Workers and youth in the United States and around the world should pause and think about what is happening.

The Western media is talking a lot about the Islamic State seizing power in large parts of the Arab world and beyond. This is a fascist force that rules through frenzied hatred and terror. But they are not alone.

Throughout Europe, racist, anti-immigrant forces are rising up.

Then there is Israel. Below is a video of Palestinian protesters in Ashkelon, Israel who gathered to show support for the gravely ill hunger striker Muhammed Allan while he’s in the hospital. They are met by right wing, racist Israelis whose chants celebrate the mass murder of children in Gaza as well as calling for “death to reporters”. These forces, too, are fascist, and are tolerated by the Israeli regime. Here is a video of that event:

Young people and workers in the US should not be fooled into thinking that what is happening elsewhere won’t affect us. Just as the economy is global, so is the political climate. We know that the organized fascists are making contact across borders. But more important, this racism and reaction in one part of the world helps spur it on everywhere else. We here in the US are a long way from an outright fascist movement even threatening for power, but we shouldn’t underestimate the danger that the Trump types and their supporters pose (even though most of them aren’t outright fascists).

The xenophobia and racism that Trump bases himself on is part of a general world trend. Only a united workers movement can combat it.

The movement against police racism, murders and brutality can become the leading force in a more generalized movement not only against racism but also against the attacks on working class people in general. No capitalist candidate (including Bernie Sanders) has any answer. The answer lies among ourselves and our own united power.