Antisemitic Slogans from Nazi Germany to Today

Catchy slogans are crucial in encapsulating a brand or product in just a few words and increasing brand recognition. But they can also be used for harmful purposes, such as spreading hate and lies. In Nazi Germany, propaganda slogans incited hatred, fueled discrimination, and unified people under a malevolent ideology.

Nazis meticulously designed slogans to instigate passivity and acceptance of the discriminatory actions taken against the Jewish population. These slogans portrayed the Nazi regime as a force restoring order, masking their true intentions behind a facade of perceived injustices against ethnic Germans in neighboring countries acquired post-World War I.

"All effective propaganda must limit itself only to a very few points and to use them like slogans." —Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

Following the invasion of the Soviet Union, Nazi propaganda intensified its efforts, supporting narratives that linked Soviet Communism with European Jewry. Germany positioned itself as the protector of "Western" values against the supposed "Judeo-Bolshevik threat," painting a grim picture of the consequences of a Soviet victory. These propaganda tactics, significantly amplified after the devastating defeat at Stalingrad, played a pivotal role in rallying support from both loyalists and coerced collaborators to continue the fight until the bitter end.

Below are some of the Nazi slogans and their meanings:

• "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" ("One People, One Realm, One Leader"): This slogan emphasized the unity of the German people under Adolf Hitler's leadership.
• "Juden sind unser Unglück" ("The Jews are our Misfortune"): This slogan blamed Jewish people for Germany's problems, fostering antisemitic sentiment.
• "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work sets you free"): This slogan was inscribed at the entrances of concentration camps and suggested that hard work would lead to liberation.
• "Blut und Boden" ("Blood and Soil"): This phrase connected ethnic purity with the rural homeland, advocating agrarianism and the expansion of the Aryan race's living space.
• "Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz" ("The common good before the self good"): This slogan promoted self-sacrifice for the benefit of the nation.
• "Deutschland erwache" ("Germany, awake!"): was a rallying call to rouse the German nation.
• "Unsere letzte Hoffnung: Hitler" ("Our last hope: Hitler"): This slogan portrayed Adolf Hitler as the savior of Germany.

These slogans were used as powerful tools for evoking emotional and psychological responses that aligned with the Nazi propaganda objectives.

Today, slogans are used to create polarization and spread extremist views. Following the tragic events of Hamas's attack on October 7th, there has been a notable surge in global support for Palestinians. This wave of solidarity has been fueled, in part, by impactful slogans that have become synonymous with the movement. However, many of these slogans carry inherent antisemitic undertones and advocate violence and the destruction of the State of Israel.

The prevalence of these slogans at pro-Palestinian rallies, particularly in major cities like New York and London, has coincided with a concerning rise in antisemitism. These parallel crises are not isolated but interconnected, fueled by a collective turning of a blind eye and deaf ear to the hateful rhetoric expressed during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, on university campuses, and in the media.

Below are some of the common phrases utilized by supporters of Hamas:

1. "From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free"

The widely used slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" advocates for a Palestinian state that stretches from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, effectively eradicating the presence of Jews and dismantling Israel. Originating back to the establishment of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, the chant historically called for a Palestinian state based on pre-1948 borders, contrasting with the Oslo Accords' pursuit of a two-state solution.

Despite subsequent developments like the formation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the PLO's recognition of Israel in the 1990s, the persistence of these chants underscores a continued push for Israeli displacement and the annihilation of Israel itself. While proponents argue for equal rights under a unified Palestinian state, the phrase has been interpreted differently by Hamas leaders, emphasizing uncompromising territorial claims devoid of Israeli presence. The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution denouncing the chanting, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." The House's resounding vote of 377-44 not only condemned the chant but also classified it as antisemitic, marking a significant stance against such rhetoric.

2. "Globalize the Intifada"

This slogan and "There is Only One Solution: Intifada Revolution!" promotes a worldwide uprising in support of Palestinian resistance against Israel. The term "Intifada," meaning "shaking off," symbolizes violent actions to combat Israeli control, historically associated with deadly attacks like those during the First and Second Intifadas. Advocates for globalizing this movement seek to broaden the scope of Palestinian resistance, linking it to broader international struggles and challenging systems of oppression.

While some of its proponents advocate for peaceful activism, using a term synonymous with violent resistance raises concerns regarding the underlying motivations and implications of such a call to action.

3. "Glory to Our Martyrs"

This chant resonates with the Palestinian Authority's Martyrs Fund, known colloquially as "Pay For Slay," which compensates families of individuals involved in violence against Israelis. Despite measures like the US's Taylor Force Act aimed at curbing such incentivized violence, the fund continues unabated, underscoring a glorification of terrorism within certain circles.

The Martyrs Fund, initiated in 2004 during the Second Intifada, serves to incentivize and support individuals engaged in anti-Israel activities, perpetuating a culture of violence and martyrdom. This celebration extends even to Hamas terrorists responsible for egregious attacks, reflecting a deep-seated glorification of violent acts in pursuit of political objectives.

4. "Zionism is racism"

Another frequent chant encountered at demonstrations, this phrase claims that the ideology supporting a Jewish national state is inherently discriminatory and undermines the Palestinian cause. The Soviet Union spearheaded the campaign to equate Zionism with racism, drawing from the fake Protocols of the Elders of Zion to support their claims. By misrepresenting Judaism's concept of the "chosen people" as promoting racial superiority, they laid the groundwork for a malicious slur that distorted the essence of Judaism.

This defamation spread to other regions, where accusations of Zionism being racist were repeated. While criticism of specific Israeli policies is valid, branding Zionism as intrinsically racist is not only discriminatory but also denies the Jewish people the right to self-determination—an entitlement afforded to all other nations. This phrase undermines Israel's legitimacy and undermines the rich diversity of Jewish life within the country.

5. "Free Palestine"

This slogan may not be as straightforward as others, and it seems like a righteous cause at first sight. Activist and former politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali has remarked that "Free Palestine" can be seen as antisemitism disguised as anti-colonialism. The current wave of anti-Jewish sentiment, veiled as support for Palestine, is often fueled by Islamic motives, aiming to normalize and legitimize hatred towards Zionists or Jews.

When observing global events and studying the Nazi regime, it is evident how powerful slogans can be in disseminating hateful propaganda. We must remain vigilant against the power of propaganda and critically assess the messages we encounter in order to resist being manipulated.