Another Milestone for the Mainstreaming of Antisemitism The New America Foundation and Max Blumenthal's Goliath

Key Findings:

Every year, the The New America Foundation (NAF) hosts more than 150 events on topical issues related to NAF programs. These events also include presentations on newly published books, and it should go without saying that the authors of these books usually have impressive professional credentials and solid expertise in their fields. However, on December 4, 2013, the NAF hosted an event for which neither the author nor the book seemed qualified, particularly in view of the fact that the event was part of the NAF’s National Security Program. Already the title of the book that was to be presented – Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel – indicated that this was not a sober analysis of the complex challenges faced by Israel (as a longtime US-ally), and that the book’s author, Max Blumenthal, clearly had no credentials or expertise related in any way to US national security questions.

This paper argues that, by providing a platform to Max Blumenthal for the promotion of his book Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel, the New America Foundation (NAF) bestowed legitimacy on a book that is, in effect, antisemitic because its author intended to convince readers that Israel should be equated with Nazi Germany. 

This paper shows that during the NAF event, Blumenthal was allowed to justify his comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany without being challenged. Furthermore, it documents that when the event was held, the NAF already knew, or could have known, that the book had been eagerly embraced by notorious antisemites and that it primarily appealed to activists campaigning for the delegitimization and elimination of Israel as a Jewish state. Blumenthal expected – and indeed received – mainstream recognition in the aftermath of the NAF event, including an endorsement by a NAF board member.

 At the same time, however, there were additional endorsements for his book that illustrate its appeal to groups and individuals opposing Israel’s existence as a Jewish state and espousing antisemitic views. As documented, Blumenthal himself endorsed reviews that praised his book for making the case that equating Israel and Nazi Germany is entirely justified.