Eurabia Part Two: The Counter Jihad & the Influences of Eurabia

(This paper is the second part of an exploration of Eurabia; an anti-Muslim conspiracy theory. For Part One, please click here.)

Bat Yeor’s work has served as a founding mythology for movements like The Counter Jihad Movement, Stop the Islamization of Europe (and Stop the Islamization of America), and the German PEGIDA (Patriotische Europäer gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes, or the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West). Yeor herself is a notable member of the Counter Jihad Movement where she has appeared at events and conferences. Her works are routinely featured on blogs and websites like The Gates of Vienna, The Brussels Journal, MyIslam, and many others. 

PEGIDA rally; credit The Independent.co.uk

The Counter Jihad Movement (sometimes referred to simply as the Counter Jihad) is a loose network of independent researchers like Bat Yeor, blogs like the Gates of Vienna, bloggers like Peder Jensen aka Fjordman, authors like Robert Spencer, and many others. The movement also comprises of several think-tanks, online movements, and even formalized organizations like the International Civil Liberties Alliance (ICLA). 

The Counter Jihad believes all Muslims represent an existential threat to Western countries, and to Western civilization as a whole. Muslims already living within Western countries are considered to be exceptionally problematic; and are a subversive threat, aiming to destabilize Western civilization from within. Particularly, these anxieties are framed within Eurabian-style rhetoric; from dhimmitude to the complicity of governmental elites.

Like Yeor’s writings on dhimmitude which date back to the 80’s but erupted after the September 11 attacks; the Counter Jihad rhetoric underwent a similar process, beginning after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, but exploding into the mainstream after 911. Yeor’s Eurabia, from 2005, followed by Fjordman’s The Eurabia Code in 2006, were key influences in the movement; soon leading to the first Counter Jihad conference in 2007.  

Peder Are Nøstvold Jensen – aka Fjordman – is a leading figurehead of The Counter Jihad Movement, and was one of the most active writers on The Gates of Vienna blog, and the author of The Eurabia Code (named after Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code; and inspired by Yeor’s Eurabia thesis). Fjordman was directly mentioned over 100 times in the manifesto of Anders Breivik. His book, Defeating Eurabia (2008), is a compilation of his previous writings and blog posts from sites like Gates of Vienna and the Brussels Journal.  

Robert Spencer, a prolific anti-Muslim author, had also contributed to Counter Jihad rhetoric in its early days; founding the blog Jihad Watch in 2003. Spencer has written many books critical of Islam, defining it as a violent faith that threatens Western civilization. Spencer himself is an academic who focused on cultural and theological studies. He writes and produces papers for many conservative publications, think-tanks, and advocacy groups; from Breitbart News to the David Horowitz Freedom Centre and the Free Congress Foundation (FCF). 

However, none of his papers have been peer-reviewed, and the publishers for his many books are often countercultural fringe publishers (these publishers have routinely worked with conservative and even extremist writers; claiming that they publish works which the mainstream media would not touch). Spencer would go on to become a key figure in the movement; and later founded the Stop the Islamization of America movement. A report by WIRED revealed that Spencer's books were being used to train members of the FBI; these were since removed following the report (Ackerman, 2011).  

The Gates of Vienna blog, for which Fjordman regularly wrote, was named after the Ottoman Muslim defeat at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 by the Polish army. Like the history of the crusades, these types of encounters are romanticized amongst the far-right; from Vienna, to Charles Martel and the Battle of Tours almost a thousand years earlier, where Martel ended the Umayyad invasion of the Duchy of Aquitane and Burgundy.  The Gates of Vienna blog is a popular Islamophobic blog that is a far-right cultural meeting-place for European and American Islamophobia.

The International Civil Liberties Association, or the ICLA, became one of the first interconnected formal entities under the Counter Jihad Movement, and its first conferences led to the development of other organizations like Stop the Islamization of Europe. Prior to the ICLA, these groups existed as smaller disconnected spheres of rhetoric; however, the initial events held by the ICLA opened up opportunities for discourse and networking across these groups.  

Anders Behring Breivik & The 2011 Norway Attacks 

Eurabia has become a founding mythology for Islamophobic conspiracies of the modern era; it has developed a bedrock for similar versions like the Great Replacement to emerge from, finding soil that has long been nourished with discourses of invasion and subjugation.  

Eurabia has been a key motivator behind the mass killings in Oslo in 2011; in which Anders Behring Breivik triggered an explosive within the city of Oslo in Norway, killing 8 people and injuring hundreds more, before driving almost two hours away from the city to Camp Utoya, a campsite on Utoya island in lake Tyrifjorden, where he murdered 69 people – mostly students.  

