Israeli fascism

A mural in Tel Aviv shows a young girl embracing an Israeli soldier, July 21, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

PHOTOS: How hypermilitarism pervades everyday life in Israel

From the sacred to the mundane, military imagery suffuses the Israeli public sphere — shaping our imagination, desires, and collective identity.

By Nissi Peli April 10, 2026

Israeli soldiers seen on the Israeli side of the Gaza fence, March 4, 2024. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

Only an anti-fascist front can save us from the abyss

Israeli society will emerge from this war more violent, nationalist, and militaristic than ever. The work of curbing its worst impulses must start now.

By Orly Noy July 4, 2024

Far-right MK Itamar Ben-Gvir takes part in the 'flag march' in the city of Lydd, December 5, 2021. (Oren Ziv)

Israelis are calling their leaders fascists. Why can’t British politicians?

What will it take for British officials and other international actors to start taking Israeli leaders at their word and offer any meaningful pushback?

By Ben Reiff February 7, 2023

Latest

Hard right hearts human rights on Knesset NGO inquiry

Some members of the hard right have harshly criticized the Knesset inquiry into human rights NGOs. They seem to believe that Israel can continue to rule the Palestinians while respecting their rights. This contradiction is enabled through sophisticated mechanisms of privatization, which may be a greater danger for Israel than fascism Benny Begin, the son of late…

By Roi Maor January 7, 2011

An Israeli demonstrating in front of the Turkish embassy (Credit: Tom Eschar, used with permission)

It’s not fascism, but…

Notes on the anti-democratic movement in Israel Yedioth Aharonot’s weekend supplement devoted a large space yesterday (Friday) to the rise of the noxious anti-democratic wave in Israel, under the title “Fascism Won’t Pass! (Or, Maybe, it Will)” . This is in itself is commendable: all too often, newspapers prefer to focus on specific incidents, or…

By Yossi Gurvitz October 16, 2010

Would Israelis like things to be better?

Based on the past months of popular struggle in the West Bank which have included countless demonstrations, arrests, house raids, injuries and trips to the military courts, I find myself asking whether Israelis would like things to be better. The question is simple enough: do people here want to create a change so that the political…

By Joseph Dana September 1, 2010

Revenge of the nerds: partying with the boys of Im Tirtzu

This piece was co-authored by Max Blumenthal Fresh off a campaign of nationwide intimidation against the New Israel Fund, countless damaging personal attacks against leftists and professors condemned as insufficiently Zionist, and an endorsement from Israeli Education Minister Gideon Saar, the self-proclaimed “moderate” student group Im Tirtzu gathered for a night of celebration. The venue was “Theodore,” a swanky bar in…

By Joseph Dana August 20, 2010