Genocide on the mind?: The use of memory in the construction of America and Israel’s national identity narrative.

Think about the stories your grandmother tells you. How do these stories and the long-held beliefs surrounding them shape not just your own identity but your family’s? We are often led to believe that states have convoluted and elaborate plans to construct a national identity, but often, the most straightforward form of propaganda is to play on human emotion. When constructing a national identity, actors will often use memory to shape a nation’s sense of belonging. The same way your grandmother’s stories bind your family together is the same way politicians will use memory to bind the political attitudes of a nation together. Memory is a powerful tool that can be used to build and further political claims and these actors reinforce a sense of shared history, values, and purpose among the populace by strategically invoking specific events, symbols, and historical milestones. Memory is such a powerful and startlingly efficient tool, the United States of America and Israel put memory at the forefront of the construction of their respective national identity narratives. These nuanced strategies employed in the construction of their narratives resonate with collective consciousness and contribute to the formation of a cohesive national identity. Actors use memory in their construction of a national identity narrative by constantly revisiting their origins (Kristeva, 1990). As the national identity relies on revisiting origins, I argue that it is specifically historical memory that is crucial in constructing it, specifically in young states (the US being only 248 years old and Israel being 75.) The newness of these nations requires them to overly rely on history and their origins to bolster self-importance due to the insecurity of being so “new”. Other states that have existed for hundreds and often thousands of years do not need to constantly revisit their history and origins to establish their legitimacy to exist and create a cohesive national identity, they have existed this long already, there is nothing to prove.

Historical memory is crucial for shaping national identity, impacting ethnic identity and societal cohesion (Plotnikova, 2020) . In addition to this, it contributes to the production of discourse that avoids symmetry and invites reflection on the origins of the national issue to be confronted in the context of the discourse (Kristeva, 1990). While both the US and Israel employ this framework, they do so from differing historical backgrounds. Both the US and Israel use memory to position themselves as beacons of progress, one as a hegemonic power and one as “the only democracy in the middle east.’ But while the United States does this from a position of existing power, Israel performs from a position of continuous victimhood to justify their actions and elevates itself into a position of power. Both nations however perform this rehashing of historical events due to the “youngness” of their respective nations and that insecurity.

So what are the processes used to employ memory into the construction of a national identity? Collective remembering is a sociocultural, developmental process present from early childhood through adolescence, influenced by family stories and history (Fivush, 2008). Memories can be personal, but they are shared, shaping individual and social identities. To remember collectively there needs to be collaborative recollection, where memories are shared, negotiated, and revised over time, integrating personal experiences with collaborative reminiscing. This aids in establishing a shared identity and cultural history, linking individual experiences to a larger context (Fivush, 2008). The Holocaust is used to construct Israel’s national identity by emphasising the centrality of the Holocaust in Israeli memory, especially with the imminent passing of survivors, which has led to a focus on the future of this memory. The role of survivors as guardians of Holocaust memory is significant, shaping the contours of Holocaust remembrance in Israel. But with them gone, the memory needs to be re-established and recontextualised for a younger generation. Through selfie aesthetics and subjective point-of-view shots, the Eva Stories project on Instagram used Instagram's stylistic and narrative strategies to bring Holocaust-related memories into social media. It created a responsive space for the audience to engage with Eva's story and the mediated memories. In order to provoke reflection, the project oscillated between proximity and distance between Eva as a victim and the users as co-creators of her social media memory (Ebbrecht-Hartmann, 2022). It is important for Israel to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive not just as a standard learning tool but also to justify military action. I would argue that projects like “Eva Stories” are used less as learning but more so to generate fear. Israel is a predominantly Jewish state, they already know what the Holocaust is, possibly more than any other nation on earth. But what is not ever present especially with the loss of actual Holocaust survivors, is the feeling of fear and of being hunted. Israelis need to be reminded of that feeling and need to feel it in the present day. By stretching the meaning of “Never Again” Israel can justify its military campaigns in the Middle East under the guise of preventing another Holocaust, despite there being little evidence of one occurring. The collective trauma of the Holocaust is utilized to underscore the necessity of a Jewish homeland as a refuge and a guarantee for Jewish survival. Lessons learned from past experiences can be conveyed through memory. In the present, individuals often use historical mistakes or successes to argue for or against specific policies. The objective of this approach is to utilize the wisdom gained from historical events to guide decision-making. So, when Israel references the Holocaust when speaking of their siege on Gaza, it can often be perceived as a “necessary” decision.

However, collective memory can fall short of constructing a national identity narrative, especially when those who are part of a nation are excluded from these memories. Israeli culture was founded mostly upon various expressions of the "hegemonic," Ashkenazi strand. This excludes significant strands such as Middle Easterners, Israeli Palestinians and Ethiopian Jews, groups who were not necessarily as affected by Historical events such as the Holocaust. These excluded groups have their own "invented traditions" and myths that contribute to the diverse Israeli past.  Thereby the concept of "collective memory" is considered too vague to clarify these interactions between different traditions, highlighting the need for further research into the complex architecture of Israeli culture (Weingrod, 1997) Historical memory is crucial for shaping national identity, impacting ethnic identity and societal cohesion (Plotnikova, 2020) Although officially a secular state, Israel is perceived as Jewish safe haven.