Breivik performing a Nazi salute while holding up a sign protesting the "White Genocide"

Breivik's horrific violence is the world's worst case of a lone gunman slaughtering innocents in recent history. His bombing triggered fears of an attack by a rival power or a case of foreign terrorism. He targeted the government buildings in Oslo; immediately conjuring fears of invasion or terrorism. The massacre at Camp Utoya was worse, as he individually targeted and murdered 69 innocents.

His attack was calculated; and played upon fears of terrorism cultivated in the public and in the media. The bombing in the city was used to draw police attention inward; while he could drive out and go on a killing spree without responsive police intervention. Breivik went to the camp dressed in police uniform and armour, pretending to be an officer dispatched to the camp to maintain security after the bombing in the city. He conducted an hour-long assault on the isolated island, cut-off from the mainland and from hopes of escape.  

The initial bombing in the city resulted in a brief mania of anti-Muslim fear before it had become clear that the terrorist was not a Muslim, but a white nationalist Islamophobe. 

His attack was directed not at Muslims, but at those he saw responsible for facilitating Muslim immigration into Norway. While we see his motivations to be consistent with Eurabia, his manifesto, which he titled 2083: A European Declaration of Independence, makes it abundantly clear:  

More than 90% of the EU and national parliamentarians and more than 95% of journalists are supporters of European multiculturalism and therefore supporters of the ongoing Islamic colonisation of Europe; yet, they DO NOT have the permission of the European peoples to implement these doctrines. 

Breivik makes clear references to Eurabia – and to Yeor as well: 

Unfortunately for us, more than 95% of today’s Journalists, editors, publishers are pro Eurabians (support European multiculturalism). The same goes for 85% of Western European politicians and more than 90% of EU parliamentarians. 

One of the documents Bat Ye'or was kind enough to send me (which she mentions in the French version of her book about Eurabia but not in the English version) is the Common Strategy of the European Council - Vision of the EU for the Mediterranean Region, from June 19th 2000. 

The manifesto of Anders Behring Breivik

Like Yeor, Breivik’s manifesto contains a lengthy historical revisionism; taking up the entirety of the first ‘book’ of his manifesto – or compendium, as he calls it. Where he explores the history of Islam, the subjugation of non-Muslims under Muslim rule, and the gradual ‘Islamization’ of the West. His history also heavily reflects on the Crusades; which he regards as a war of defense. He praises the Templar Order, including dubbing himself within their ranks as a Knight Justicar. The famous Red Cross logo of the Templars is also used for the cover page of his manifesto. 

Breivik’s manifesto demonstrates how Eurabia has become common vernacular amongst extremist types; he uses terms like ‘Eurabians’ all across the 1000-plus page manifesto, he regularly cites passages from Fjordman’s The Eurabia Code, and from other from far-right pundits like Robert Spencer.  

He even references the Gates of Vienna blog quite powerfully when he considers himself to have been radicalized through the “Vienna School” - a play upon the Frankfurt School of Neo-Marxists who he critiques in his writings as a leading cause of ‘cultural Marxism’. This term, cultural Marxism, has become a popular phrase amongst the far-right and the right in general. Its use has been mainstreamed by the likes of Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro. 

Ironically, on the day of Breivik’s massacre, Fjordman immediately began discussing the bombing on the Gates of Vienna blog as an attack by Muslim terrorists; a realization of the vision of Eurabia. Fjordman called on his readers to remember that Jen Stoltenberg, then the prime minister of Norway, was a “sucker for Islam”, and that his part was the most “dhimmi appeasing” of all European and Western governments (Brown, 2019).  

When it was further revealed that a second attack was underway in Camp Utoya – known for hosting events for youth group amongst leftist democratic parties – Fjordman further described them as a "gang of anti-Israeli, pro-Palestine youth-socialists" (Brown, 2019).  

This reflects much of the sentiment on the far-right, a willingness to enjoy the pain of, or even directly hurt, the people they claim to defend; as a kind of ‘lesson’ to be taught about their follies of immigration and multiculturalism. Breivik, in his murder of Europeans which he claimed to defend, saw himself as a parent disciplining a naughty child; claiming that the child may resent the parent, but the parent needs to teach the child for the child’s own good. 

According to an article by the Guardian’s Andrew Brown (2019), Breivik’s attacks were celebrated online when it was believed a Muslim was responsible. 

“This was inevitable,” explained one of the anonymous commenters. And it was just the beginning: “Only a matter of time before other European nations get a taste of their multicultural tolerance that they’ve been cooking for decades.” 

“Europe has been infested with venomous parasitic vermin,” explained another. 

“Anything and everything is fine as long as they rape the natives and destroy the country, which they do,” said a third. 

The car bomb had been followed by reports of a mass shooting at a nearby camp for teenagers.  

One commenter was “almost crying of happiness” to be proved right about the dangers of Islam. “The massacre at the children’s camp,” another noted, “is a sickening reminder of just how evil and satanic the cult of Islam is.” 

