Antisemitic Discourse in Britain in 2010 This graphic shows “kill a jew day” page on facebook, but is taken from the anti-racist website Modernity Blog that brought the story to public notice. This page and others like it, were subsequently removed. Contents

Executive summary 5

Introduction 6

Antisemitic discourse and antisemitism 7

UK Jewish life: putting antisemitism into context 8

What is antisemitism? Background and concepts 10

Antisemitism: legal definitions 12

British Jews: relationship with Zionism and Israel 14

Anti-Zionism: “in effect antisemitic” 15

Multicultural identity: British Jews, Zionism and Israel 19

The Jewish conspiracy: money, power, control and intimidation 21 • Jewish money power: Gerald Kaufman MP and Martin Linton MP at Friends of Al Aqsa meeting, Parliament • The Independent: Jewish lobbies and grovelling American presidents • Middle East Monitor: modern UK Islamist conspiracy and ‘dual loyalty’ charges • Lord Phillips: Holocaust influence and the American Jewish lobby • Guardian Comment is Free: partial retraction of “global domination” claim • BBC Radio 4 broadcast: half a million Jews “who will help Mossad” • The Sunday Times: Oliver Stone alleges Jewish control of US media and foreign policy

Anti-Israel rhetoric 28 • John Pilger, the New Statesman: Jews “culpable...should their silence persist”

Facebook “kill a jew day” 30

Public comments on British antisemitism 31

Holocaust denial and minimisation 32

Holocaust abuse and anti-Israel activism 34 • Socialist Workers Party (SWP): “Go back to Auschwitz” obfuscation • Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign • Lee Jasper at Islamic Human Rights Commission meeting • The Morning Star: Holocaust abuse in readers’ letters column • “Never again for anyone - Auschwitz to Gaza”

Campus: impacts of heated political debate 40 • Antisemitic rhetoric and the London School of Economics

Far right groups, Jews, Israel and anti-Muslim politics 41 • Jews reject BNP and EDL: anti-Zionists allege and fabricate collusion • The Observer corrects EDL “senior rabbi” claim

The Independent: article attacking Orthodox Jewish community 43

Antisemitism in UK-Saudi school texts 45

Prosecution for online comments in the Scotsman blog 46

Literary achievements 48

ISBN: 978-0-9548471-5-9 The text and illustrations may only be reproduced with prior permission of CST. Published by the Community Security Trust. Registered Charity Number 1042391. Copyright © 2011 Community Security Trust. The antisemitic accusation that Jews run the media is an old one. Here, Iranian broadcaster, Press TV, updates the accusation in a global poll alleging “Zionist control” of American broadcaster, CNN. Executive summary

• Explicit antisemitism is rare in British • Traditional antisemitic themes alleging public life and within mainstream Jewish conspiracy, power, wealth, political and media discourse. cunning and enmity against others, resonate within some examples of • Where explicit antisemitism does anti-Israel and (especially) anti-Zionist exist, it tends to occur in circles that discourse, but are usually voiced exhibit racism against all minorities. against ‘Zionists’ or ‘pro-Israelis’, rather Explicit antisemitism is also found than explicitly against ‘Jews’ per se. within the propaganda, ideology and influence of extreme Islamist groups. • Rhetoric against ‘Zionism’, ‘Zionists’ or ‘pro-Israelis’ risks fostering reflexive • There was little overt antisemitism hostility against British Jews and their within mainstream 2010 General representative bodies, including racist Election campaigning or in relation stereotyping and bias against Jews to economic troubles. This was deemed ‘pro-Israel’ and the rejection a welcome and important indicator of Jewish concerns about antisemitism of the marginal nature of overt in Israel-related contexts. antisemitism today. A notable exception was in remarks made • A poll by the Institute for Jewish Policy by Labour MP Gerald Kaufman Research indicated that 72% of British (who is Jewish), when he told Jews self-identify as Zionists and 82% a pro-Palestinian meeting that of British Jews regard Israel as playing “right-wing Jewish millionaires” a “central” or “important...role in their part-own the Conservative Party. Jewish identities”. These statistics indicate how so-called ‘anti-Zionist’ • Anti-Israel and anti-Zionist discourse campaigning may cause hurt to most are not significant features of British British Jews – by affecting their sense public life, but are increasingly of well-being, and how others perceive prevalent in some liberal-left sections them. of society, including activist groups, trade unions and mainstream media. • In Scotland, 2010 saw the investigation and prosecution of an • The use of Holocaust analogies in English man, for posting antisemitic anti-Zionist and anti-Israel discourse statements in the comments thread is antisemitic, as it is premised upon of an article on the website of the the Jewish nature of these Scotsman newspaper. phenomena, and carries direct hurt to Jews. In 2010, the official UK • Two notable books discussing Holocaust Memorial Week was abused antisemitism were published in 2010: for anti-Zionist campaigning purposes, Anthony Julius’ study of English including in the House of Commons antisemitism, Trials of the Diaspora, on Holocaust Memorial Day itself (in and Howard Jacobson’s novel, The an event chaired by Labour MP Finkler Question, winner of the 2010 Jeremy Corbyn). Man Booker literary prize.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2009 / 5 Introduction

This CST Antisemitic Discourse in Britain report analyses written and verbal communication, discussion and rhetoric about Jews and Jewish-related issues in Britain during 2010. It is published annually by CST1.

Discourse is used in this report to mean ‘communicative action’: 1 CST’s 2007, 2008 and communication expressed in speech, written text, images and other forms 2009 reports may be of expression and propaganda2. read at http://www.thecst.org.u k/index.cfm?Content=7 The report concentrates upon mainstream discourse. It cites numerous mainstream publications, groups and individuals, who are by 2 Paul Iganski and Abe no means antisemitic, but whose behaviour may impact upon attitudes Sweiry. concerning Jews and antisemitism. “Understanding and Addressing the ‘Nazi card’ – Intervening The report is not a survey of marginal than a physical attack on a person or Against Antisemitic or clandestine racist, extremist and place. It is more easily recognised by Discourse”. European radical circles, where antisemitism those who experience it than by those Institute for the Study is much more common. Where such who engage in it. of Contemporary material is quoted within this report, Antisemitism, London. it is usually for comparison with more “Antisemitic discourse is also hard to

3 CST’s annual mainstream sources. identify because the boundaries of Antisemitic Incidents acceptable discourse have become Reports may be read at CST distinguishes antisemitic discourse blurred to the point that individuals and http://www.thecst.org.u from actual antisemitic incidents3, which organisations are not aware when these k/index.cfm?Content=7 are race hate attacks against Jews or boundaries have been crossed, and Jewish organisations and locations. because the language used is more 4 Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry subtle particularly in the contentious into Antisemitism. Racist or political violence is influenced area of the dividing line between Published September by extremist discourse, particularly antisemitism and criticism of Israel 2006, London: The the manner in which perpetrators or Zionism.” Stationery Office. The may be emboldened by support (real report may be viewed or imagined) from opinion leaders and on the website of the Parliamentary society for their actions. Committee Against Antisemitism: The 2006 Report of the All-Party www.thepcaa.org Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism4 noted the importance and complexity of 5 All-Party Inquiry into antisemitic discourse and urged further Antisemitism: Government study of it. By 2008, the Parliamentary Response: One year inquiry process had led to the issuing on Progress Report. of the first progress report of the Published 12 May Government’s taskforce against 2008, London: The antisemitism. This stated of antisemitic Stationery Office. Also discourse5: at http://www.official- documents.gov.uk/doc ument/cm73/7381/73 “Antisemitism in discourse is, by its 81.pdf nature, harder to identify and define

6 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Antisemitic discourse and antisemitism

Antisemitic discourse influences and reflects hostile attitudes to Jews and Jewish-related issues.

It can fuel antisemitic race hate attacks Media coverage of, or political comment against Jews and Jewish institutions, on, such public events may be entirely and may leave Jews feeling isolated, legitimate and overwhelmingly in the 6 Shown repeatedly in CST’s annual vulnerable and hurt. public interest. Nevertheless, those Antisemitic Incidents engaging in these debates also have a Reports: The purpose of this report is to help responsibility to understand the potential http://www.thecst.org.u reduce antisemitism, by furthering the consequences of their discourse, and k/index.cfm?content=7. understanding of antisemitic discourse should avoid inflaming tense situations Also, Iganski, Kielinger, and its negative impacts upon Jews and by the use of gratuitous language and Paterson. “Hate Crimes Against London’s Jews”. society as a whole. insinuation. Institute for Jewish Policy Research, Antisemitic impacts of legitimate London, 2005. debate and media Antisemitic impacts may arise from entirely legitimate situations that have no antisemitic intention.

Statistics show that perceived members of an ethnic or religious group can suffer hate crime attacks when public events related to that group occur. This dynamic is repeated in antisemitic incident levels6 rising in relation to public events involving Jews, Jewish institutions or Jewish-related subjects such as Israel.

The notorious Protocols claims to reveal a supposed secret Jewish conspiracy to take over the world in this British version by the Jewish snake circling the globe.

Championed by both far right and Islamist extremists, it includes chapters on Jewish control of war, politicians, finance and media. The Protocols contains old antisemitic themes that still resonate, impact and evolve in modern politics, media and discourse.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 7 UK Jewish life: putting antisemitism into context

British Jewry should be defined by its success and vibrancy, rather than by antisemitism. Nevertheless, antisemitic race hate attacks and antisemitic discourse are issues of considerable importance for British Jews.

Billboard in north Manchester during Chanukah, funded by the Home Office Victims Fund.

