Merriam Webster define fascism as a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual. Others say that loyalty to tribe, ethnic identity, religion or tradition is the core of fascism. It is usually associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by forcible suppression of opposition.

An article by Alberto Toscano published on Verso Books’ website in 2023 claims that leftist and left-liberal Israelis have been decrying the country’s descent into fascism for years. He argues that fascism is embedded in the logic of Israel’s colonial project.

As more and more reports come out detailing Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza, such as that by Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory, and the fact the International Criminal Court as issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others, it seems clear that the current government could reasonably described described as fascist.

As Toscano writes: “the recognition of an incipient fascism in the latest Netanyahu government and even Israeli society at large seems, if not mainstream, certainly prominent in public discourse in Israel itself, not least in the wake of protests against the recent judicial reforms aimed at eviscerating the vaunted autonomy of Israel’s Supreme Court.”

Some, however, such as an article in the Haaretz newspaper on 24 June 2024, claim that Israel is, as yet, still on the “verge of fascism”.

We welcome reader’s comments on this emotive and controversial description of the Netanyahu government and Israeli society at large. Please use the comment box below.