threat to Israel’s existence.

He highlighted the crucial role of nationalist conservatives in supporting Israel and preserving the nation-state against liberal internationalists who demonized them as bigots.

Hazony’s vision has been validated over the years, as the nationalist right in Europe and elsewhere has shown strong support for Israel in its times of need, while the left has revealed antisemitic tendencies.

Leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, the Netherlands’ Geert Wilders, Donald Trump, and Hungary’s Orban have demonstrated staunch pro-Israel stances rooted in the nationalist principle that Hazony champions.

Conversely, the same leftist groups condemning Israel as worse than Hamas are often proponents of a post-national world devoid of nations, sovereign borders, and cultural assimilation.

The French political scientist Pierre Manent argued that democracy cannot exist without nations, emphasizing the importance of nationalists in preserving democracy in the 21st century.

Daniel McCarthy is the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review. Follow him on X @ToryAnarchist.



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