Overview British Jews have full equal rights Jewish life in Britain today is diverse and protection in law, including against and extremely well integrated into antisemitic incitement and attack. wider society. Indeed, the Jewish Jews who wish to live a Jewish life community is often referred to have every opportunity to do so, by Government and others as be it educational, religious, cultural the benchmark of successful or political. Overt antisemitism minority integration. is socially unacceptable.

8 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Despite their achievements, many Jews 1656, when Oliver Cromwell removed regard themselves, and future King Edward’s 1290 expulsion. generations, as potentially vulnerable to antisemitic attitudes and impacts. By the early 19th century, Jews had The 2005–06 Report of the All-Party virtually achieved economic and social Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism emancipation. By the end of the noted “that there is much truth” in the 19th century, Jews also enjoyed apparent contradiction between the political emancipation. From 1881 extremely positive situation of British to 1914, the influx of Russian Jewish Jewry, and feelings of vulnerability immigrants saw the Jewish and isolation7: community’s population rise from c.60,000 to c.300,000. This met “In his oral evidence, the Chief Rabbi with antisemitic agitation from trade stated: ‘If you were to ask me is Britain unions, politicians and others. an antisemitic society, the answer is manifestly and obviously no. It is one Demography of the least antisemitic societies in the There are an estimated 300,000 to world.’ 350,000 Jews in Britain, two-thirds of whom live in Greater London. Jews “However, the President of the Board live throughout Britain, predominately of Deputies of British Jews told us, in urban areas. Other major Jewish ‘There is probably a greater feeling of centres are in Manchester, Leeds, discomfort, greater concerns, greater Brighton and Glasgow. fears now about antisemitism than there have been for many decades.’ The religious composition of the Jewish Having considered all of the evidence community is highly diverse, and submitted, we are of the opinion that ranges from the strictly Orthodox to there is much truth in both of these non-practising. Many Jews can trace ostensibly contradictory views.” their British identity back to the most significant influx of Jewish immigration, History from Russia at the turn of the 20th Jews arrived in the British Isles in century. Others can trace their British Roman times, but organised settlement identity considerably further. There is followed the Norman conquest of 1066. also a considerable number of Jews of Massacres of Jews occurred in many other national origins who have arrived 7 Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry cities in 1190, most notably in York. in recent years and decades, from into Antisemitism. In 1290, all Jews were expelled by countries including South Africa, Israel Published September King Edward I, but some converts and France. 2006, London: The to Christianity and secret adherents Stationery Office. The to Judaism remained. The Jewish population is in decline report may be viewed due to low birth rate, intermarriage on the website of the Parliamentary Following the expulsion of Jews from and emigration. The strictly orthodox Committee Against Spain in 1492, a covert Jewish minority is experiencing sustained Antisemitism: community became established in growth due to larger family sizes and http://www.thepcaa.org London. The present British Jewish may in future comprise the majority /Report.pdf community, however, has existed since of the Jewish community.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 9 What is antisemitism? Background and concepts

In essence, antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice or hostility against Jews.

The term ‘antisemitism’ is also used to describe all forms of discrimination, prejudice or hostility towards Jews throughout history.

Antisemitism: background Zion – distinguishes antisemitism from History shows that antisemitic other types of racism, which often escalations are an early warning of depict their targets as ignorant and growing extremism within society as primitive. a whole. Antisemitism is a subject that should be of concern not only to Jews, Today, antisemitic race hate attacks but to all of society. have approximately doubled since the late 1990s. This phenomenon has The near destruction of European Jewry occurred in most Jewish communities in the Nazi Holocaust rendered open throughout the world, and there is a antisemitism taboo in public life, but clear global pattern whereby overseas it has led many to wrongly categorise events (primarily, but not exclusively, antisemitism as an exclusively far right involving Israel) trigger sudden phenomenon that is essentially frozen escalations in local antisemitic incident in time. levels. The situation is made far worse by ongoing attempts at mass casualty Antisemitism predates Christianity and terrorist attacks by global jihadist is referred to as “the Longest Hatred”8. elements against their local Jewish Its persistence is not doubted, yet communities. precise definitions of antisemitism are heatedly debated. Types of antisemitism Antisemitism is a global phenomenon, Antisemitism repeatedly adapts to occurring even where there are no contemporary circumstances and Jews. Its manifestation and expression historically has taken many forms, may range from violent thuggery and including religious, nationalist, attempted genocide, to literary,

8 Edward H. Flannery. economic and racial-biological. philosophical and political discourse. The Anguish of the Jews have been blamed for many Antisemitism has been described as an Jews: Twenty-Three phenomena, including the death ideology in its own right; but Anthony Centuries of of Jesus; the Black Death; the advent Julius has argued that it is undeserving Antisemitism. First of liberalism, democracy, communism of such status and should rather be published 1965. and capitalism; and for inciting regarded as a polluter of ideologies. Reprinted: Paulist Press, 2004. See numerous revolutions and wars. “Google books”. Antisemitism as ideology Also, Robert S. A dominant antisemitic theme is the The ideological component of Wistrich. Anti-Semitism: allegation that Jews are powerful and antisemitism was summarised The Longest Hatred. cunning manipulators, set against the by Steve Cohen, as follows: Methuen, 1991 and rest of society for their evil and Screen Guides for Thames Television: timeless purpose. The notion of Jewish “The peculiar and defining feature The Longest Hatred, power – codified within the notorious of anti-semitism is that it exists as an 1991. forgery The Protocols of the Elders of ideology. It provides its adherents with

10 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 a universal and generalised constitutes the greatest threat to interpretation of the world. This is the Anglo-Jewish security and morale... theory of the Jewish conspiracy, which By ‘tropes’ I mean those taken-for- depicts Jews as historically controlling granted utterances, those figures and determining nature and human and metaphors through which more destiny. Anti-semitism is an ideology general positions are intimated, which has influenced millions of people without ever being argued for10.” precisely because it presents an explanation of the world by attributing Antisemitic imagination: ‘The Jew’ such extreme powers to its motive Brian Klug describes the importance of force – the Jews9.” the imaginary ‘Jew’ (as distinct to the reality of Jews). He depicts the ‘English antisemitisms’ antisemitic caricature of this imaginary Anthony Julius has argued that anti- ‘Jew’ as follows: Jewish hostility today mixes “several kinds of anti-Semitism”; and he “The Jew belongs to a sinister people identifies four kinds of antisemitism set apart from all others, not merely that wholly or substantially “have by its customs but by a collective an English provenance”: character: arrogant yet obsequious; legalistic yet corrupt; flamboyant yet • “A radical anti-Semitism of secretive. Always looking to turn a defamation, expropriation, murder, profit, Jews are as ruthless as they and expulsion – that is, the are tricky. Loyal only to their own, anti-Semitism of medieval England, wherever they go they form a state which completed itself in 1290, when within a state, preying upon the

there were no Jews left to torment.” societies in whose midst they dwell. 9 Steve Cohen. That’s Their hidden hand controls the banks, Funny, You Don’t Look • “A literary anti-Semitism – that is, the markets and the media. And when Anti-Semitic. Beyond an anti-Semitic account of Jews revolutions occur or nations go to war, the Pale Collective, continuously present in the discourse it is the Jews – cohesive, powerful, Leeds, 1984. http://www.engage of English literature...through to clever and stubborn – who invariably online.org.uk/resources 11 present times.” pull the strings and reap the rewards .” /funny/index.html

• “A modern, quotidian anti-Semitism 10 Anthony Julius. of insult and partial exclusion, Trials of the Diaspora. pervasive but contained...everyday Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010. anti-Semitism experienced by

Jews...through to the late twentieth 11 Brian Klug. century.” The Concept of Antisemitism. Speech, • “A new configuration of anti-Zionisms, Oxford University, emerging in the late 1960s and the 2009. Also, “Submission of 1970s, which treats Zionism and the Evidence to the State of Israel as illegitimate Jewish All-Party Inquiry into enterprises. This perspective, heavily Antisemitism”. indebted to anti-Semitic tropes, now December 2005.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 11 Antisemitism: legal definitions

Legislative definitions of antisemitism are primarily intended for Police and judicial use in identifying antisemitic incidents and crimes, rather than for defining discourse. Nevertheless, these definitions provide important tools for helping consider what may, or may not, constitute antisemitic discourse.

Race Relations Act “We conclude that it is the Jewish The 2005–06 All-Party Parliamentary community itself that is best qualified Inquiry into Antisemitism summarised to determine what does and does not antisemitism by reference to the Race constitute antisemitism.” Relations Act 1976 as follows12: The Government command response “Broadly, it is our view that any to the Parliamentary inquiry concurred, remark, insult or act the purpose or stating13: effect of which is to violate a Jewish person’s dignity or create an “The Government currently uses the intimidating, hostile, degrading, Stephen Lawrence Inquiry definition humiliating or offensive environment for of a racist incident which is an incident him is antisemitic. that is perceived as racist by the victim or any other person, and this would “This reflects the definition of include antisemitism. This is a very harassment under the Race Relations wide and powerful definition as Act 1976. This definition can be applied it clearly includes the ‘perception’ 12 Report of the All-Party to individuals and to the Jewish of the victim and others.” Parliamentary Inquiry community as a whole.” into Antisemitism. European Monitoring Published September 2006, London: Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Centre/Fundamental Rights Agency The Stationery Office. The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry The European Monitoring Centre on The report may be definition of a racist incident has Racism and Xenophobia, now renamed viewed on the website significantly influenced societal the Fundamental Rights Agency, of the Parliamentary interpretations of what does and does is the European Commission’s anti- Committee Against not constitute racism, with the victim’s racism watchdog group. In 2002–03, Antisemitism: www.thepcaa.org perception assuming paramount the centre conducted a study of http://www.thepcaa. importance. antisemitism in Europe that included org/Report.pdf a recommendation to “define The All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry antisemitic acts”, as a necessary 13 All-Party Inquiry into into Antisemitism invoked the Lawrence prerequisite for European Police forces Antisemitism: inquiry when it said of these issues: to collect data about antisemitic race Government Response: One year hate crimes. on Progress Report. “We take into account the view Published 12 May expressed in the Macpherson report of Following this, the centre, assisted by 2008, London: The the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry that a Jewish groups, developed a short Stationery Office. Also racist act is defined by its victim. It is “working definition” of antisemitism at http://www.official- not acceptable for an individual to say which “could, taking into account the documents.gov.uk/ document/cm73/ ‘I am not a racist’ if his or her words or overall context”, indicate antisemitism 7381/7381.pdf acts are perceived to be racist. in cases of crime and bias.