(Brown, 2019) 

The revelation that it was a European ethno-nationalist behind the killings led to an abrupt turnaround in sentiment. Moreover, following the release of Breivik’s manifesto – in which he explicitly stated, featured, and recommended, the works of many Counter Jihad figures like Fjordman, Bat Yeor, and Robert Spencer – many of these figures sought to distance themselves from the violence of Breivik’s actions (even though this violence and resistance is a key theme in their writings). Peder Jensen revealed himself to be the blogger behind the name Fjordman who Breivik had referenced; and sought to publicly disavow his connection to the terrorist. According to the Guardian:  

He outed himself as the man behind the pseudonym to a Norwegian tabloid in the weeks following the massacre – but managed to avoid testifying at Breivik’s trial, thanks to the intervention of high-powered lawyers paid for by the Middle East Forum, a rightwing American group that would later sponsor Tommy Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – in Britain. Nonetheless, Jensen’s influence on Breivik, however indirect, had been considerable.  

(Brown, 2019) 

While Fjordman sought to distance himself from Breivik, his writings were certainly a key influence. The title of the manifesto, “A European Declaration of Independence”, is taken directly from one of Fjordman’s blog posts. Additionally, entire pieces of Fjordman’s writings have been copied and pasted into the manifesto. 

Yeor was also heaviliy criticized and similarly sought to distance herself from Breivik’s actions. The Norwegian court stated that, while many hold the views in Eurabia and similar conspiracy theories, only a few extremists consider that the situation requires terrorism to resolve it.  

However, considering the recent evolution of Eurabian ideology in the decade since Breivik’s attacks, where it has been supported and consolidated by politicians and political parties, to thought-leaders, writers, and academics like Renaud Camus; it seems that violence is becoming a more common element of the philosophy. This is evidenced with the significant wave of mass shootings that has occurred in recent years; coupled with the evolution of these online spaces, where this type of violence has become “meme-ified”.  

Popular meme depicting the Christchurch massacre; portraying Tarrant as a female video game character, with references to other Islamophobic memes like 'Kebab remover'

Payton Gendron's weaponry; including meme references and references to killers like Dylan Roof, Brenton Tarrant and Anders Breivik

In the past decade, particularly since the election of Donald Trump, we have had mass killings based on Eurabian and Great Replacement ideologies: the Tree of Life synagogue killings; the Christchurch massacre; the killings in El Paso, Texas; the killings at Buffalo, Texas; the killings at the Poway synagogue. All of these were based on conspiracy theories loaded with Yeor’s rhetoric; from the white genocide, to Eurabia and the Great Replacement. 

Geert Wilders

Eurabia in Politics 

Eurabian rhetoric has also become popular amongst political parties on the far-right, many of whom have emerged from political obscurity to greater prominence and presence since the since the election of Donald Trump. From Geert Wilders and the Dutch Freedom Party, to Alice Weidel and the Alternative for Germany party (AfD); both of whom have openly signaled Eurabian views: "The first Islamic invasion of Europe was stopped at Poitiers in 732. The second was halted at the gates of Vienna in 1683. Now we have to stop the current stealth invasion." - Geert Wilders, Dutch Party for Freedom (Underhill, 2009).  

The far-right Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) has been growing with recent fervor. Particularly after being encouraged by Elon Musk and JD Vance; and having Musk reinstate the X account of leader Alice Weidel. This rhetoric by European parties, describing themselves as a failed empire that has fallen to immigration and must turn to remigration, mirrors narratives of expulsion during the Inquisition.  

American public figures have also endorsed Eurabian rhetoric; from overt references by figures like former senator Rick Santorum, who spoke at the popular Islamophobe David Horowitz’s “Islamo-Fascism Awareness” event. Santorum’s worked marked upon key elements of Eurabia – from Europe’s failure to the Islamization of the West.   

Rick Santorum

What must we do to win? We must educate, engage, evangelize and eradicate." 

"Look at Europe. Europe is on the way to losing. The most popular male name in Belgium -- Mohammad. It’s the fifth most popular name in France among boys. They are losing because they are not having children, they have no faith, they have nothing to counteract it. They are balkanizing Islam, but that’s exactly what they want. And they’re creating an opportunity for the creation of Eurabia, or Euristan in the future...Europe will not be in this battle with us. Because there will be no Europe left to fight." 

(Blumenthal, 2012) 

Eurabian rhetoric has also been popularly repeated by Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager. According to an article by the Washington Post, Bannon, had developed an outline for a film in which Islam and Muslims were depicted as an invasive population; threatening to turn the United States into the “Islamic States of America” (Gold, 2017). Bannon had made several conservative and far-right films in the past; and recently did his own Nazi-esque salute at the CPAC conference. 

