Global Research

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has spurred renewed global attention on the political ideologies that shape the actions of Israel’s current government.

Among these, Kahanism stands out as one of the most powerful, yet troubling, influences. Rooted in the teachings of Rabbi Meir Kahane, Kahanism promotes an exclusionary vision of Jewish nationalism. This vision rejects any form of coexistence with Palestinians and advocates for their complete removal from the region deemed as the “Land of Israel.” The application of this ideology within Israel’s ruling coalition has seen an intensification of hardline policies toward Palestinians, including in Gaza, significantly impacting both domestic politics and international relations.

The Origins of Kahanism

Image: Kahane in New York in 1984 (From the Public Domain)

Rabbi Meir Kahane’s political journey began in the United States in 1968 when he founded the Jewish Defense League (JDL). The JDL, initially positioned as a militant response to anti-Semitic attacks, quickly evolved into an organization with a broader, more radical agenda. Kahane’s vision for the future of the Jewish state was rooted in an uncompromising form of Jewish supremacy, one that sought to establish a theocratic Jewish state governed by Halakhic (Jewish) law, free from the presence of Palestinians.

Kahane’s ideas gained traction in Israel in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly through his political party, Kach, which called for the expulsion of Palestinians from Israel and the occupied territories. The platform advocated for the transfer of Arabs from the region and a strict form of Jewish nationalism that rejected any form of multicultural or multiethnic society. Despite being banned from the Knesset in 1988 for its racist and exclusionary views, Kahanism found fertile ground in Israel, particularly among segments of the settler movement, far-right political activists, and the growing nationalist base.

Kahane’s ideas were initially relegated to the fringes of Israeli society, but their influence has persisted, shaping the policies of several far-right political movements. The philosophy of Kahanism, despite being outlawed, has morphed into a more mainstream political force in recent years, particularly in the wake of Israel’s failed peace process and the ongoing tension between Jews and Palestinians.

Kahanism in the Current Israeli Government

Image: Itamar Ben-Gvir (Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)

The resurgence of Kahanist thought within Israel’s political landscape is evident in the actions and rhetoric of key figures such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Both are central figures in Israel’s current government and have openly expressed support for Kahanist ideals, including Jewish supremacy and anti-Palestinian rhetoric.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security, was once a follower of Rabbi Kahane and has spent much of his political career advocating for policies aligned with Kahanist ideology. His rise to prominence marks a stark shift in Israeli politics, as he represents a faction that calls for extreme measures, such as the expulsion of Palestinians and the complete annexation of the West Bank.

Ben-Gvir’s policies are marked by inflammatory rhetoric, and his tenure as a public official has been characterized by calls for the use of force against Palestinians, particularly in response to resistance movements.

Similarly, Bezalel Smotrich, who serves as the Finance Minister and holds de facto control over the West Bank’s civil administration, has been a vocal advocate for a policy of Jewish settlement expansion and a rejection of Palestinian national rights. Smotrich has made numerous statements questioning the legitimacy of Palestinian claims to the land and has consistently pushed for the application of Israeli sovereignty over the entire West Bank, a position that is fundamentally aligned with Kahanist thought.

Image: Bezalel Smotrich (Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Together, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s actions reflect the growing political strength of Kahanism in Israel’s government. Their policies not only promote harsher measures against Palestinians but also advocate for the dismantling of any political structures that would allow Palestinians to exercise self-determination or coexist within Israel in any meaningful way.

The Crisis in Gaza: A Kahanist Apex

The current military campaign in Gaza has escalated into one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in recent memory. The ongoing conflict, marked by large-scale destruction and an overwhelming loss of civilian life, is seen by many as a manifestation of Kahanist ideology in practice. Underlying the Israeli government’s rhetoric surrounding the Gaza conflict is a dehumanizing narrative that frames Palestinians not as victims of a violent occupation but as an existential threat to the Jewish state. This portrayal aligns closely with the Kahanist view that Palestinians, as a collective group, are a danger to the survival of Israel.