12 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 The “working definition” is primarily Cross-Government Hate Crime intended for use by law enforcement Action Plan when deciding whether crimes are In law, the Lawrence inquiry antisemitic or not. It standardises the recommendations were built upon classification and measurement of by new anti-hate-crime legislation, antisemitism, and is an important and issued in 2009. innovative aid for the protection of Jews in some European countries. Despite this, it has been strenuously opposed 14 www.gos.gov.uk/ by anti-Israel activists who wrongly 497417/docs/247610/ claim that its true goal is to suppress 882951/.../hatecrime anti-Zionist and anti-Israel expression. actionplan

The Government’s official PowerPoint explanation of its Hate Crime Action Plan14.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 13 British Jews: relationship with Zionism and Israel

Zionism and Israel are, in part, Jewish responses to the long and often tragic history of antisemitism.

The multiple dynamics between antisemitism, anti-Israel activity and ‘anti-Zionism’ are fundamental to the nature, content and impact of contemporary British antisemitism, and to the concerns of British Jews.

In recent years, Israel has been subject report, showing polling data in which to repeated criticism and outright hostility 82% of British Jews describe Israel from relatively large sections of the liberal as “important” to their self-identity.) left, including campaigning groups, trade unions, politicians, journalists and the Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism and NGO sector. British Jews hold varying Anti-Israelism perspectives on the legitimacy and Antisemitism, anti-Zionism and motivation of this behaviour: ranging anti-Israelism are not the same as each from those who play a leading part in the other. They can, however, be very hard anti-Israel activity, to those who regard to untangle and distinguish. actions against the world’s sole Jewish state as antisemitic per se. It is not necessarily antisemitic to criticise Israel or Zionism, even if the Antisemitism is a form of racist and criticism is harsh or unfair. Gauging political activism. Because of its very antisemitic motives and impacts largely nature, antisemitism can feed off depends upon: criticism of Jews, Israel or Zionism, regardless of how fair or unfair, • Motivation: To what extent is the antisemitic or legitimate, the criticism enmity driven by the Jewish nature may be. of Israel and/or Zionism?

As discussed elsewhere in this report, • Content: Does the enmity use criticism of Zionism or Israel may not antisemitic or otherwise racist be antisemitic per se, but it risks exclusivities, themes and motifs? becoming so when traditional The more deliberate and/or unfair antisemitic themes are employed; the usage, the more antisemitic when Jews are randomly targeted for the criticism. its vitriol; when Jewish concerns are disregarded or, worse, deliberately • Target: Are local Jews being singled misrepresented as being fake cover for out as recipients for criticism or Israel; and when Jewish historical and bias that ostensibly derives from religious ties with Israel are denied. anti-Israel or anti-Zionist enmity?

Hostility to the very notion of a Jewish • Response: Are local Jewish concerns state, and calls for the actual about the above sincerely engaged destruction of ‘Zionism’ or Israel, with? transcend mere criticism, and directly threaten the morale and self-identity of most British Jews. (See page 5 of this

14 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Anti-Zionism: “in effect antisemitic”

A 2010 survey indicated that 72% of British Jews self-define as ‘Zionists’.

Encouraging antisemitism across ‘Anti-Zionism’, in its content, motivation political extremes and physical antisemitic impacts, ’Anti-Zionism’ is widely professed by can differ greatly across the varying activists in far right, far left and extreme ideological streams (e.g., far left, far Islamist circles, including the various right, Islamist, anti-globalisation) within antisemites who reside there. These which it occurs. Nevertheless, ‘Zionist’ different political groupings employ resonates across these ideologies as ’Zionism’ and ‘Zionist’ as a pejorative denoting a political, financial, military term, using it as desired against and media conspiracy that is centred whatever, or whomever, they oppose. in Washington and Jerusalem, and which opposes authentic local interests. The diverse developments and overlapping contents of today’s Furthermore, the prejudices of ‘anti-Zionisms’ contain striking conscious antisemites are reinforced by similarities with traditional antisemitic the ever-evolving ‘anti-Zionist’ lexicon themes of Jews as the demonised of words, phrases and charges. This ‘Other’, and of Jews as being the discourse resonates with antisemites, conspiratorial power behind war, financial who interpret terms such as ‘pro-Israel’ and political systems, and the media. or ‘well-financed’ as coded public echoes of their own privately held Masking the word ‘Jew’ with the word (and publicly restricted) opinions. ‘Zionist’ obscures both the antisemitic origins and continuities of such ‘Anti-Zionists’ in anti-Israel lobby discourse, and enables a deepening groups deem themselves to be cycle of further refinement, obfuscation sincerely opposed to antisemitism; and ignorance on the part of its and such circles are extremely propagators and users. welcoming to Jews. Nevertheless, when it suits their purpose, they Employing the word ‘Zionist’ where will commonly ignore, misrepresent once the word ‘Jew’ would have or attack concerns expressed by appeared in open antisemitic discourse the bulk of the Jewish community. may, or may not, be deliberate; but it essentially fulfils the same The All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry psychological and political purpose into Antisemitism noted: as open antisemitism once did. “One of the most difficult and When mainstream journalists and contentious issues about which we have politicians use the word ‘Zionism’ received evidence is the dividing line as a pejorative term, it reinforces the between antisemitism and criticism above ‘anti-Zionist’ processes, further of Israel or Zionism. complicates definitions of antisemitism, and makes it harder for Jews (and “...discourse has developed that is others) to succinctly explain their in effect antisemitic because it views concerns. Zionism itself as a global force of

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 15 unlimited power and malevolence • The image of the shadowy, powerful throughout history. This definition of ‘Zionist’ repeats antisemitic charges Zionism bears no relation to the that Jews are loyal only to each other, understanding that most Jews have of and that leading Jews conspire to the concept; that is, a movement of control media, economy and Jewish national liberation, born in the Government for their evil ends. late nineteenth century with a geographical focus limited to Israel. • Dehumanising and demonising Having re-defined Zionism in this way, antisemitic language comparing Jews traditional antisemitic notions of Jewish to rats, cancer, plague and bacteria conspiratorial power, manipulation and is now repeated in some depictions subversion are then transferred from of Zionists and Israel. This reduces Jews (a racial and religious group) on its target to a pest or disease, to Zionism (a political movement). This encouraging the notion that is at the core of the ‘New Antisemitism’ ‘cleansing’ or ‘extermination’ on which so much has been written.” must occur.

Lessons from anti-racism • Scapegoating Jews as the ‘Other’, Israel’s critics can reduce the antisemitic blaming them for local and global content and impact of their actions by problems, and demanding their utilising basic anti-racist principles. They destruction or conversion as a vital should avoid inflammatory catch-all step in the building of a new, better terms such as ‘Israel’s supporters’ and world is echoed in the notion that ‘Zionists’ – both of which can be easily Zionism is uniquely illegitimate, and understood to mean most Jews, but are that its destruction is paradigmatic of frequently used in a demonising and theological and political struggles for dehumanising manner. They should the future of the world. avoid replicating older antisemitic narratives and themes in modern form. • The image of Jews as alien corruptors Furthermore, anti-Israel actions such as of traditional, authentic society and boycotts should at least be established morality endures in acknowledged by their proponents as today’s portrayals of Zionists as activities that will genuinely concern and somehow hijacking other peoples’ isolate many Jews. true will and nature. In the UK, this is especially visible in mainstream Continuities between antisemitism depictions of American Zionists. and anti-Zionism There are numerous continuities • Historically, Jewish-born adherents between historical antisemitic themes of other modes of identity, such and modern anti-Zionism. These include as Christianity, nationalism or the following: communism, had to show that they had cast off their ‘Jewishness’. Today, • Alleging that Jewish religion and/or there are those (mainly on the anti- culture promote Jewish supremacy Israel left) who uniquely demand that and that this is the Jewish basis for Jews declare their attitude to Israel, alleged Zionist racism. before they will be decently treated.

16 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Anti-Jewish-community and being defined and castigated for this antisemitic impacts of anti-Zionism behaviour, rather than being gauged Anti-Israel and anti-Zionist discourse by any of their other actions and risk numerous negative impacts against beliefs. the bulk of the Jewish community, despite the fact that such discourse, • The fostering of a reflexive hatred, particularly from the liberal left, media, fear, suspicion or bias against Jews charities and trade unions, may not be per se, which leads to Jews and inspired by antisemitism. Indeed, some Jewish organisations being activists may specifically warn against prejudicially treated due to the the danger of antisemitic outcomes supposed nature of their support arising from their activities, because for Israel or Zionism. they understand that hostile discourse about Israel and Zionism may – • Extreme hostility to mainstream however inadvertently – have explicitly Jewish representative bodies that antisemitic impacts. actively support Israel.

