Essay 'Zionism for All' Sparks Debate on National Identity in Europe and Israel

In Tablet magazine, Alana Newhouse's essay titled 'Zionism for All' has ignited discussions among conservative thinkers. The editor-in-chief posits that Israel represents what the West has forfeited: a robust sense of national pride and unity. Her extensive 40,000-character article, which historian Niall Ferguson commends, argues that the West's preoccupation with Israel stems from its vibrant nationalism, rather than solely from the Gaza conflict or antisemitism. Newhouse connects the decline of national sentiment in Europe to rising political fragmentation and right-wing populism. She observes that left-wing Israeli demonstrators display national flags, a contrast to post-WWII Western Europe. The essay examines how countries like Switzerland forged identity through myths and how existential threats, such as the October 7 Hamas attacks, can strengthen national solidarity. Newhouse calls for Western nations to assertively uphold their histories.