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Israel: The definition of a democratic fascist regime

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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- The article argues Israel is a

A planning commissioner for House of Wisdom Under Shelter argues that Israel's institutions are formally democratic but the country is descending into a state of "democratic fascism." The author contends that while Israel appears to be a robust democracy domestically, with a multi-party system and ongoing legal challenges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its sustained territorial expansion and avoidance of fixed borders draw comparisons to Nazi Germany's concept of "Lebensraum."

The definition of fascism at its core is the โ€œsubstantive destruction of democracy,โ€ so how can something like โ€œdemocratic fascismโ€ possibly exist?

โ€” Jang Seog-junThe author introduces the core paradox of the article's argument.

The article posits that Israel's definition of itself as a "Jewish democratic state" and its Basic Laws, which function in place of a written constitution, justify its actions. It suggests that the country's government deliberately avoids demarcating fixed borders and wages military operations to expand its territory, a practice the author likens to Nazi Germany's justification for expansion.

Even the warmonger himself, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is no dictator.

โ€” Jang Seog-junThe author acknowledges Netanyahu's political position within Israel's democratic framework.

This perspective suggests that Israel's actions, particularly its territorial expansion and the framing of its statehood, contradict democratic principles. The author implies that the nation's self-definition and ongoing military activities create a paradoxical situation, which they label as "democratic fascism," highlighting a perceived conflict between its democratic facade and its expansionist policies.

Israel is probably the worldโ€™s only country without definitive borders.

โ€” Jang Seog-junThe author highlights Israel's unique geopolitical situation as a key point in their argument.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.