Historically, older generations of white supremacists in Europe—have been well-documented as being openly antisemitic, anti-Israel, and opposed to Zionism. Contemporary far-right figures especially from the football hooligan subcultures like Tommy Robinson, appear to be aligned with Israel and Zionism. Israeli flags are now common at their rallies, even in England. What factors have driven this transformation in ideological positioning?

Historically, older generations of white supremacists in Europe—such as members of the British National Party (BNP) and the English Defence League (EDL)—have been well-documented as being openly antisemitic, anti-Israel, and opposed to Zionism. It was rare to see Israeli flags among these groups in the past. However, in more recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred. Contemporary far-right movements, particularly those emerging from football hooligan subcultures and figures like Tommy Robinson, appear to have aligned themselves with Israel and Zionism. Israeli flags are now commonly displayed at their rallies, even in England. What factors have driven this transformation in ideological positioning?

This shift in ideological positioning among far-right groups in the UK—from historical antisemitism to a more Zionist-friendly stance—can be understood through a combination of geopolitical realignments, strategic alliances, and changes in the perceived 'primary enemy.' Several key factors contribute to this transformation:

1. The "Clash of Civilizations" Narrative and Islamophobia

• The post-9/11 global narrative of a 'clash of civilizations' between the West and the Islamic world has reshaped far-right priorities. Many far-right movements, particularly those rooted in football hooliganism and groups like the English Defence League (EDL), have shifted their primary focus from Jewish communities to Muslim populations.
• Israel, as a state engaged in longstanding conflicts with Muslim-majority nations and groups like Hamas, is now seen as an ally in this broader ideological battle against what these groups perceive as the "Islamization" of Europe.
• Figures like Tommy Robinson have explicitly framed their support for Israel as part of their opposition to Islamic extremism, arguing that Israel is on the front lines of a global struggle that also affects the UK.

2. Strategic Realignments in the Far Right

• Traditional European far-right movements, including the British National Party (BNP), once adhered to classical antisemitic conspiracies about Jewish control over media, banking, and immigration policies.
• However, contemporary far-right populism has increasingly adopted pro-Israel positions as part of a broader Western nationalist rebranding.
• This realignment mirrors trends in the U.S., where figures like Steve Bannon and Donald Trump have simultaneously embraced nationalist rhetoric while being staunchly pro-Israel.
• European far-right leaders such as Geert Wilders (Netherlands) and Marine Le Pen (France) have also adopted pro-Israel stances while maintaining their nationalist and anti-immigration agendas.

3. The Influence of American Neoconservatism

• The rise of neoconservatism in the U.S., which aggressively supports Israel and promotes interventionist foreign policies, has influenced European far-right movements.
• Many of these groups have been exposed to pro-Israel narratives through alternative media, YouTube channels, and social networks that push a neoconservative view of geopolitics.

4. Israeli Diplomatic Outreach

• The Israeli government and various Zionist organizations have actively courted far-right parties in Europe. Figures like Benjamin Netanyahu have sought alliances with nationalist leaders in Hungary (Viktor Orbán) and Italy (Matteo Salvini), despite their parties’ past associations with antisemitism.
• Israeli leaders have prioritized these relationships over historical concerns about antisemitism, as long as the far-right groups remain supportive of Israel’s geopolitical interests.

5. Declining White Supremacist "Purity" Narratives

• Classic white supremacist ideology was once heavily fixated on racial purity and antisemitic conspiracy theories. However, the modern far-right is increasingly pragmatist rather than ideological.
• Many contemporary far-right movements focus more on preserving cultural identity rather than strict racial purity, making alliances with Zionism more acceptable if it serves their broader agenda of opposing multiculturalism and mass immigration.

6. Displacement of Traditional Antisemitic Tropes

• While older far-right movements viewed Jews as orchestrators of mass immigration, newer narratives place blame primarily on left-wing elites, the European Union, and Muslim migration.
• The idea of an "Islamic threat" has displaced older conspiracies about Jewish world domination, leading many far-right groups to see Jews and Israel as potential allies rather than enemies.

7. Media and Social Media Dynamics

• The spread of digital nationalism has allowed far-right influencers to interact with pro-Israel figures and Zionist movements.
• Platforms like Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter (X) have facilitated the blending of Zionist and nationalist narratives, reinforcing the idea that Israel is a model for a strong ethno-nationalist state.

Conclusion: A Tactical, Not Ideological, Shift

This transformation in far-right support for Israel is not necessarily rooted in a fundamental ideological shift away from antisemitism but rather in strategic realignments. The far right sees Israel as a model of nationalism, border security, and anti-Islamic policies. In turn, the Israeli government and pro-Zionist organizations have found common ground with these movements, despite their historical antisemitism.

While older generations of British white supremacists were openly hostile to Jews and Zionism, contemporary far-right groups have prioritized Islamophobia and cultural nationalism over traditional racial ideology. This has led to the unusual sight of Israeli flags at rallies held by groups that, only a few decades ago, would have been staunchly opposed to Zionism.

This PhD-level thesis was compiled/ developed with the assistance of AI tools -Written & Edited By Olofin 

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