What’s happening:

An Arabic translation of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf was recently found in Gaza and displayed on the BBC by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The book was reportedly in the possession of a Hamas terrorist killed by Israeli forces. This discovery has amplified the debate on the ideological motivations behind the October 7 massacre in Israel by Hamas terrorists.

Why it matters:

The presence of Hitler’s manifesto raises questions about the influence of Nazi ideology on Hamas. The debate centers around whether the October 7 massacre – the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust – was inspired by the same antisemitic beliefs that fueled the genocide of six million Jews by the Nazis.

The influence of Nazi ideology:

Historical evidence suggests a connection between European Nazi ideology and anti-Jewish sentiments in the Middle East. Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, is documented to have had interactions with Nazi sympathizers, which may have influenced their worldview and actions.

Disputes on ideological motivations:

While some scholars argue that the October 7 attacks were driven by territorial motives, others, including President Herzog, suggest that Hamas’s actions are rooted in a genocidal antisemitism akin to that of the Nazis.

The Hamas Charter and Nazi parallels:

Debate continues over the Hamas Charter, which some argue is a genocidal document that echoes Nazi ideology by blaming global ills on Jews. Others, however, caution against direct comparisons with the Holocaust, given the different historical contexts and the existence of a Jewish state.

Islamic State or Nazism:

Comparisons between Hamas and other extremist groups like the Islamic State are also being made. However, unlike ISIS, Hamas specifically targets Jews, which aligns more closely with the selective genocidal intent of the Nazis.

Antisemitism in Hamas’s worldview:

The discovery of Mein Kampf in Gaza supports the argument that Nazi antisemitism has influenced Hamas’s ideology. This is further evidenced by the group’s adoption of antisemitic tropes similar to those in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Global reaction and the danger of antisemitism:

Reactions to the massacre and subsequent conflict have seen the resurgence of classic antisemitic imagery and conspiracy theories, highlighting the persistent challenge of antisemitism in shaping public perception and discourse.

The takeaway:

The discovery of Mein Kampf in Gaza has reignited discussions about the ideological underpinnings of Hamas’s actions. While the debate continues over the exact motivations and appropriate historical comparisons, the evidence of Nazi-inspired antisemitism within Hamas’s ideology is a troubling indicator of the persistent threat of genocidal hatred.

This story was first published on jpost.