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Hatred of Israel and the Degradation of the West

Source: The New York Times \ Author: Bret Stephens, Opinion Columnist \ Date: 2026-05-20

TL;DR

Bret Stephens argues that global discourse has shifted from legitimate, good-faith criticism of Israeli policy into a darker, irrational hatred of the state itself. This hatred — coming from the far right but especially the far and not-so-far left — is a symptom of the broader moral and intellectual "degradation of the West." Societies that value reasoned moral judgment, he contends, do not make a fetish of demonising one small country and its people.

Criticism vs. Hatred

Stephens carefully distinguishes between valid criticisms of Israel and irrational hatred:

Valid criticisms of Israel:

  • Benjamin Netanyahu putting political interests ahead of national ones.
  • Itamar Ben-Gvir displaying a portrait of the mass murderer Baruch Goldstein.
  • Radical settlers abusing and killing Palestinian neighbours with minimal government pushback.
  • The Gaza War's heavy civilian toll without removing Hamas from power.
  • A failed Iran strategy.
  • Resignation to a bleak, interminable status quo on the Palestinian issue.
  • Allegations (including by Israelis) of prisoner abuse.

Characteristics of hatred:

  • Hyperbolic and conspiratorial framing.
  • Belief that Israelis are perpetually intent on spilling blood.
  • Social acceptance of boycotting, assailing, and assaulting Israelis for their government's actions.
  • Conviction that Israel was a "mistake" and has no right to exist.

"None of these impulses are justified indictments of Israel. They are indictments of the indicters."

Sources of Hatred

Stephens identifies the sources as: - The far right - The far and not-so-far left (emphasised as the larger vector)

The Core Thesis

The hatred of Israel is not primarily about Israel itself. It reflects a broader degradation of the West — a loss of capacity for reasoned moral judgment, critical thinking, and proportionate response. Stephens frames his 25+ years covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the basis for observing this degradation firsthand.

"Societies that value critical thinking and reasoned moral judgment do not make a fetish of demonising one small country and its people while imagining that peace, justice and freedom would somehow be achieved if only the country and its people were made to disappear."

Note: The full article sits behind the NYT paywall; this summary is based on the publicly available portion.