As cynical as it is brilliant: cloaking their agenda in a faux crusade against antisemitism

New York, N.Y. –– The American far-right’s latest political maneuver is as cynical as it is brilliant: cloaking their agenda in a faux crusade against antisemitism. On the surface, it’s a noble cause—who could argue against fighting hate? But peel back the layers, and it’s clear this is less about protecting Jewish communities and more about weaponizing a serious issue for electoral gain, cultural clout, and a convenient shield against their own troubling tendencies.

I’ve watched this unfold with a mix of frustration and grudging admiration for its sheer audacity.

Far-right figures—think populist politicians, provocateur pundits, and their online cheerleaders—have latched onto “antisemitism” as a rallying cry. They decry it loudly, often pointing fingers at the left, immigrants, or nebulous “globalist” boogeymen.

Yet their track record tells a different story. Many of these same voices have flirted with extremist rhetoric, cozied up to conspiracy theorists, or trafficked in dogwhistles that echo the very antisemitic tropes they claim to oppose.

The hypocrisy is staggering, but the strategy? It’s damn near perfect.

Take the recent wave of far-right leaders in Europe and the U.S. who’ve pivoted to this tactic. They’ll condemn antisemitic incidents—like vandalism of synagogues or online hate campaigns—with theatrical outrage.

But then, in the next breath, they’ll push narratives about “cultural replacement” or “elites” that borrow heavily from antisemitic playbooks of the past. It’s a sleight of hand: control the conversation, look virtuous, and dodge accountability for their own baggage. And it works because it exploits a real problem—antisemitism is rising globally—while deflecting scrutiny from their role in fanning divisive flames.

The genius lies in its simplicity. Antisemitism is an emotional lightning rod.

It’s a unifying enemy for a fractured base, something tangible to rail against without alienating too many voters. Unlike their usual targets—say, immigrants or progressive policies—this one lets them play the good guy. They get to posture as defenders of a persecuted minority, which conveniently obscures their history of marginalizing others. It’s a win-win: they score moral points and keep their core supporters energized, all while the contradiction goes largely unchallenged.

I’m not saying antisemitism isn’t a real threat—it is, and it’s ugly.

Data backs this up: hate crimes against Jewish people have spiked in recent years, from physical attacks to online vitriol. But the far-right’s sudden concern feels less like a Damascus Road conversion and more like a calculated rebrand. Where were they when their own ideological fringes—like certain alt-right factions—were peddling Protocols of the Elders of Zion-style conspiracies? Or when their leaders praised figures with dubious histories? The silence was deafening until it became politically expedient to speak.

What’s more infuriating is how this muddies the waters.

Genuine efforts to combat antisemitism—by activists, educators, or even moderate politicians—get drowned out by the far-right’s noise. Their performative outrage turns a complex issue into a partisan football, making it harder to address the root causes. And let’s be real: their solutions, often tied to anti-immigrant or nationalist agendas, don’t actually help Jewish communities. If anything, they deepen the societal fractures that fuel hate in the first place.

The left isn’t blameless here either—some of its rhetoric has veered into dangerous territory, and that deserves critique. But the far-right’s gambit is uniquely insidious because it’s so deliberate. They’ve found a way to launder their image through a cause that’s hard to oppose, banking on the fact that most people won’t dig deeper. And the media? Too often, they take the bait, amplifying the narrative without asking the tough questions.

Call me cynical, but I see this for what it is: a masterstroke of political theater.

The far-right doesn’t have to reconcile their contradictions or clean house—they just have to sound convincing. And in an age of short attention spans and outrage-driven news cycles, that’s enough. My take? We should applaud the ingenuity while condemning the intent. Antisemitism deserves a real fight, not a pretend one. Until the far-right proves their sincerity with actions—not just words—I’ll keep calling it like I see it: a perfect, shameless strategy.

Far-Right’s Fake War on Antisemitism: A Cynical Genius Move (March 23, 2025)

#FarRightStrategy, #AntisemitismPolitics, #PoliticalTheater, #CynicalCrusade