Steve Bannon performing a Nazi salute at the recent CPAC event

Eurabian rhetoric has also been espoused by thought-leaders and influencers like Jordan Peterson (a Canadian with greater presence as a thought-leader amongst American conservatives) and Ben Shapiro, who both routinely discuss the threat of ‘cultural Marxism’ – which has itself been described as a conspiracy theory used to construct anxieties around the threat of multiculturalism.  

Furthermore, America’s intervention in Europe by the likes of Trump, Musk and Vance is also done through the ideologies and revisionist histories of Eurabia. From Musk’s Nazi apologism rhetoric, in which he encouraged AfD supporters to not be ashamed of the Nazi legacy and rally against the threat of multiculturalism. To his rhetoric about the failure of European powers in the wake of immigration; to the grooming gangs scandal and the complicity of British government (aka European elites) in facilitating the rape of their own people by Muslim immigrants. 

Similarly, in the interconnected digital landscape of today, AfD media content is also distributed to American far-right on social networks, particularly as American public figures integrate themselves within European far-right politics. Sorting algorithms and recommendation engines will personalize this type of content for American users who display far-right orientations through their posts, interactions, and through the media content they consume online. This has the potential of confirming American beliefs that has Europe has fallen to Muslim/Arab influence; and is in a state of Eurabia. This is also why the South African narrative of White Genocide is appealing to American far-right; it confirms biases about the erasure of the white race and Renaud Camus’ Great Replacement Theory.  

Additionally, this direct interference into European politics is likely a move to further their tech empires across Europe through the erosion of European laws governing and regulating social networks which challenge the current expansion project of the American digital empires.  

We will continue these explorations into hate-based conspiracies with a focused piece of Yeor’s Dhimmitude; as well as a focused piece on The Great Replacement, Renaud Camus’ thesis which evolves from Eurabia, but offers something distinctly racist as opposed to just being Islamophobic. The Great Replacement focuses on the threat of non-white immigration – not only Muslim immigration.  

In conclusion, we are certainly living in the decade of division and hate. While Yeor demonizes Euro-Arab dialogue; it is necessary to open up lines of dialogue across religious and cultural lines in order to really and truly discuss our differences and our shared commonalities.  

The internet and social media are full of provocative echo chambers that serve to confirm biases instead of challenging it; this is our agenda – to seek out biases and challenge them, using our shared humanity to unite us instead of our differences to divide us. Furthermore, recognizing that these differences are played upon by politicians and propagandists and do not reflect the beliefs of the average individual is an important realization that we can only reach through open dialogue.  

References 

Blumenthal, M. 2012. Santorum warns of "Eurabia," issues call to "evangelize and eradicate" Muslims. Al Akhbar. 01 May. Available: Santorum warns of "Eurabia," issues call to "evangelize and eradicate" Muslims | Al Akhbar English 

Breivik, A. B. 2011. 2083: A European Declaration of Independence (Manifesto).  

Brown, A. 2019. The myth of Eurabia: how a far-right conspiracy theory went mainstream. 16 August. Available: The myth of Eurabia: how a far-right conspiracy theory went mainstream | The far right | The Guardian 

Darmon, A. 2007. Interview with Bat Yeor. Israel Magazine. Cited in Galliawatch. Available: Bat Ye'or - An Interview | GalliaWatch 

Gates of Vienna (website). Edward May (creator). Available: News | Gates of Vienna 

Gold, M. 2017. Bannon film outline warned U.S could turn into ‘Islamic States of America’. The Washington Post. 03 February. Available: Bannon film outline warned U.S. could turn into ‘Islamic States of America’ - The Washington Post 

Jensen, P. A. N. 2006. The Eurabia Code. Available: The Eurabia Code, Part I | The Brussels Journal 

Kaiser, D. 2015. What Hiter and the Grand Mufti Really Said. TIME Magazine. October 2015. Available: Hitler and the Grand Mufti: What They Really Said in 1941 | TIME 

Raspail, J. 1975. Camp of the Saints. Originally Published in French, 1973. Translated by Shapiro, N.  

Schwartz, A. 2006. 'The Protocols of the Elders of Brussels'. Haaretz. 20 June. Available: 'The Protocols of the Elders of Brussels' - Haaretz Com - Haaretz.com 

Spencer, R. 2007. Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn’t. New Jersey: Regnery Publishing. 

Spencer, R. 2008. Stealth Jihad: How Radical Islam is Subverting America without Guns or Bombs. New Jersey: Regnery Publishing.  

Spencer, R. 2019. The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process. New York: Bombadier Books. 

Tarrant, B. 2019. The Great Replacement (manifesto). 

Underhill, W. 2009. Dispelling the Myth of Eurabia. Newsweek. Available: Dispelling the Myth of Eurabia - Newsweek 

Yeor, B. 2005. Eurabia- The Euro-Arab Axis. New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press