Torn apart: how the Israel-Gaza war is dividing Western societies with ‘toxic, weaponised’ narratives
- Attempts to stifle anti-Israel dissent are creating a polarised environment along racial, religious and generational lines, analysts warn
- Marginalisation of Muslims is building up a sentiment of ‘Muslim lives don’t matter’ and could also fuel radicalisation and hate crimes against Jews
Governments, political parties and media platforms in major Western democracies, which back Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas and other Iran-allied militant groups, have equated sympathy for Palestinians – including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza – with support for these designated terrorist groups.
Political analysts have warned that right-wing European governments are dividing their societies along racial, religious and generational lines, as sports stars, Hollywood celebrities, journalists, academics and students expressing pro-Palestinian opinions have been reportedly called anti-Semites, and faced cancel-culture campaigns that forced many to backtrack and issue apologies.
“It creates a polarised environment which becomes very toxic and thereby we are importing the same toxic, weaponised narratives from the conflict in Gaza … and Israel, and importing them into Western society,” said Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of defence studies at King’s College London. “That is extremely problematic because you’re creating conflict within your own society.”
The war of words has been most visible in the footballing world, where players including French-Algerian star Karim Benzema have been shunned and accused of terrorist links by right-wing ministers and the media in France and Germany for sharing pro-Palestinian posts on social media.
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Humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza as food supplies run out after total Israeli blockade
