Propaganda Then and Now: Lessons From Nazi Germany to Today’s Anti-Israel Narratives

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 80th 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 groups like Hamas 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.

January 6th political-prisoner returns to L.A. rallies; Shares experience that mainstream media intentionally misrepresents

Manny Melo and Ed Badalian, who demonstrated at the US Capitol Bldg on
January 6th, 2021, reunited at a Beverly Hills Freedom Rally group march
around Westwood, Los Angeles on October 19, 2024. Mr. Badalian served
50 weeks in federal detention for entering the Capitol Building 
 

Our interview with a pair of participants at the January 6th, '21 D.C. Trump Rally sheds light on their perspectives and experiences, particularly focusing on claims of government overreach and the narrative surrounding the events of that day.

Voices from the Rally

Two weeks before the November 2024 election, members of the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally group, like Manny Mello (pictured here) reunited with group member, Ed Badalian, who then was recently  released from 50 weeks in federal incarceration.

Mr. Melo emphasizes his activism rooted in a desire to promote an "America First" message. He noted that, despite marching in a liberal area like Westwood, California, he and his fellow conservatives receive support from those who are often afraid to speak out. This sentiment reflects a broader struggle among conservatives in traditionally liberal regions, where expressing their views can lead to backlash. 

Edward Badalian shared his journey into activism, which began in 2018. He described how the COVID-19 pandemic led him to engage in rallies such as the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally. Badalian's narrative took a darker turn when he recounted being raided by the FBI on April 1, 2021, following his participation in the January 6th events. He claimed that he was treated harshly during this encounter, which he described as a form of punishment for his political beliefs. 

Government Overreach Allegations 

Both men expressed strong feelings about their treatment by law enforcement and the judicial system. Badalian detailed his experiences in various prisons, emphasizing what he described as abusive conditions and unjust treatment of January 6th participants. He argued that the charges brought against him were politically motivated and lacked substantial evidence. He also highlighted his belief that no one has been charged with insurrection because there was no legitimate basis for such claims. According to him, many participants were merely there to hear President Trump speak and did not intend to engage in violence or insurrection. 

Claims of Agitation by Outside Forces 

A significant part of their narrative revolves around the assertion that outside agitators, particularly Antifa members, infiltrated the rally to instigate violence. Badalian recounted an incident where he attempted to stop individuals from breaking windows, suggesting that these actions were not representative of the rally-goers' intentions. He claimed that many attendees were unarmed and were there peacefully, contrasting their behavior with those he identified as provocateurs.

 

Badalian's assertion that some individuals at the rally were paid agitators adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about January 6th. He pointed to a specific incident where an individual admitted to being part of an organized effort to disrupt the event.

 

Manny Melo, Shiva Bagher of Bev Hills Freedom Rally and Ed

Conclusion

The interview reflects a deep-seated frustration among participants regarding how they perceive their actions have been mischaracterized by media narratives and government responses. They argue for recognition of their intentions as peaceful protesters rather than insurrectionists, while also calling attention to what they see as a pattern of government overreach and manipulation by outside forces during politically charged events. As discussions about January 6th continue, these voices underscore the ongoing divide in American political discourse and highlight concerns about civil liberties among conservative activists.