Anti-Jewish-community and antisemitic • The use of ‘Zionist’ as a pejorative impacts arising from anti-Israel and, in description of any organised Jewish particular, anti-Zionist discourse include (or Jewish related) activity, such as the following: the ‘Zionist Jewish Chronicle’, or the ‘Zionist CST’. These bodies are then • Heightening the likelihood of British maltreated for being allegedly Zionist, Jews and British Jewish organisations rather than properly engaged with. falling victim to antisemitic race hate attacks over controversies involving • Antisemitism is not judged or Israel and/or Zionists. These attacks opposed in its own right, but is have increased significantly since the reacted to according to its supposed year 2000. Combined with the threat relationship with anti-Israel or of antisemitic terrorism, they risk anti-Zionist activism. No other Jewish safety and morale, and require minority’s concerns about hate crime a security response that imposes are treated so partially and harshly further psychological and financial by the self-professed anti-racism burdens upon Jews. movement. In particular, antisemitism from anti-Israel • Providing concealment, sources is often ignored, encouragement and self-legitimisation downplayed or flatly denied. for antisemites. • Holocaust commemoration is • Depicting the Jewish state as a sometimes judged by its supposed uniquely racist or imperialist utility to Zionism and is reacted enterprise. This serves to threaten, to on that basis. This includes isolate and demonise all those who denigrating Holocaust memorial believe that Jews have a right to dates and events by using them statehood. Indeed, anyone showing as opportunities for pro-Palestinian support for Israel or Zionism risks activism.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 17 • Employing anti-Israel rhetoric or actions specifically because they have unique resonance for Jews. For example, comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, or advocating an academic boycott of Israel on the basis that education is a particularly Jewish trait.

• Enacting anti-Israel activities, especially boycotts, that inevitably impact against local Jews far more than on any other sector of society.

18 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Multicultural identity: British Jews, Zionism and Israel Modern Britain is multicultural, with many citizens sharing a strong sense of pride in both their British identity and other familial, national or religious components that comprise their sense of self. This pertains to numerous shared identities, such as black West Indians, Muslim Kashmirs, Sikh Punjabis, or Irish Catholics. These identities may be widely celebrated on occasions such as the Notting Hill Carnival, melas and St Patrick’s Day parades.

Overwhelmingly, British Jews do not A total of 4,081 British Jews responded derive from Israel and their families to the survey, with their responses have been British for at least two or being weighted for disproportionate more generations. Nevertheless, the bias (such as sex, religious affiliation multicultural comparison is instructive, and education) by the researchers. as Israel plays an important role in the Findings included the following: self-identity of many British Jews, in the practical sense of physical, emotional “British Jews and Israel and Zionism” and family links that many Jews enjoy with Israel and Israeli citizens, as well • “72% categorize themselves as as the psychological sense of perceiving Zionists; 21% do not see themselves Israel as representing Jewish as Zionists, and 7% are unsure. self-definition, refuge and rebirth Generally speaking, the more religious in the post-Holocaust age. respondents say they are, the more likely they are to describe themselves 2010 Identity Survey: British Jews, as Zionist.” Zionism and Israel In January and February 2010, the • 82% say Israel plays a “central” Institute for Jewish Policy Research or “important but not central” conducted a survey of British Jewish role in their Jewish identities. attitudes to Israel and Zionism15. 76% “feel that Israel is relevant to their day-to-day lives in Britain”. The survey is highly important when considering the (real and potential) • 95% have visited Israel. 90% regard impacts of anti-Zionist and anti-Israel Israel as the “ancestral homeland” discourse and activity. It shows the of the Jewish people. 87% say that strong self-identification of most British Jews in Britain are part of a global Jews with Israel, and demonstrates Jewish “Diaspora”. 15 David Graham and Jonathan Boyd. how mistaken and malicious it is for Committed, concerned anti-Zionists to depict Zionists as • 77% feel that Jews have a special and conciliatory: warmongers, racists and the like. responsibility for Israel’s survival The attitudes of Jews (including 54% of non-Zionist in Britain towards Eleven per cent of respondents had respondents). 31% agree that Israel. Jewish Policy suffered a recent “antisemitic insult Israel has a responsibility for Research, London, July 2010. or attack”; and just over half of these “ensuring the safety of Jews http://www.jpr.org.uk/ victims believed that this antisemitic around the world”. downloads/JPR%20 incident (or crime) was related to the Israel%20survey% abuser/assailant’s “views on Israel”. 20report%2015.pdf

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 19 • 67% do “not” feel any conflict of loyalty regarding Britain and Israel. 60% say that Israel is either “not” an issue or only “one of several” issues that influence their voting behaviour.

“British Jews: antisemitism and Israel”

• 23% had witnessed some form of antisemitic incident in the previous year. Of these, over half (56%) believed the incident “was ‘probably’ or ‘definitely’ related to the abuser/assailant’s views on Israel.”

• 11% had been subjected to a verbal antisemitic insult or attack in the 12 months leading up to the survey. Over half of these victims (56%) believed the incident “was ‘probably’ or ‘definitely’ related to the abuser/assailant’s views on Israel.”

• 26% “feel uncomfortable living in Britain because of events in Israel”. Respondents living in parts of the country with fewer Jews were the most likely to feel uncomfortable.

“British Jews: attitude to the Israel-Palestine conflict”

• 78% favour a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 56% feel that non-Jewish minorities in Israel suffer discrimination. 55% consider Israel “to be ‘an occupying power’ in the West Bank (Judea/Samaria)” (including 48% of Zionist respondents).

• 74% oppose the expansion of existing Israeli settlements in the West Bank (including 70% of Zionist respondents). 67% favour Israel exchanging land for peace (including 62% of Zionist respondents).

20 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 The Jewish conspiracy: money, power, control and intimidation The charge of secret Jewish power distinguishes antisemitism from all other types of racism.

In 2010, various conspiracy-type The term ‘dual loyalty’ refers to the allegations were expressed at public notion that Jews are only really ever pro-Palestinian meetings, including loyal to each other. This underpins Martin Linton MP referring to “long the conspiracy charge. tentacles of Israel in this country” and Gerald Kaufman MP claiming Today, the ‘Jewish power’ accusation “right-wing Jewish millionaires” is relatively rare. Accusations of ‘Zionist part-own the Conservative Party. power’ are, however, quite common. Those using such language may not be In mainstream media, the Independent antisemitic, but the ‘Jewish’ and newspaper (again) claimed that America ‘Zionist’ power discourses share striking is subservient to “pro-Israel” activists, similarities in both their and described one such lobby group actual composition and their as “Jewish”. BBC Radio 4 failed to scapegoating function. challenge a supposed expert interviewee who claimed that 500,000 Jews around Responsible behaviour the world “will help the Mossad”. The risk of exciting antisemites should not prevent media coverage or public Conspiracy accusations reinforce comment on pro-Israel, Zionist or the notion that Jews and/or Zionists Jewish lobbies. It does, however, mean are disloyal to all but their own kind, that politicians, journalists and others thereby fostering mistrust and should recognise the risks in the antagonism towards all Jews and/or subject matter and behave responsibly, those who are assumed to be ‘Zionists’. as they would in other sensitive areas. Such statements are very rarely rebuked by the organisers of anti-Israel Conspiracy theories and antisemitism events; and subsequent apologies The attraction of any conspiracy are often grudging and partial. theory lies in its ability to coherently (if wrongly) explain how a complex Background: Jewish power, dual world works. It also has a strong loyalty and the conspiracy charge scapegoat function that explains Notions of Jewish power and conspiracy away any failures on the part of are central to antisemitic discourse its proponent. and derive from the need to explain how Jews had sufficient power to All of this renders its proponents kill Jesus. ignorant. When media, politicians, academics and others propagate In more modern times, the allegations conspiracy charges, it renders their became codified in the notorious hoax readers, viewers, followers and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, students similarly ignorant; and the influencing antisemitic discourse within cycle of ignorance and scapegoating Nazism and other ideologies. is reinforced.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 21 The ‘conspiracy charge’ • Any and all critics of Israel within and The Protocols American (and UK) politics or media The ‘conspiracy charge’ contains one, will be denounced as antisemites and or more, of the following allegations: their careers will suffer terribly as a consequence. • Jews have great, hidden power. – intellectually The assertion that a sovereign nation’s – financially actions regarding Israel will, above all – politically other considerations, be decided by the – in media (largely covert) financial, political and media control of pro-Israelis/Zionists • Jews conspire together. (or Jews) is both overly simplistic and • Jews are disloyal, oppose all others highly resonant with pre-Holocaust and cannot be trusted. claims about Jewish conspiracies. • Jews manipulate others to do their public bidding. Of course, some politicians, political parties, media figures and media Today, The Protocols is in the official groups may well be pro-Israel, but this charter of the Palestinian-Islamist group does not amount to the overarching Hamas, which is itself part of the global power and prioritisation of goals that Muslim Brotherhood movement. This the conspiracy charge alleges. signifies how embedded antisemitic Furthermore, such allegations endure conspiracy theory is within much Arab, regardless of timescale and context, Muslim and Islamist anti-Israel and largely regardless of which discourse (both popular and official). Government is in place, or which media figures and groups hold influence. Antisemitic conspiracy and American policy The notion that any, and all, criticism In mainstream circles, conspiracy of Israel will result in being theory is most commonly found meaningfully denounced as an (or insinuated) in discussion of how antisemite is grotesquely exaggerated. American politics and media relate to Israel. To a lesser extent, these charges The unstated implication is that also risk being raised in discussion pro-Israeli/Zionist power is so about UK politicians and media. overwhelming, or intimidating, that one’s career will be terminated. The following allegations are commonly However, few, if any, of the individual made: journalists or politicians cited in this CST discourse report faced sanction • American (and UK) diplomacy by media or party heads for their towards Israel is dictated by behaviour. This in itself shows the the pro-Israel/Zionist lobby. sheer nonsense of such claims.

