On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, which marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, it’s worth reflecting on a disturbing pattern: how propaganda has been used to vilify Jews in different eras. The lessons we thought we learned from World War II— about the dangers of hateful narratives—seem to be fading. Today, some of the same tactics used by the Nazis are being deployed by Islamist/ Marxist movements and their supporters to turn public opinion against Israel, with worrying consequences.
|
A copy Adolf Hitler’s sick autobiography, “Mein Kampf,” was found inside a child’s bedroom at a Hamas base in the
Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities said. The copy of the Nazi leader’s 1925 autobiography outlining his deadly journey into antisemitism and the genocide of millions of Jews and other ethnic minorities during the Holocaust included “annotations and highlights,”
The book was discovered among the personal belongs of one of the terrorists,” the IDF said in the online post. “Hamas embraces the ideology of Hitler, the one responsible for the annihilation of the Jewish People.” -
NY Post 11/12/23
|
What Happened in Nazi Germany
The Nazis used propaganda to convince Germans that Jews were the root of society’s problems. Newspapers, posters, and films portrayed Jewish people as subhuman and dangerous, blaming them for economic woes and cultural decay. These messages played on centuries-old prejudices in Europe, where anti-Semitic stereotypes had taken root in Christian doctrine and culture. The propaganda worked. Ordinary Germans accepted these lies, enabling the persecution and eventual genocide of six million Jews.
How It’s Happening Again
Fast forward to today, and we see a similar playbook being used by Hamas and its allies, including Qatar. Through modern media and social networks, they spread the message that Israel is an oppressor, responsible for all Palestinian suffering. Casualty figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health—controlled by Hamas—are often inflated or misleading, but they’re repeated by Western media without much scrutiny. Staged events and manipulated images also flood the internet, painting Israel as a brutal aggressor.
Phrases like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” or “Free Palestine” have become rallying cries in protests worldwide. But few stop to question the implications—these slogans call for the elimination of Israel. Meanwhile, Israel’s side of the story, including its right to defend itself against rocket attacks and terrorism, is often ignored.
Why It Matters
Just as Nazi propaganda dehumanized Jews to justify their persecution, today’s anti-Israel narratives have made it acceptable to vilify and scapegoat Jewish people once again. In cities across the West, we’ve seen people tearing down posters of kidnapped Israelis, vandalizing Jewish schools and synagogues, and chanting slogans that call for Israel’s destruction.
This isn’t just about spreading lies and hatred; it’s about how those lies pave the way for authoritarian tyranny. The Islamo-Marxist scapegoating of the Jewish state echoes Nazi tactics: using propaganda to consolidate power by uniting people against a common enemy. In Nazi Germany, this propaganda enabled National Socialists to dominate Europe, suppress dissent, and commit atrocities not only against Jews but against all who opposed their rule. Today, Hamas and its allies exploit similar methods to justify their authoritarian agendas and silence diverse voices within their societies.
The Bigger Picture
What’s most alarming is how easily the media and the public have bought into this propaganda. On this solemn day of remembrance, we should ask ourselves: Have we really learned the lessons of the Holocaust? The Nazis taught the world that scapegoating Jews isn’t just dangerous for them—it’s a tool for tyranny that harms everyone. If we fail to recognize and challenge these tactics, we risk enabling the rise of new authoritarian movements that use hatred and division to manipulate society under absolute power.
Beacon of Light: Service, Commitment, and Community at the Republican Women of Thousand Oaks, CA LuncheonThe annual autumn holiday gathering of the Republican Women of Thousand Oaks brought together community leaders, longtime supporters, and guests for an afternoon devoted to service, civic responsibility, and shared values. Held at the Sherwood Country Club, the event combined reflection, recognition, and celebration — grounded in a commitment to community and continuity.
Opening: A Spirit of WelcomeThe luncheon opened with holiday carolers greeting guests as they arrived, setting a warm and communal tone for the afternoon.