Actors use memory in constructing a national identity narrative by selectively remembering and forgetting parts of the past to fit the contemporary world's ontological reflection (Alister Miskimmon, 2017) The US, a culturally diverse nation incessantly uses the term “immigrants” to describe the settler colonialists that “discovered” the Americas. American cultural narratives often revolve around immigration, frontier experiences, and the American Dream. National identity as a land of opportunity and freedom is shaped by these narratives, which contribute to the collective memory. The concept of conquering a wilderness came into American vocabulary from these settlers. But those who sailed on the Mayflower did not encounter a wilderness as we typically use the word now (Mancall, 2023). Even Samuel de Champlain and Captain John Smith acknowledged at the time that these English arrived in long-settled Wampanoag territory. Patuxent, the town the English renamed New Plymouth, was surrounded by cornfields, not thick woods. America needs to posit itself as a pioneer in the modern world. It constructs this national identity narrative by behaving like they “discovered” the lands it currently exists upon positioning itself as the “firstcomers.” It is important for America to always establish itself as “the first” to maintain its place as the hegemonic power. It does not fit its narrative to acknowledge it was actually Nordic travellers that made their way to America long before Columbus. America needs to be characterised as the first democracy in the world to legitimise its claims to “promoting” democracy in other parts of the world. America will remember that its current white population travelled to America and “co-existed with the Natives” occasionally but will forget that when we look at history often, modern America was built on the use of force and genocide. America revisits its origins as a state and retells it to fit their national identity narrative.

Memories of existential threats are often utilised to construct national identity narratives. To legitimize their political authority, leaders often rely on historical memory. They align themselves with revered figures or historical movements to present their current actions as consistent with the nation's traditions and values. The United States highlights the memory of facing existential threats to justify their military action. Indelible marks were left on America's collective consciousness by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As a result of the attacks, Americans' perception of themselves and their role in the world underwent a seismic shift. As a result, the United States experienced an upsurge of patriotism and a rallying around shared values, emphasizing concepts such as freedom, resilience, and national unity (Brewer, 2004). A sense of purpose was redefined following the tragedy and vigilance was intensified against external threats, influencing the nation's domestic policies and global outlook. This narrative positioned the U.S. as a defender of democratic values, leading to the War on Terror and military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. In the wake of 9/11, America's identity continues to be shaped, influencing debates about security, immigration, and civil liberties, and reinforcing the narrative of resilience and strength. Great power identity refers to the perception and portrayal of a state as a superior entity compared to others, often involving building alliances, claiming superiority, and encouraging citizens to see their own state as superior, as seen in the cases of the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold (Alister Miskimmon, 2017) The United States used the memory of 9/11 to reinforce its Great Power identity.

Israeli identity narratives are intrinsically linked to Zionism and the 1948 establishment of the state. Israeli identity narratives are shaped by the memories of pioneers who settled the land and the struggle for independence against various challenges. One of these challenges being the pervasive antisemitism that Jewish people have faced for millennia. Because of how pervasive antisemitism is and the role the West played somewhat in the progression of the Holocaust there is often a lax response by the West when Israel claims something as antisemitic due to that underlying guilt. Germany's responsibility for the Holocaust leads many German decisionmakers to view Israel's security as intrinsically linked to Germany's national interest (often referred to as Staatsräson, ‘reasons of state’.) Germany has used the Holocaust memory to silence criticism of Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, and people around the world have looked on in horror. Germany has responded to the conflict like the United States: both have increased their weapons supply to Israel and supported Israel against South Africa at the International Court of Justice. Nevertheless, Germany has gone much further than the United States in persecuting protesters, artists, and intellectuals who expressed sympathy for and solidarity with the Palestinians. With its responsibility for a barely distant genocide, it wields moral authority. International observers once celebrated Erinnerungskultur, or memory culture, as an exemplary method for dealing with the past, but this invocation of the Holocaust to condemn critics of Israel is a far cry from it (Kundnani, 2024). It appears guilt is not enough to inspire change. Simply remembering genocide is not enough for Germany to prevent another.

A strategic narrative is a narrative that becomes strategic when it aims to ensure that the story it tells will happen or threatens severe consequences if it does not. This coercion is similar to law, seeking to bind actors to roles and expected behaviours, making it entangled with systems of promotion and legitimation beyond just rhetorical strategy (Alister Miskimmon, 2017) Israel has strategically engaged in reshaping the definition of antisemitism, transforming it into a narrative with strategic implications. Now there is a deep conflation between criticism of the Israeli government and antisemitism. Although those who do make antisemitic remarks should face consequences, because of this conflation those who merely criticise the Israeli government are receiving punishment (McGreal, 2023). By framing the discourse around antisemitism not only as a descriptive term but also as a prescriptive force, Israel seeks to ensure that certain actions or policies are enacted to protect against perceived threats. To bind actors to certain roles and behaviours, Israel ties the changing definition of antisemitism to potentially severe consequences. The aim is to establish a normative understanding that influences not only public discourse, but also national and international policy decisions beyond mere rhetoric. Israel would not be able to do this without employing memories of the Holocaust and weaponising it.

In conclusion, the exploration of how actors use memory in constructing national identity narratives reveals the intricate interplay between historical consciousness, political claims, and the sense of collective belonging. Memory serves as a powerful tool to reinforce a shared sense of history, values, and purpose between the United States and Israel. Moreover, revisiting origins is a central theme of national identity construction, particularly through historical memory. Historical memory plays a crucial role in shaping a nation's identity, affecting not only its sense of self but also ethnic identity and societal cohesion. I have explored how actors in the United States and Israel use memory in unique ways to position themselves in the global arena. Discourse also played a role in this process, emphasizing the deliberate avoidance of symmetry and the invitation to reflect on national issues' origins. The U.S. leverages memory to position itself as a pioneer and global leader in pursuing freedom, while Israel employs memory to establish itself as an entity beyond criticism. By examining memory in the construction of national identity narratives, we emphasize the dynamic nature of identity formation, and the nuanced strategies actors employ to shape the narrative according to their national contexts. While your grandmother tells stories of how your family immigrated to survive, Israel and The United States tell stories of genocide to justify their survival.

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