• American (and UK) media coverage of Israel is subservient to pro-Israel/Zionist interests.

22 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Antisemitic consequences of the word “tentacles”. Neither MP was conspiracy charges challenged on this at the meeting. When Jews and others point out the antisemitic root, or resonance, for Gerald Kaufman MP stated: refined and ostensibly anti-Zionist conspiracy charges, they are often “Just as Lord Ashcroft owns most of the dismissed as Zionist or pro-Israel Conservative Party, right-wing Jewish frauds. This further reinforces the millionaires own the rest.” conspiracy charge and its attendant perversion of the word ‘Zionism’, and Martin Linton MP stated: further distances anti-Israel and pro- Palestinian circles from Jewish majority “There are long tentacles of Israel in perspectives and concerns. this country who are funding election campaigns and putting money into the Jewish money power: Gerald Kaufman British political system for their own MP and Martin Linton MP at Friends of ends.” Al Aqsa meeting, Parliament The antisemitic conspiracy charge was Kaufman, who is Jewish, failed to originally expressed in the Christian apologise when subsequently asked to religious context of Jews being in do so by the Jewish Chronicle. Linton, league with the Devil, in order to kill founding chair of Labour Friends of the Son of G-d. In the Middle Ages, this Palestine, part-apologised, saying: religious notion was joined by the growing socio-economic association of “I’m sorry if a word [tentacles] I used Jews with money and finance. By the caused unintended offence because of early 20th century, Jews were connotations of which I was unaware, negatively associated with capitalism but completely understand and and global commerce. sympathise with.”

Metaphors and imagery for the Nevertheless, Linton stood by his claims conspiracy charge can recur in many about “funding…for their own ends”, different contexts (for example, citing a 2009 Dispatches documentary symmetries between Nazi, Soviet and in his defence, but failing to cite its Arab propaganda). Such memes may presenter having warned that he had be deliberate or ignorant on the part of not found “anything resembling the proponent, yet still reveal the a conspiracy”. enduring danger of antisemitic mythology. One such recurring word, used to depict Jewish or Zionist multifaceted control, is “tentacles”16.

A meeting in Parliament on 23 March 2010, organised by the Islamist 16 http://www.thejc.com /news/uk-news/ pro-Palestinian group Friends of 30211/labour-asked- Al Aqsa, saw two Labour MPs repeating withdraw-anti-zionist- the notions of money power, one using mps

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 23 The Independent: Jewish lobbies article in June 2009, by Washington and grovelling American presidents correspondent David Usborne. On both In March 2010, the Independent 2009 occasions, the paper published newspaper published two articles about letters from CST in protest at this the annual Washington conference of confusion of terminology. CST’s latter America’s leading pro-Israel lobby correspondence ended19: group, AIPAC. The first of these asserted that President Obama would “At root, the failure to distinguish be in Indonesia to avoid having to between Israelis, pro-Israelis and Jews “grovel” to AIPAC. Six days later, the is the same analytical meltdown that same commentator, Rupert Cornwell, occurs in the minds of those who described AIPAC as “the Jewish lobby physically attack and threaten British group”17. Jews every time there is a flare-up in the cycle of violence between Israelis Cornwell’s initial article bemoaned and Palestinians. The Independent President Obama’s supposed failure to really ought to do better.” stand up to Israel, implying that he was powerless to do so18: Middle East Monitor: modern UK Islamist conspiracy and “In fact, his [Obama’s] greatest error ‘dual loyalty’ charges was not to think through the clout of “…Zionist-inspired narrative…swallowed America’s pro-Israel lobby.” to-date along with the no doubt very 17 http://www. tasty kosher food…” independent.co.uk/ Cornwell then cited the arguments news/world/politics/ against a 2007 book that had claimed MEMO (Middle East Monitor) is led by peace-talks-could-be- delayed-for-a-year- to reveal pro-Israeli influence over US former senior Muslim Council of Britain warns-israel- Government foreign policy. He added figure Daud Abdullah. It is an 1926177.html that American support for Israel’s 2009 increasingly important element in those conflict with Hamas proved that British Islamist lobbying circles that 18 http://www. include Friends of Al Aqsa (see above: independent.co.uk/ “…power lies in the perception of hosts of Kaufman and Linton) and opinion/commentators /rupert-cornwell/ power, and no organisation in Palestinian fundraisers Interpal. rupert-cornwell- Washington is perceived to wield more obama-wont-restrain- power than AIPAC, the American Israeli In April 2010, MEMO’s website featured israel--he-cant- Public Affairs Committee.” an article by Islamist activist Yvonne 1922958.html Ridley, which also used “tentacles”, The varying depictions of AIPAC as a regarding (British) prosecutions of 19 http://www. 20 independent.co.uk/ “pro-Israel lobby” and as a “Jewish anti-Israel demonstrators : opinion/letters/letters- lobby group” show the ease with which the-northern-irish- an anti-Israel accusation can become “For too long have we allowed the long, educational-system- an anti-Jewish one. Worse still, in poisonous tentacles of Zionism and 1644914.html March 2009, the Independent’s Islamaphobia [sic] to twist and weave coverage of that year’s AIPAC their way into British courts. Ordinary, 20 http://www.middle eastmonitor.org.uk/ conference (also written by Rupert law-abiding citizens of faith and no faith articles/europe?format Cornwell) had made exactly the same have had enough of seeing our =feed&type=rss error, as had yet another Independent courtrooms hijacked by those

24 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 who believe some are more equal than In November 2010, MEMO’s website others when it comes to freedoms and carried an article by Interpal’s leader, liberties. Ibrahim Hewitt, that used Chancellor George Osborne’s speech at the 250th “…there’s no place for Zionist meddling anniversary dinner of the Board of in the judiciary…” Deputies of British Jews, in order to hint at antisemitic conspiracy22. In September 2010, MEMO’s website evoked dual-loyalty charges, The Hewitt article was stridently anti- questioning Matthew Gould’s suitability Israel and anti-Zionist, but also wove to be British ambassador to Israel, on numerous Jewish-related references account of his being Jewish. It also into these criticisms, and depicted the depicted David Miliband as a member of Board as an agent of Israel. It began “North London’s increasingly influential by implying that Jews have always Jewish community”, and pondered if been feted by senior politicians, who David Cameron’s appointment of Gould “almost...pay homage at the court” was “playing the Jewish card”21: of the Board23:

“Can a Jewish ambassador to Israel “It is heartening that a senior British ever be truly objective when advising politician can still find the time to his home government on relations with attend a minority community function the Jewish state?...Despite Matthew to offer praise and support for its Gould’s claim to be ‘a career diplomat’, contribution to British society. What his previous service as the principal made George Osborne’s [Board] private secretary to Labour’s David speech…a bit different is that this was 21 http://www.middle Miliband (also a member of North nothing out of the ordinary. It is almost eastmonitor.org.uk/ London’s increasingly influential Jewish de rigueur for politicians to pay homage resources/commentary community) when he was Foreign at the court of the Board of Deputies -and-analysis/1512- Secretary suggests that Conservative and, in the process, pledge allegiance memo-comment-is- Mr. Cameron is indeed playing the to, sorry, support for the State of britains-new- ambassador-to-israel- Jewish card with this appointment. But Israel.” really-going-to-be- for whose benefit: Britain’s or Israel’s? objective The word “almost” softened Hewitt’s “…Mr. Gould is entitled to migrate claim and was followed by a depiction 22 For many years, to Israel, settle there and obtain of the Board as: the Board has been ‘automatic citizenship’ of the Jewish a lightning rod for such allegations. state. He is, in all but name, a person “…an institution that stands as an Where once they with dual citizenship rights, albeit with example for other minorities in Britain were directed at the one set of rights pending until his to admire[:] strong, active, wealthy and Board for being retirement from British government close to those in power, regardless of ‘Jewish’, they now service…[C]an he serve what are to which party they happen to belong to.” depict it as ‘Zionist’. all intents and purposes two masters 23 http://www.middle at the same time?” Hewitt then made an egregious eastmonitor.org.uk/ comment about “rabbi-like” and implied articles/europe/1784- that the Board was financially george-osborne- controlling the chancellor: needs-a-reality-check