Carolers welcoming guests
Holiday, Dove Flock release ceremony by Beatrice and Rosemary of Republican Women of Thousand Oaks A Moment of Reflection: The Dove Release In the lead-up to the award presentation, the program staged a traditional symbolic moment — the release of doves — representing peace, continuity, and shared purpose. Organized by co-leaders Beatrice Restifo and Rosemary Licata, the three honorees, Karen Siegemund, Bob Donovan, and John Duffy were presented doves to release with the flock. Dr. Karen Siegemund, one of the recipients of a Beacon of Light Award, reflects on the moment of holding and releasing the dove. She spoke about the meaning behind the gesture and the responsibility it represents.
“When you hold something living in your hands, you feel how much care it requires. That’s what this work is about — responsibility, compassion, and connection.”
Dove Release quotes by Karen Siegemund and Mrs. Rosemary Licata
The program then began with remarks from Rabbi Michael Barclay, who offered words of gratitude and reflection on the importance of community, service, and shared responsibility.
“We ask your blessing upon the people gathered here… upon those who serve and give of themselves.”
Rabbi Michael Barclay praises Republican Women's of Thousand Oaks' group and leaders at Sherwood Country Club luncheon. The Meaning of the MomentMrs. Rosemary Licata leads Beacon of Light - Awards Presentation
Bob Donovan accepts "Beacon of Light - Patriot Award" RecipientIn his remarks, Bob Donovan reflected on the values that shaped his life and his belief in civic responsibility, personal accountability, and the importance of standing by one’s principles. His remarks emphasized gratitude for the country, respect for community, and the obligation to contribute rather than withdraw.
John Duffy accepts "Beacon of Light - Americanism Award"
The Americanism Award was presented to John Duffy, recognizing his long-standing commitment to civic engagement and public responsibility.
In his remarks, Duffy spoke about his personal journey — one shaped by reflection, growth, and an evolving understanding of civic duty. He spoke openly about how his views developed over time and the importance of remaining grounded in principle while engaging respectfully with others.
“I’ve come to understand that citizenship isn’t passive,” Mr. Duffy noted. “It requires responsibility, thoughtfulness, and the willingness to stand for what you believe in.”
Karen Siegemund, who heads the American Freedom Alliance accepts Americanism Award for Community Leadership / Service. Focus: stewardship, continuity, dedication.
Beatrice Restifo addressing the gathered attendees As host and long-time leader of the organization, Beatrice Restifo addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of service, civic engagement, and supporting those who give back.
She spoke about the group’s ongoing commitment to veterans and community programs, noting that meaningful impact comes from consistent, hands-on involvement.
“This organization exists because people care enough to show up and to serve,” she said. “That commitment is what keeps our community strong.”
Mrs. Restifo, who has long helped guide the organization’s mission, spoke about the deeper purpose behind the gathering and the work it represents. She described the group not simply as a social organization, but as a community built around service, responsibility, and care for others. For her, the heart of the organization lies in its willingness to step forward — to support veterans, to assist those in need, and to create a space where people feel welcomed and valued. She spoke of continuity and commitment, emphasizing that the group’s strength comes from individuals who show up year after year, not for recognition, but because they believe in contributing something meaningful. In her remarks, she underscored that the organization’s purpose is not symbolic but active — rooted in action, generosity, and a shared sense of duty to the broader community.
Interview with John Duffy, recipient of the Patriot Award. He spoke about the values that have shaped his life and his belief in the enduring strength of the American people.
“We have the greatest country in the world,” he said, reflecting on the responsibility that comes with that privilege. “What makes it work is the people — their willingness to step up, to care, and to contribute.”
Mr. Duffy emphasized that civic responsibility is not abstract, but lived out in everyday actions and personal commitment.
Luncheon guests enjoying Republican Women of Thousand Oaks' Holiday Party
For more information regarding the group, its activities, meetings, and you becoming a member - please visit the Thousand Oaks Republican Women .
 | | David McCormick interviews Douglas Murray at R.J.C. 10/31 |
[00:00–04:30] Opening Banter & The “Two Wars” FrameworkSenator David McCormick introduces Douglas Murray as a leading voice on antisemitism, Israel, and the struggle against “death cults” in the democratic world. Murray jokes about Lindsey Graham leaving early and notes that, after spending so much time in Israel, he “feels a bit Jewish,” a nod to the cultural energy in the room. Murray outlines his central framing: the existence of two simultaneous wars. The first is the kinetic war Hamas began on October 7. The second—and, in his view, the more neglected one—is the ideological war unfolding in America and the broader West. He praises the IDF and IAF for “generational achievements” since the last RJC gathering: crushing Hamas in Gaza, degrading Hezbollah, and operating freely in a hostile region with American support.