The rhetoric from government officials, including those influenced by Kahanism, consistently portrays the military operations as a battle of survival for the Jewish people, casting Gaza’s residents as either complicit in terrorism or actively engaged in violence against Israelis. This narrative has provided cover for some of the most severe military tactics, including indiscriminate bombings of civilian areas and the targeting of essential infrastructure. The toll of this conflict on Gaza’s population has been devastating, and international observers have widely condemned the Israeli military’s actions as violating the laws of war and potentially amounting to war crimes.

Kahanism’s influence is particularly visible in the Israeli government’s stance on ceasefire negotiations. Despite mounting international pressure and calls for an immediate halt to the fighting, Israeli officials, including those aligned with Kahanist ideology, have rejected these proposals. Their framing of the conflict as a zero-sum struggle necessitates the “eradication of Hamas,” and they view any compromise or peace agreement as a betrayal of Jewish survival. This uncompromising stance perpetuates the violence and suffering, leaving little room for reconciliation or negotiation.

Broader Implications

The rise of Kahanism within Israel’s political mainstream carries profound consequences not just for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but for the future of the region and Israel’s role on the global stage. Domestically, the increased prominence of far-right ideologies, including Kahanism, signals a shift away from any aspirations of peace with the Palestinians. The two-state solution, once a cornerstone of Israeli foreign policy, has become increasingly distant as the government’s policies reflect an unwavering commitment to Jewish expansionism and the marginalization of Palestinian rights.

Kahanism also poses a serious threat to the democratic fabric of Israel itself. The rise of authoritarian political figures such as Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, who promote policies of exclusion and violence, undermines the rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel and fuels societal division. These policies exacerbate tensions between Jews and Arabs within Israel, marginalizing the Arab population while creating a dangerous precedent for the future of the state’s democratic institutions.

On the international front, the normalization of Kahanist rhetoric and actions threatens to further isolate Israel. Israel’s relationships with key allies, including the United States and European countries, have been strained by its policies in Gaza, and the embrace of Kahanism risks deepening this divide. The perception of Israel as a democracy that upholds the rights of all its citizens is increasingly being undermined by its embrace of extremist ideologies and its treatment of Palestinians.

Conclusion

Kahanism, once relegated to the political fringe, is now an active and aggressive force within Israel’s government. Its influence is seen in policies that perpetuate violence, inequality, and the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza. The rise of Kahanist thought marks a dangerous shift in Israeli politics, one that rejects peace, justice, and coexistence in favor of a vision of domination and exclusion. To address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, it is not only essential to provide immediate humanitarian aid but also to confront the ideological forces that fuel the conflict.

Without addressing the resurgence of Kahanism, the prospects for peace, stability, and justice in the region remain uncertain.

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Prof. Ruel F. Pepa is a Filipino philosopher based in Madrid, Spain. A retired academic (Associate Professor IV), he taught Philosophy and Social Sciences for more than fifteen years at Trinity University of Asia, an Anglican university in the Philippines. He is a regular contributor to Global Research. 

Sources

Bard, Mitchell G. The Founding of Modern Israel: The Origins of Zionism and the Jewish State. Greenwood Press, 2018.

Pedahzur, Ami. The Israeli Response to Jewish Extremism and Violence: Defending Democracy. Indiana University Press, 2002.

Perliger, Arie, and Weinberg, Leonard. Jewish Self-Defense and Terrorist Groups Prior to the Establishment of Israel: Roots and Legacy. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 2003.

Rubenstein, Richard L., and Roth, John K. Approaches to Auschwitz: The Holocaust and Its Legacy. Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.

Sprinzak, Ehud. The Ascendance of Israel’s Radical Right. Oxford University Press, 1991.

Featured image: A boy sits in rubble in Gaza. Photo Credit: UNICEF

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