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 25 “Mr. Osborne’s opening remarks Phillips replied, rebutting claims of included rabbi-like humour…They were being anti-Israel25, but saying nothing probably rolling in the aisles by this of the reported Holocaust and Jewish stage. Osborne had the audience in his lobby remarks. pocket. Or maybe it was the other way round.” Guardian Comment is Free: partial retraction of “global domination” Next, the article criticised Israel whilst claim also repeating Osborne’s points about On 29 December 2010, the Guardian antisemitism and providing safety. Comment is Free website ran a pro- Nevertheless, Hewitt then made Palestinian article by John Whitbeck. a gratuitous reference to a The subheading summarised it as26: “gas chamber”: “Nations covering 80–90% of the “The [tear gas] canisters’ labels were world’s population recognise Palestine explicit that they should not be fired in as a state. The US, subservient to confined places otherwise they turn the Israel, stands out.” room into something akin to a gas chamber.” The article amplified the “subservient” accusation, stating that “rogue state” The article ended with further is applied to “any country that actively anti-Israel and anti-Zionist comments, resists Israeli-American global and yet another Jewish-related remark, domination.” It then referred this time concerning “kosher”: to America’s “slavish subservience 24 http://www.thejc.com/ to Israel”. blogpost/lord-phillips- america-grip-well- “Mr. Osborne. Perhaps you need a visit organised-jewish- to Gaza to see for yourself and come to CST discussed the article with the lobby the table with a balanced and informed Guardian, explaining why this language view instead of the Zionist-inspired was redolent of antisemitic conspiracy 25 Phillips said that narrative that you have swallowed to- theory. On 17 January 2011, it was he “passionately date along with the no doubt very tasty amended online, with “global supports” Israel’s existence and had kosher food at the dinner on Tuesday.” domination” and “slavish” removed. volunteered to fight Nevertheless, the core word on Israel’s behalf in Lord Phillips: Holocaust influence “subservience” remained, both in the the 1973 war. and the American Jewish lobby subheading and the article. On 3 November 2010, Lord Phillips of 26 http://www.guardian. Sudbury spoke at a Palestine Solidarity BBC Radio 4 broadcast: half a co.uk/commentisfree/ 2010/dec/29/ Campaign event in the Palace of million Jews “who will help Mossad” us-israel-palestine- Westminster. Bloggers reported him The January 2010 assassination in independence speaking against Israel and saying24: Dubai of a Hamas leader was widely blamed on Israel’s Mossad intelligence 27 http://www.thejc.com/ “Europe cannot think straight about agency. Ensuing media attention news/uk-news/ Israel because of the Holocaust and included BBC Radio 4’s PM programme 28777/million-jews- aid-mossad-says- America is in the grip of the well- interviewing Gordon Thomas, author of 27 writer-radio-4 organised Jewish lobby”. Gideon’s Spies, who stated :

26 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 “…[Mossad] have a whole back-up [Long asks:] “Why such a focus on the system...These are people who are Holocaust then? ‘The Jewish domination local residents, Jewish people who of the media,’ he [Stone] says. ‘There’s will help the Mossad and there are a major lobby in the United States. estimated to be in the world about half They are hard workers. They stay a million, some people say a million, on top of every comment, the most I tend to say half a million from what powerful lobby in Washington. Israel I've learnt from the Mossad people." has f***** up United States foreign policy for years.’” Eight to nine million Jews live outside Israel, worldwide, so Thomas’ claim Following protests from Israeli and means that (at an absolute minimum) American Jewish groups, Stone over one in twenty diaspora Jews may apologised (via Jewish-owned PR be called upon by Mossad. It is, company Rubenstein Communications) therefore, a very rare concretisation for his comments about Jews and the of the somewhat widespread Jewish- media: Israeli conspiracy and dual-loyalty charges. The BBC did not challenge “In trying to make a broader historical the assertion on air, later saying: point about the range of atrocities the Germans committed against many "The sentiments expressed by Gordon people, I made a clumsy association Thomas were clearly his own opinions. about the Holocaust, for which I am They came at the end of the sorry and I regret. interview...and there was no time to come back on them." “Jews obviously do not control media or any other industry. The fact that the The Sunday Times: Oliver Stone Holocaust is still a very important, vivid alleges Jewish control of US media and current matter today is, in fact, a and foreign policy great credit to the very hard work of a Controversy followed a Sunday Times broad coalition of people committed to interview with American film director the remembrance of this atrocity – and Oliver Stone in which he repeated the it was an atrocity.” antisemitic charge about Jews running American media, and echoed that of The failure to mention his American Jews running American foreign policy28. foreign policy allegation led to further protest, and another apology: Stone’s comments appeared at the end of an interview with Camilla Long and “…it was wrong of me to say that Israel they were not challenged in the article: or the pro-Israel lobby is to blame for America’s flawed foreign policy...Of 28 http://blog.thecst. [Stone:] “Hitler did far more damage to course that’s not true, and I apologize org.uk/?p=1764 the Russians than [to] the Jewish that my inappropriately glib remark has 29 http://www.jpost.com/ 29 people, 25 or 30m.” played into that negative stereotype .” ArtsAndCulture/Entert ainment/Article.aspx? id=182995

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 27 Anti-Israel rhetoric

The risk of antisemitism requires mainstream figures and media to behave responsibly when indulging in such rhetoric.

As stated elsewhere in this report, wrote the expatriate Israeli musician anti-Israel rhetoric is not necessarily Gilad Atzmon, is now ‘at the heart of antisemitic; and the risk of fuelling the battle for a better world’. antisemitism should not prevent its propagation. It is neither CST’s purpose, “However, his fellow Jews in western nor intention, to argue the case for countries, such as Britain and Australia, Israel. Nevertheless, the risk of whose influence is critical, are still antisemitism requires mainstream mostly silent, still looking away, still figures and media to behave responsibly accepting, as Nurit said, ‘the when indulging in such rhetoric. brainwashing and reality distortion’.

John Pilger, the New Statesman: “And yet the responsibility to speak out Jews “culpable...should their could not be clearer, and the lessons of silence persist” history – family history for many – A New Statesman article by John Pilger ensure that it renders them culpable approvingly cited the notorious Gilad should their silence persist. For Atzmon, and said that Jews around inspiration, I recommend the moral the world would be “culpable” for courage of Rami and Nurit.” the “murderous, racist toll of Zionism…should their silence persist”. The New Statesman subsequently published a letter of complaint from Atzmon is of Israeli-Jewish origin, CST which explained the antisemitic but has renounced his past identity30 dangers of Pilger’s article. The letter and is widely regarded as antisemitic concerned antisemitism, but was (including within anti-Zionist circles such headlined by the New Statesman as as the Socialist Workers Party). Despite “On Israel”. It read32: this, Pilger’s article referred to Atzmon’s “fellow Jews” and described him as “Having correctly demanded public 30 http://thescotsman. scotsman.com/features merely an “expatriate Israeli musician”. decency about Muslims and Islam /39I-thought-music- (15 February), the NS keeps publishing could-heal.3804991. Pilger’s article was entitled “Listen to John Pilger’s feverish rhetoric against jp?CommentPage=1& the heroes of Israel” and was premised Jews and Zionism (‘Listen to the heroes CommentPageLength= upon his praise for Rami and Nurit of Israel’, 1 March). 1000 Elhanan, the Israeli founders of Parents

31 http://www.new Circle – Families Forum, a joint “Pilger lambasts ‘the murderous, racist statesman.com/ initiative by Israelis and Palestinians toll of Zionism’ and approves Gilad international- who have lost loved ones in the conflict Atzmon depicting the Israeli-Palestinian politics/2010/03/pilger between their respective peoples. Pilger conflict in a recent essay as being ‘at -israel-rami-nurit then wrote31: the heart of the battle for a better world’. Atzmon states: ‘Considering 32 http://www.new statesman.com/2010/ “…proof of the murderous, racist toll of Zionism is a murderous, racist, 03/march-labour- Zionism has been an epiphany for many expansionist ideology, it is natural to car-foot-atzmon people; justice for the Palestinians, stress that people who are affiliated

28 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 with Israel and Zionism must be removed immediately from any political, government, military or strategic posts and so on.’

“Nevertheless, Atzmon stresses that he doesn’t mean Jews, unlike Pilger, who asserts ‘[Atzmon's] fellow Jews in western countries…whose influence is crucial, are still mostly silent…it renders them culpable should their silence persist’. Pilger must know that Jews have extensive and bloody experience of their tiny number being collectively blamed for preventing the birth of a better world. In any other context, NS editors would recognise such claims of mass culpability as racist.”

Pilger responded, describing the letter as “a useful example of the moral and intellectual perversion that apologists for Israel now display with increasing desperation”33. He also wrongly claimed that the title of his article had been omitted from CST’s letter so that it could more easily castigate him. The New Statesman issued a subsequent “clarification” of this point, but refused to apologise further for Pilger’s insulting depiction of CST34.

33 Pilger’s response appears to have been removed from the New Statesman’s website.

34 http://www.new statesman.com/2010/ 03/march-letter- american-john

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 29 Facebook “kill a jew day”

This graphic shows “kill a jew day” page on facebook, but is taken from the anti-racist website Modernity Blog that brought the story to public notice. This page and others like it, were subsequently removed.

30 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Public comments on British antisemitism

In 2010, there were two especially or something. But you can attack notable public comments regarding Israel. And the atmosphere becomes British levels of antisemitism and very unpleasant. It is traditional, its relation to anti-Israel attitudes. snobbish, British anti-Semitism combined with present-day Interviewed by the journal The Tablet circumstances." in July, Israeli President, Shimon Peres, noted “pro-Arab” and “anti-Israel” sentiment amongst the UK establishment. Asked if this was due to antisemitism, Peres replied:

“Yes, there is also anti-Semitism. There is in England a saying that an anti-Semite is someone who hates the Jews more than is necessary. But with Germany, [Israel’s] relations are pretty good, as with Italy and France.”

Peres quickly clarified his comments, saying that he had the “highest regard” for Britain’s opposition to Nazi Germany35. His spokesman stated:

“President Peres never accused the British people of anti-Semitism…The president does not believe that British governments are motivated by anti- Semitism, nor were they in the past.”

Interviewed by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz in November, writer Martin Amis stated36:

"I live in a mildly anti-Semitic country, and Europe is mildly anti-Semitic, and they hold Israel to a higher moral 35 http://www.telegraph. co.uk/news/worldnews standard than its neighbours. If you /middleeast/israel/ bring up Israel in a public meeting 7921391/Shimon- in England, the whole atmosphere Peres-denies-calling- changes. The standard left-wing person British-anti- never feels more comfortable than Semites.html when attacking Israel. Because they 36 http://www.haaretz. are the only foreigners you can attack. com/weekend/week-s- Everyone else is protected by having end/writing-is- dark skin, or colonial history, freedom-1.325599

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 31 Holocaust denial and minimisation

Holocaust denial generally concentrates upon disputing the existence, or usage, of Nazi gas chambers and crematoria. Holocaust minimisation concedes that Jews were murdered, but seeks to minimise the number of Jewish deaths. Holocaust denial and minimisation are widely regarded as illegitimate and essentially antisemitic (and are illegal in some countries).