[04:30–10:00] The Second War: Anti-Israelism as Anti-Westernism
Murray shifts focus to “the war at home.” Across the West—from the U.S. and U.K. to France, Canada, and
Australia—he sees large anti-Israel protests that echo each other regardless of geography. He cites Melbourne,
where thousands chant against Israel: “You’re in Melbourne—what’s it got to do with you?”
This isn’t simply pro-Palestinian sentiment, he argues, but the mainstreaming of support for Hamas. He notes that
at Princeton, protesters chanted “Glory to our martyrs,” explicitly adopting Hamas’ cause as their own.
McCormick recalls students in Pennsylvania assaulting a young man carrying an Israel flag and his campaign shirt.
As a non-Jew, he asks: What is the root cause of this sudden explosion?
[10:00–15:30] The Woke Guilt Machine & Projecting Sin onto IsraelMurray cites Soviet writer Vasily Grossman: “Tell me what you accuse the Jews of, and I’ll tell you what you’re
guilty of.” The Nazis accused Jews of racism and world domination; Iran accuses Israel of colonizing while it
extends influence
 | | Steven Mizel speaks with I.D.F's Nahal Infantry troops headed towards Gaza, May 2024 |
Few men leave the U.S. Marines without retaining the Corps inside them for life. Octogenarian Steven Mizel still does.
Though long out of US uniform, he still moves with a soldier’s sense of duty—this time to America’s closest ally,
Israel, a nation resisting the same Islamo-Marxist revolution that seeks to unmake the West from within.
Where the front lines shift, the moral fight is the same: to preserve western civilization.
At November’s Republican Jewish Coalition Leadership Summit, Mizel stood before American patriots and Jewish activists,
his foundation honoring wounded IDF reservist Itay Sagy with the
Defender of Freedom and Security Award. “To the soldiers wounded in this war—those to whom so much is owed,”
Mizel said, introducing a young man who turned near-death into testimony. The Marine’s salute to the Israeli fighter
framed the day’s theme: courage, duty, and the shared defense of liberty itself.
Setting the Stage: Steven Mizel’s Introduction
Presenter Steven Mizel framed the award as a tribute to the wounded “to whom so much is owed,” then introduced
Sagy — a reservist in the elite Sayeret Maglan unit — and summarized the ambush that would change his life.
“I Choose Life”: Itay Sagy’s Account
Sagy opens with disarming warmth — “I can’t be scared in a room full of people that cherish and love me” — before recounting
the sprint south after October 7, five days of combat, and a point-blank fight with terrorists “who fought from hate,” while his unit
fought “out of love for Israel… and for each other.”
“I feel something loving me… I see my future… a big house in the north full of kids… And I choose life.”
Gravely wounded by a grenade — neck torn open, right side unresponsive — Sagy recalls a teammate shielding him with his own body.
Shattered by the loss of brothers-in-arms, he struggled with failure until a comrade reminded him that his actions saved nine others.
From then on, he resolved to “be a hose and not a bottle” — to pour goodness forward and help others heal.
Ethics vs. Hatred: Sagy on Hamas, the IDF, and the Media
In a post-event interview, Sagy contrasts Hamas’s hatred with the IDF’s ethic of restraint — including cancelling missions if
civilians are in the perimeter. “War is terrible… mistakes happen,” he concedes, but the standard is protecting innocents.
He’s frank about skewed coverage abroad, yet prefers “educate” over “advocate,” trusting reasonable people to respond to facts plainly told.
Leadership and Resolve: Steven Mizel on the Free World
In a candid conversation at last year's Summit, Steven Mizel laments a world “in disarray,” and an America that no longer leads with confidence —
contrasting the present with periods when U.S. resolve was unmistakable. The implications, he argues, touch every American; hyper-focus on Israel
can distract from the wider threat network backed by Iran.
