Discussing the Prohibition of Fascist and Zionist Actions: A Dialogue with Hindu Anderi
Going Against the Grain:
Venezuela's National Assembly is steering towards approving the "Anti-Fascist, Anti-Neo-Fascist, and Similar Acts Eradication Act," commonly known as the "Anti-Fascist Law." This bill aims to stamp out fascism and its ilk by banning content that promotes or glorifies these ideologies and mandating media outlets to embrace "peaceful coexistence, diversity, tolerance, and respect."
In this conversation, we chat with Hindu Anderi, a long-time activist from the Palestinian Cause Solidarity Platform. Their organization is advocating for the new law to encompass Zionist expressions and associations within Venezuela. Anderi presents a compelling case for including Zionism in the legislative act.
What's the gist behind the Anti-Fascist Law?
This timely law serves to address the tangible fascist threat both within Venezuela and globally, particularly in Europe and the US. Fascism has already reared its ugly head in parts of Latin America, such as Argentina and El Salvador.
In Venezuela, fascism has a long history, with security forces operating with fascist methods during the Fourth Republic. During Chavez's presidency, the opposition showed clear signs of fascism, both rhetorically and through acts of violence.
The guarimbas [extreme-right street protests] were a stark display of fascism, while the tragic case of Orlando Figuera, a young Venezuelan man murdered by a fascist mob in 2017, showed the violent face of fascism. More recently, the extreme right has destroyed and burned spaces associated with Chavismo, and several Chavista grassroots leaders have been assassinated in the post-July 28 violence.
The bill, which reached the National Assembly floor in April, is currently being debated in a process called "parlamentarismo de calle" [street parliamentarism] and will soon return for the final debate. The bill aims to stress democratic values and will classify fascism as a crime.
The Palestinian Cause Solidarity Platform pushes for Zionism to be included in the law. Can you give us some insights about this grassroots initiative?
Indeed, we've been urging Zionism to be integrated into the law alongside fascism, as both ideologies are closely linked. So far, our efforts have garnered support from some members of the National Assembly, and we're optimistic about having Zionism included in the final version.
Zionism is fascism's twin, born out of a racist foundation that thrives on dominance and territorial expansion. Zionism is a colonialist project promoting apartheid, subjugation, and death. Zionism is responsible for the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Like fascism, Zionism is exterminist.
Why include Zionism in this specific law?
Including Zionism in the law is essential because both ideologies are similarly damaging and operate in similar manners.
Fascism can be easily recognized, especially due to 20th-century Nazi-fascism and Hitler's genocide during World War II. On the other hand, Zionism has evolved, become more sophisticated, and is currently committing genocide openly while also perpetuating eternal war.
In Palestine, Zionism is attempting to wipe out an entire people, even though it does not use gas chambers like fascism. Instead, it is dismembering them.
In Venezuela, how does Zionism manifest itself?
Zionist associations in Venezuela and abroad have long conspired against the democratically elected government. For example, during the 2002 coup against Hugo Chavez, Rabbi Pynchas Brener, a Zionist agent, took the stage. More recently, opposition-led Chacao township dispatched police forces to train in Israel. While it is unclear whether that specific situation has been resolved, there are still Venezuelan mercenaries alongside the occupying IDF in Palestine.
Finally, Maria Corina Machado, the most visible leader of a fascist movement in Venezuela, also maintains strong ties with international Zionism. She has publicly supported the genocide in Gaza and requested military intervention in Venezuela from Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, Machado has promised to reopen Venezuela's embassy in Israel, this time in Jerusalem, if she comes to power.
If the new law includes Zionism, would it advance the global fight against Israel's expansionist and exterminist project?
Venezuela has a unique opportunity to contribute to the global struggle against Zionism, as the United Nations General Assembly previously declared "Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination" in 1975. However, laws against Zionism are rare because it is closely linked to capitalism and imperialism, wielding threats, coercion, and blockades to achieve its goals.
If Zionism is included in the Anti-Fascist Law, it will be a significant achievement of the Bolivarian Revolution and will be recognized by progressive forces and international bodies worldwide.
In another context, you mentioned that there is no possibility of reconciling Bolivarianism and socialism with Zionism and fascism. Can you elaborate on that?
Zionism, like fascism, poses a threat to life itself. When given free rein in a country, that country cannot be truly free, sovereign, or well-nourished. In places like Palestine, children suffer malnutrition due to U.S.-backed Zionism, while in Venezuela, children have gone hungry due to the impact of U.S. sanctions on the economy.
The sanctions imposed on Venezuela were requested by operatives such as the fascist and Zionist Maria Corina Machado.
Zionism, like fascism, contrasts sharply with the principles of any life-affirming society. It steals land, tortures, destroys, and is driven by a supremacist ideology with no boundaries. For these reasons, fascism and Zionism are fundamentally opposed to the Bolivarian doctrine and the socialist project.
We, the people of Venezuela, strive for sovereignty and emancipation, and taking a firm stance against fascism and Zionism is crucial in our struggle for a better future.
- Hindu Anderi, an activist from the Palestinian Cause Solidarity Platform, advocates for the Anti-Fascist Law to incorporate Zionism as well.
- The Palestinian Cause Solidarity Platform argues that Zionism is the twin of fascism, both born out of a racist foundation that thrives on dominance and territorial expansion.
- Anderi suggests that including Zionism in the Anti-Fascist Law is essential because both ideologies are similarly damaging and operate in similar manners.
- Zionist associations in Venezuela and abroad have historically conspired against democratically elected governments, as seen during the 2002 coup against Hugo Chavez.
- Maria Corina Machado, a visible leader of a fascist movement in Venezuela, maintains strong ties with international Zionism and has publicly supported the genocide in Gaza and requested military intervention.
- If the new law includes Zionism, it will be a significant achievement of the Bolivarian Revolution and will be recognized by progressive forces and international bodies worldwide.
- The inclusion of Zionism in the Anti-Fascist Law would advance the global fight against Israel's expansionist and exterminist project.
- The guarimbas and the subsequent violence in Venezuela are seen as stark displays of fascism, while the ongoing genocide in Gaza is attributed to Zionism.
- While sports, entertainment, pop-culture, and even sports betting on social media provide welcomed diversions from war and conflicts, government policy and legislation regarding Zionism and fascism should remain a priority in the general news and crime and justice discourse.
