April 23, 6:00 PM EDT - Zoom

Smear & State Violence, from Nazi Antisemitism to US Anti-Palestinian Rhetoric with Barry Trachtenberg

This talk examines the rhetorical strategies used by Nazi Germany to portray Jews as incompatible with German society, and exposes the frightening parallels in today’s pro-Israel rhetoric justifying the ongoing genocide against Palestinians. Drawing on historical documentation and current events, this talk reveals how language, imagery, and policy have been weaponized to justify violence and silence dissent — and then disavowed, to deny that repression has taken place. The presentation demonstrates how techniques of othering, including accusations of subversion, threats to national security, and cultural and racial incompatibility, appear in both contexts despite their different historical circumstances. Such a comparative analysis invites reflection on how historical awareness might inform solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide today.

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