Dutch columnist Leon de Winter compared a series of political setbacks to the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of Palestinians, in recent commentary. De Winter characterized the current political climate as a sequence of “defeat after defeat,” suggesting the scale of these losses mirrors a historical catastrophe.
Characterization of political setbacks
In his recent commentary, De Winter described a pattern of continuous losses within the political sphere. He used the phrase “defeat after defeat” to frame the current situation as a period of sustained failure for his ideological interests.
Defeat after defeat, those were Nakba times.
Leon de Winter, columnist
The role of the columnist and the Dutch media landscape
Leon de Winter is a prominent figure in Dutch journalism, primarily known for his work as a columnist for De Telegraaf, the largest Dutch-language daily newspaper. His commentary frequently addresses themes of national identity, immigration, and the shifting political landscape within Europe and the Netherlands. In the Dutch media ecosystem, columnists in major dailies play a significant role in shaping the discourse of the political center and right, providing a platform for ideological critiques of government policy and societal changes.
By publishing in De Telegraaf, De Winter’s perspectives reach a broad audience of readers who often engage with conservative and populist political viewpoints. The use of high-stakes historical analogies in such a platform serves to frame contemporary political developments not merely as policy shifts, but as existential challenges to a specific ideological or cultural status quo.
Historical context of the terminology
The term Nakba refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It is a foundational element of Palestinian historical memory, describing the loss of land, homes, and the subsequent refugee crisis. The events of 1948 resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, a fact recognized by international bodies and documented in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
By applying this specific historical label to contemporary political developments, De Winter suggests that the current shifts are not merely standard political setbacks but represent a fundamental and catastrophic loss. This comparison links domestic political changes to an internationally recognized historical trauma, highlighting the intensity of his perspective on the current political trajectory.
The significance of historical analogy in political discourse
In political science and rhetoric, the use of historical analogies—particularly those involving terms like “catastrophe” or “displacement”—is a method used to elevate the perceived stakes of a current event. When a political actor compares modern electoral or policy losses to a historical event involving mass displacement or existential crisis, the intent is often to signal that the current trajectory represents a permanent and irreversible shift rather than a temporary change in governance.
This type of rhetoric moves the discussion from the realm of standard political competition—where parties win and lose influence—into a framework of survival and cultural preservation. In the context of European politics, where debates over national identity and demographic shifts are frequent, such comparisons serve to emphasize the gravity of perceived political declines to an audience that views these shifts as fundamental threats to their societal structure.