British National Party (BNP): “…[intelligence records] makes it quite Holocaust denial and minimisation possible to believe that a million people were shot to death on anti-partisan The year 2010 saw the high point of warfare…you are no longer missing the BNP electoral fortunes, with party 2.9. You are missing nearly two leader Nick Griffin and veteran activist million…anyone who questions this Andrew Brons becoming the party’s first [6 million] is held up as anti-semitic. elected Members of the European Whereas, it’s nothing to do with Parliament. This brought much media antisemitism at all.” scrutiny upon Griffin and the BNP, with both being accused of Holocaust denial He then continued, inferring that the – a subject that exemplified whether or power of unspecified “interest groups” not the BNP should be regarded as legally compelled him to accept the somehow respectable. The BNP failed 6 million figure. (Note: Holocaust denial such scrutiny. is illegal in some European states, but not in Britain.) He said: Despite the importance of the issue for his own, and the party’s, reputation, “It’s about the rights of free speech, or Griffin fell short of explicitly the right of the states and powerful acknowledging that approximately vested interest groups, to prevent free 6 million Jews were killed. Under close speech. That’s what it’s actually about. questioning, he repeated a discredited But because everyone’s misunderstood Holocaust minimisation claim, that or it leads one to jail, I have no doubt (inflated) Soviet figures of 4 million whatsoever that the others, the missing Auschwitz deaths were included in ones, must have been there so clearly mainstream historians’ 6 million death the six million figure is correct.” toll. His comments included the following37: BNP Councillor: “300,000” Jewish Holocaust deaths “…my doubts were, specifically with the Steve Batkin, a BNP councillor in Stoke six million figure…used as a moral club and a governor at two schools, told a to prevent any sensible debate about local mainstream news blog38: 37 http://www.total immigration…It’s nothing to do with politics.com/articles/ 4093/in-conversation- anti-semitism or anything. “I’ve always believed about 300,000 with-nick-griffin.thtml people died in the Jewish Holocaust, “…it emerged that the authorities of not 6 million.” 38 http://pitsnpots.co.uk/ Auschwitz downgraded the scale of news/2010/05/ the murders there from four million When asked how he reached this stoke-bnp-councillor- to a still shattering and appalling conclusion, Batkin replied: responds-nazi-salute- photo 1.1 million. So you’re 2.9 million short.

32 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 “I have read quite a lot about European history, about the Second World War, and although I realise a lot of Jews died, in my opinion there’s no way there was that many Jews in Europe at that point in time which could have possibly sustained that amount of deaths.”

Still taken from YouTube video showing release from prison of Ernst Zundel, a Holocaust denier and author of The Hitler we Loved And Why.

Richard Edmonds greets Holocaust group of supporters including Richard denier Edmonds, a member of the BNP’s On 1 March 2010, veteran neo-Nazi Advisory Council. Throughout the Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel was 1980s, Edmonds (whilst deputy leader released from a German prison after of the BNP) had distributed the 39 http://blog.thecst. five years imprisonment for Holocaust notorious Holocaust denial broadsheet org.uk/index.php? denial39. He was greeted by a small Holocaust News. s=zundel

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 33 Holocaust abuse and anti-Israel activism

The sheer scale, importance and Socialist Workers Party (SWP): collective trauma of the Holocaust “Go back to Auschwitz” obfuscation renders it a subject of the highest In June 2010, controversy surrounded sensitivity for Jews. Israel’s killing of nine people aboard the Mavi Marmara ship, as Israeli forces Acknowledging the Holocaust, but doing prevented a Turkish-flagged flotilla of so in order to attack Jews, or Jewish boats from reaching Gaza. An editorial projects (in particular Zionism and Israel), in the SWP weekly, Socialist Worker, is a grotesque abuse of Jewish history and reacted angrily to a BBC Panorama memory, capable of causing direct and programme that essentially accepted significant emotional hurt to Jews. Israel’s version of events40. This included the BBC referring to the antisemitic Comparing the Holocaust, or Nazi catcall “Shut up, go back to Auschwitz”, Germany, to Israel, is a deeply insidious said in a radio transmission from one of abuse that distorts the reality of both the boats in response to the Israeli Navy the Holocaust and Middle East conflicts. having contacted the flotilla. It trivialises (and therefore implicitly denies the essence of) the Holocaust, The initial Israeli release of radio attempts to displace Jews as its victims transmissions between the Israeli Navy (replacing them with Palestinians), and the flotilla had included the claim and risks providing a retroactive that “Shut up, go back to Auschwitz” part-justification, or part-rationalisation, had been said from the Mavi Marmara. of Nazi Jew-hatred. The recording’s validity was challenged, leading Israel to release the entire tape The abuse and trivialisation of the and to state that it did not know which Holocaust is relatively common in boat had transmitted the antisemitic anti-Israel campaigning circles, where it remark. The Israeli statement included is perpetrated, or willingly tolerated, by the following41: Members of Parliament, journalists and human rights campaigners, amongst “…So to clarify: the audio was edited others. This manifests primarily as: down to cut out periods of silence over the radio as well as incomprehensible • Repeatedly using, or repeatedly comments so as to make it easier for tolerating, expressions such as ‘Gaza people to listen to the exchange. We equals the Warsaw Ghetto’. have now uploaded the entire segment 40 http://www.socialist • Holocaust memory abuse (such as the of 5 minutes and 58 seconds in which worker.co.uk/art.php? use of Holocaust memorial dates and the exchange took place and the id=22163 events for pro-Palestinian activism). comments were made.

41 http://idfspokes • Acceptance of links to websites and person.com/2010/06/ activists from far right, Islamist and “This transmission had originally cited 05/clarification Iranian sources that deny, relativise the Mavi Marmara ship as being the correction-regarding- or minimise the Holocaust. source of these remarks, however, due audio-transmission- • Denying, distorting or ignoring to an open channel, the specific ship between-israeli-navy- concerns about Holocaust denial, or ships in the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ and-flotilla-on-31- may-2010-posted- minimisation or abuse in responding to the Israeli Navy could on-5-june-2010/ Israel-related contexts. not be identified…”

34 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 The Socialist Worker editorial claimed this clarification as “admitting that the recording had been doctored”. Its attack implied (but did not explicitly state) that “go back to Auschwitz” had been faked:

“…Immediately after the [Marmara] attack the IDF said that its soldiers had been shot, though it soon had to withdraw this allegation. It released a recording it claimed was broadcast from the flotilla, telling the Israelis, ‘Shut up, go back to Auschwitz.’

“The IDF soon backed off, admitting that the recording had been doctored. But both these allegations were included in the ‘evidence’ presented by Panorama…”

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 35 Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) is a particularly active lobby group. It regularly indulges in extreme anti-Israel rhetoric, including the linkage of Israel and Nazi Germany.

The extent of SPSC’s animus towards majority Jewish perspectives on Israel and Zionism was keenly illustrated in its 19 September depiction42 of the Jewish Telegraph newspaper as “a mainstream 42 http://williambowles. Zionist publication” (after the Jewish info/2010/09/19/ newspaper ran a reader’s letter that zionist-incitement- to-violence-against- asked why Mossad had not been spsc-speakers-gideon- “ordered to eliminate” a prominent levy-and-ben-white/ Jewish Israeli journalist whom SPSC had hosted). 43 SPSC used the cartoon to (approvingly) SPSC used this cartoon43 showing illustrate a press release from an Israeli the tracks of the death camp at peace group. Auschwitz-Birkenau superimposed http://www.scottishps upon Israel’s security barrier. The c.org.uk/index.php?op cartoon sprang to prominence after tion=com_content&vie winning first prize in the notorious w=article&id=3536: Iranian cartoon competition of 2006 dutch-police-move- against-company- that denigrated the Holocaust. servicing-illegal-israeli- west-bank-occupation SPSC’s caption for the cartoon used the &catid=573:news&Ite word “solution”, evoking the Nazi final mid=200549 solution:

44 http://scottishpsc.org. uk/index.php?option= “Israel's filthy Wall – what is Israel's com_content&view= solution to 'too many Palestinians' in article&id=3466:zionist Palestine?” -leader-attacks-judge- who-acknowledged- This cartoon, using Stars of David and murderous-nature-of- a tank to construct an image of Hitler, israels-gaza- massacres featured on SPSC’s website alongside &catid=502:news&Ite an article about a UK arms factory and mid=200435 Israel44.