Veterans Day Reflection: Shared Courage, Shared Duty
The bond between American and Israeli veterans is more than alliance; it is kinship formed in the hard school of duty. Listening to Sagy
choosing life in the midst of death, and to Mizel insisting on moral clarity in a murky world, we’re reminded: the defense of freedom isn’t abstract.
It is personal, sacrificial, and — when rightly led — deeply humane.
This Veterans Day, we honor those who stand watch for all of us — who hold their fire when a civilian might be in the way, who run toward danger to pull
friends from it, and who, when the shooting stops, teach the truth patiently. May their courage steady our resolve; may their example guide our words and our vote.
Gen. Richard Clark, left, U.S. Air Force 3rd Air Force commander, and Israel Defense Force (IDF) Commander of the Aerial Defense Array, Brig. Gen. Zvika Haimovich, shake hands during the combined missile defense exercise Juniper Cobra 2018 in Israel.
Ken Abramowitz Sounds Alarm on NYC Mayoral Candidate at Republican Jewish Coalition 2025
Ken Abramowitz, President of Save The West, delivered pointed remarks about the upcoming New York City mayoral election at the Republican Jewish Coalition 2025 conference. Speaking just days before the election, Abramowitz expressed deep concerns about candidate Zohran Mamdani and what he sees as a systemic failure in the electoral process.
The Threat to New York
Abramowitz, a former New Yorker,
expressed sadness (0:24–0:30)
about the current state of New York City. He characterized the leading mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as representing foreign interests rather than American values.
According to Abramowitz (0:51–1:13),
Mamdani represents Iranian interests and adheres to an ideology fundamentally opposed to the principles that have made New York a diverse, thriving metropolis. He questioned how someone with such views could be allowed to run for mayor of a city with the world's second-largest Jewish population.
Constitutional Concerns
At 1:51–2:27 in the video,
Abramowitz raised concerns about what he describes as coded language around “globalizing the intifada,” which he interprets as incitement to violence. He argues that anyone running on such a platform should be disqualified from public office.
“We do not need alien invaders to come to New York and say they're going to violate the Constitution because they don't care about the Constitution.” –
3:48–3:59
He emphasized (4:06–4:27)
that candidates who openly oppose American constitutional principles should not be permitted to seek office, comparing it to allowing known criminals to run for public positions.
The Three-Colored Threat
Abramowitz outlined his framework (6:27–6:59) for understanding what he sees as America's major adversaries, color-coding them as:
- Reds – Communists
- Greens – Islamists
- Blues – Globalists
Systemic Failure
Starting at 7:15–7:53,
Abramowitz argued that allowing such a candidate to run represents a failure at every level of government—federal, state, and local. He drew parallels to other moments of systemic failure in American history, including Pearl Harbor and 9/11, and in Israel with October 7th.
He stated (8:00–8:40)
that candidates should be required to publicly renounce Sharia law and affirm their acceptance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights in English, Arabic, or Farsi before being permitted to run for office.
Cultural Protection
Using analogies about golf clubs and hypothetical scenarios in Saudi Arabia
(9:12–9:54),
Abramowitz emphasized his belief that societies must protect their founding values and cultural identity. He argued that just as other nations protect their cultural norms, America should do the same.
“Every culture has to protect its culture and can't allow foreign agents to come in and upset a culture of a country.” –
9:39–9:53
In his final analogy (9:55–10:38),
Abramowitz compared the situation to someone joining a golf club but wanting to convert it into a tennis facility—illustrating his point that organizations and societies must maintain their core identity and values.
A Call to Action
Abramowitz concluded by emphasizing that protecting American institutions and values requires vigilance. He called for mechanisms to prevent candidates who he believes represent foreign interests or oppose constitutional principles from seeking public office.
The full interview provides a stark warning about what Abramowitz and Save The West see as threats to American civic life, particularly in major urban centers. As New York voters head to the polls, these concerns highlight the intense debate over immigration, integration, and what it means to be American in the 21st century.
Watch the complete interview above to hear Ken Abramowitz’s full remarks and analysis.
|
