Israel is standing firm in this ongoing conflict, preserving the values of Western civilization from the primitive ideology of Islamism.
In the complex landscape of global politics, a book titled "Defense of Civilization - Israel and Europe in the Islamic Threat" by Chaim Noll and Heinz Theißen, published in 2024, presents a compelling argument about the existential challenges Israel and Europe face from Islamic ideology, or Islamism.
The authors argue that Israel and Europe are at the forefront of a significant threat posed by Islamism, a radical political-religious ideology derived from Islam. This threat, they suggest, is not merely political or territorial, but a deeper civilizational clash.
The book emphasizes the defense of Israel as central to protecting Western civilization and its values against extremist Islamist threats. Douglas Murray, among other commentators, supports this view, stressing Israel's right to defend itself against groups that call for its destruction, framing the conflict as existential for both Israel and broader Western civilization.
However, the book's argument is not without controversy. Some, like the SPD and Greens, question the necessity of such a robust defense, with Hamas' asymmetric warfare of disinformation seemingly not bothering them. This disconnect is particularly evident in the West's perceived weakness, which, according to the book, makes divided Muslims stronger.
The authors also critique Western politics for what they see as a lingering error from Zbigniew Brzezinski's assertion that there was no global Islamism, thus no need for a policy against it. They argue that this mindset has led to a long-globalized war of Islamists that threatens not only the West but also states like Russia and China, and secular actors in the Islamic world.
Moreover, the book suggests that today's Europe is facing a self-destruction due to a fatal indirect alliance between Islamists and Western leftists who have always fought against capitalism. This alliance, they claim, has led to the erosion of Western values and the weakening of the family and nation, a contrast to the resilience of these structures in Israel.
The book's publication comes at a time when the Jewish community, numbering 16.8 million worldwide, faces nearly two billion Muslims. Yet, the Muslims are divided, offering a potential advantage for Israel and its allies. However, the West's alleged values are no longer reliable, and the search for reliable allies becomes increasingly crucial.
The author warns that if Israel falls, it would only be able to retreat into an ever-shrinking fortress. This prospect is a stark reminder of the stakes involved in the ongoing struggle against Islamism, a struggle that the book argues must be met with unwavering resolve and a robust defense of civilization.
As the German state's interest in supporting Israel comes under scrutiny, the book's arguments about the existential threat posed by Islamism may find renewed relevance. The future of Israel, Europe, and the West, the authors argue, hinges on the ability to confront and counter the threat of Islamism effectively.
- The controversial book, "Defense of Civilization", argues that war-and-conflicts are not the only concern for Israel and Europe, as they are at the forefront of a wider civilizational clash with Islamism, a radical political-religious ideology from Islam.
- The publication highlights the significant role of politics in shaping the response to this civilizational challenge, criticizing Westernpolitics for a lingering mindset that underestimated the threat of global Islamism, potentially weakening the defense against it.
