‘Hamas and Hezbollah part of global Left’: American philosopher Judith Butler's comment resurfaces on social media

In 2006, American philosopher Judith Butler made a statement during a discussion at UC Berkeley that has since attracted significant attention. When asked about Hamas and Hezbollah and whether they posed a threat to Israel’s existence, Butler remarked that understanding these groups as social movements that are progressive and part of a global Left was essential, even though this did not preclude criticism of their methods, including their use of violence.They also emphasized that it was important to explore non-violent alternatives and engage critically with these movements.



Reacting, Elon Musks wrote: "interesting"

Butler later clarified their position, explaining that they had been responding to a question about whether Hamas and Hezbollah could be considered part of the global Left. They explained that, from a descriptive standpoint, these groups identified as anti-imperialist, which aligns with a characteristic of the global Left. However, Butler stressed that being part of the Left requires critical evaluation, and they did not endorse all aspects of these groups.
She had later explained: “I was asked by a member of an academic audience a few years ago whether I thought Hamas and Hezbollah belonged to "the global left" and I replied with two points. My first point was merely descriptive: those political organizations define themselves as anti-imperialist, and anti-imperialism is one characteristic of the global left, so on that basis one could describe them as part of the global left. My second point was then critical: as with any group on the left, one has to decide whether one is for that group or against that group, and one needs to critically evaluate their stand.”

More recently, Butler has distanced themself further from these groups, particularly after a resurgence in violence. On 13th October 2023, Butler unequivocally condemned the violence committed by Hamas, calling it a “terrifying and revolting massacre,” marking a significant shift in their stance. Despite this, they continue to advocate for a philosophical framework that considers resistance movements as responses to state power, particularly in the context of Israel.
Judith Butler’s views on Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Middle East, particularly in relation to anti-imperialism, have sparked much debate. While Butler acknowledged that these groups could be seen as part of the global Left due to their opposition to occupation, they consistently maintained that this was not an endorsement of their methods or violence. Butler has advocated for a more nuanced understanding of such groups, challenging binary labels such as "terrorist" versus "freedom fighter," while also maintaining a strong opposition to violence, including that perpetrated by these groups, and condemning anti-Semitism. Their critiques of Israeli policies have always been framed as opposition to state violence, not to Jewish identity.
Who is Judith Butler?
Judith Butler is also widely known for their contributions to gender theory and philosophy. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1956, they introduced the influential concept of gender performativity, arguing that gender is not a fixed identity but a series of acts and behaviours performed repeatedly over time. This concept, which they explored in their 1990 book Gender Trouble, has been groundbreaking in feminist and queer theory.
In addition to their academic achievements, Butler has been an active political voice, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, and anti-war movements. They have also been a vocal critic of Israeli policies and a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a stance that has attracted both support and controversy. Butler’s work has earned them numerous accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Theodor W. Adorno Prize, recognising their significant contributions to political thought and philosophy.