36 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 These cartoons, abusing the Holocaust and Nazi Germany for anti-Israel campaigning, featured on the website of the Scottish Palestine Campaign. Lee Jasper at Islamic Human Rights displayed intensifying Holocaust abuse Commission meeting in the service of anti-Israel sentiment. For many years, Lee Jasper was one of Britain’s best known anti-racism The controversy began when George activists, culminating in his work as Abendstern (who came to Britain as a Director for Policing and Equalities45 for Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany) then-London Mayor Ken Livingstone. objected to a prior letter that had called for states for Israelis and Palestinians. On 17 January 2010 (10 days before He stated: Holocaust Memorial Day), Jasper spoke at the Genocide Memorial Day event of “…[Zionist Jewish immigrants] have no the pro-Iranian-regime group the Islamic regard for the indigenous people of Human Rights Commission (IHRC). Palestine and may yet turn to the ‘final solution’. This the world has to Jasper gave a detailed analysis of the prevent48.” slave trade, colonialism and racism, but also stated: When author Phil Katz objected to “final solution” being used49, Abendstern’s “We are one year on from Gaza, it (Jewish) partner, Linda Clare, then seems to me almost unimaginable that replied: a people such as the Jewish community 45 This included Jasper who suffered so grievously under the “…If knowingly bombing populated working with CST on yoke of Nazism and fascism should areas with white phosphorus does not occasion. forget the fundamental lesson of that stem from the same mentality as the oppression and the state of gas chambers did I would like to know 46 http://www.inminds. com/genocideday2010 Israel…around Palestine…seeks to do to the difference. Methods of mass killing .php others exactly that which was done to have moved on since 1945. The effect them by the Nazis46.” is the same.” 47 Currently linked to the (UK) Communist The content of these comments, The Morning Star entitled Clare’s letter Party; see especially on this date and within the as “Israeli road could lead to a http://www.communist- party.org.uk/index.php broader context of an otherwise serious holocaust”, despite it not featuring the 50 ?option=com_content theoretical presentation on racism, was word ‘holocaust’ . &view=category&layo a significant betrayal of principles by a ut=blog&id=89&Itemi man of Jasper’s standing. The arguments continued in the letters d=150 column, with one writer stating: The Morning Star: Holocaust abuse “Zionism aims to exterminate the 48 http://www.morning staronline.co.uk/news/ in readers’ letters column Palestinian people”, and another letter content/view/full/97249 The Morning Star has long been from Abendstern referring directly to associated with British communism47 the Holocaust: 49 http://www.morning and describes itself as “still the only staronline.co.uk/news/ English-language socialist daily “...Finally Mr Katz has a problem with content/view/full/97382 newspaper published in the world”. It is the term ‘final solution’.

50 http://www.morning fiercely anti-Israel, but an exchange of staronline.co.uk/news/ letters in November 2010, including the “Fine by me – shall we call it a content/view/full/97428 headlines given them by the paper, ‘holocaust’ instead?”

38 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 The newspaper headlined this final done without feeling guilty’”. letter as: Meyer spoke alongside a video link from Gaza by Dr Haidar Eid, a leading “Israel is happy to exterminate Palestinian activist in the international Palestinians”51. campaign to boycott Israeli academia. Eid’s presentation included the claim “Never again for anyone – that Nazism had “won”, because its Auschwitz to Gaza” “victims” had now essentially become Dr Hajo Meyer toured Britain alleging the new Nazis: parallels between Israel and Nazi Germany. Entitled “Never again for "If there is something to learn from anyone – Auschwitz to Gaza”52, the tour Gaza 2009, it is that the world was part-coincided with official UK Holocaust absolutely wrong to think that Nazism memorial events, and included a was defeated in 1945. Nazism has won 51 http://www.morning meeting at the House of Commons because it has finally managed to staronline.co.uk/conte (chaired by Jeremy Corbyn MP) on Nazify the consciousness of its own nt/view/full/97785 Holocaust Memorial Day itself, and victims..." a meeting at Goldsmiths, University 52 http://www.scottish of London, the night before. SPSC objected to the Holocaust psc.org.uk/index.php? option=com_content& Memorial Day Trust’s refusal to view=article&id=3172 56 Meyer is a Holocaust survivor, and advertise the tour, stating : :2010-jan-20th- an activist in the International Jewish holocaust-survivor- anti-Zionist Network, co-organisers “...We call upon the HMD website to starts-uk-tour-at- of the tour along with the Scottish immediately publicise these important edinburgh-sheriff- Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC). events: otherwise the impression will court&catid=255&Item id=100345 His extreme stance was summarised spread that the memory of the 53 by the Glasgow Herald headline : Holocaust is being selectively used to 53 http://www.herald further an agenda in support of British scotland.com/news/po “Auschwitz survivor: ‘Israel acts like and Israeli militarism.” litics/auschwitz- Nazis’”. survivor-israel-acts- like-nazis-1.1000918 Meyer’s actual presentation54 included 54 Entitled "The misuse his describing the leading Holocaust of the Holocaust for author, Elie Wiesel, as the “high priest” political purposes". of Zionists’ “Holocaust Religion”55: 55 http://www.inminds. "Judaism in Israel has been substituted com/never-again.php by the Holocaust Religion whose high 56 http://www.scottish priest is Elie Wesel… psc.org.uk/index.php? option=com_content& “…Its content [Holocaust Religion] is view=article&id=3164 that 'we Jews have the monopoly on :hmd-trust-refuses-to- suffering', 'nobody has suffered or ever publicise-meeting- with-auschwitz- will suffer like the Jews have therefore survivor&catid=459:th what ever we do to the Palestinians is e-case-against- less than what we suffered, and can be israel&Itemid=200377

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 39 Campus: impacts of heated political debate

For decades, university campuses have been a microcosm of wider political argument over the Middle East. Now, anti-Israel boycotts are threatened by some lecturers and students alike; and on occasion, Jewish students can perceive themselves to be especially isolated and vulnerable on their campuses.

Jewish student bodies and Jewish referred four times to the “Jewish lobby” communal representative groups have (rather than the Zionist or pro-Israel repeatedly expressed concern about this lobby) and shouted at Jewish students, continuing situation. These concerns “You bombed Gaza”. Other students called have been supported by Government, their Jewish counterparts “Nazis”58. largely acknowledged by national and local student unions, but are resolutely The event was chaired by senior LSE denied by many anti-Israel academics. lecturer Professor Martha Mundy, The response of university authorities co-convenor of the British Committee for has been varied. Some have striven to the Universities of Palestine. Pro-Israeli calm student tensions, whilst others cite students (with whom Mundy disagreed) freedom of speech yet care little when complained that she treated them such freedoms are abused. unfairly. Subsequent complaints by Jewish students revealed that the meeting had One constructive attempt to balance been filmed, but by the Palestine Society freedom of speech with protection from rather than the Students’ Union. The hate speech and tension was a proposal Police investigated Bari Atwan’s remarks, by the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) but no arrests were made. whereby university authorities would agree to video student meetings in case Carly McKenzie, UJS campaigns anything arose that required possible director, said59: legal or disciplinary actions. This was adopted by some campuses. “We support freedom of speech, but that freedom also comes with responsibility. Antisemitic rhetoric and the London Those involved with the organisation and 57 http://www.ujs.org.uk /news/582/ujs-chair- School of Economics (LSE) regulation of this event have failed to live alex-dwek-s-speech- A talk at LSE’s Palestine Society up to that responsibility, despite prior on-tackling-hate- (8 December 2010) by Arab media assurances to the contrary. The comments speech-on-campus/ commentator Abdel Bari Atwan made by Atwan and others tapped into epitomised the complex nature of classic antisemitic tropes of ‘Elders of Zion’ 58 http://www.thejc.com campus antisemitism, its tolerance conspiracy, accusations of Jewish dual /news/uk- news/42342/police- within anti-Israel circles and its impact loyalty, equation of Jews with Nazis and 57 probe-antisemitic- upon student welfare . blaming Jews in general for particular speech-lse actions of the Israeli government. The talk’s title, “How much influence does 59 http://www.totally the Zionist Lobby exert on US & UK “Universities should be safe spaces for jewish.com/news/ Foreign Policy?”, had led Israeli and Jewish students, free from hatred. These national/c- 15406/jewish- student groups to fear antisemitic content, shocking incidents highlight the students-called-nazis- and the Students’ Union agreed to monitor importance of better regulation of at-lse-debate/ the event. Nevertheless, Bari Atwan extremist speakers on our campuses.”

40 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Far right groups, Jews, Israel and anti-Muslim politics Since the 1980s, many British and Jews reject BNP and EDL: anti-Zionists European far right groups have adopted allege and fabricate collusion policies that render them less open to In Britain, 2010 saw two distinct groups charges of Nazism and indiscriminate – the British National Party (BNP) and racism. This includes these groups the English Defence League (EDL) – welcoming Jewish, black and homosexual laying claim to somehow being members, and focussing upon Muslims pro-Jewish and pro-Israel. Jews and Islam as their primary target. overwhelmingly rejected both groups60, The anti-Muslim policies range from and CST and other leading UK Jewish legitimate debate to Islamophobia and bodies repeatedly urged that there be no random hate crimes against Muslims. compromise with anti-Muslim racism61.

British Jews overwhelmingly rejected Despite Jewish communal rejection of overtures from the British National both the BNP and EDL, some anti-Zionist Party and the English Defence League. groups excitedly claimed that there were Media coverage of both groups’ ideological and activist links between supposed pro-Jewish and pro-Israel mainstream Zionism and Islamophobia. activities vastly exceeded the reality of This gross misrepresentation was aided the situation. by widespread media photographs of EDL members using Israeli flags as In some cases, far right shifts provocations at their demonstrations in genuinely reflect generational and Muslim neighbourhoods. cultural change. In others, they are opportunistic attempts at rebranding In October 2010, the Jewish Chronicle discredited ideologies, leaders and was forced to cancel a readers poll, groups. In particular, support for Israel “Should Rabbis work with the EDL?”, is professed because it is seen as a after Boycott Israel Network activists bulwark against Islam and because started voting “yes” in order to support for the Jewish state enables maliciously embarrass Zionists and the far right groups to not only deny Chronicle’s (Jewish) readership62. accusations of antisemitism but to claim to Jews that they are the only ones Terry Gallogly, chairman of York willing to stand and defend Israel. Palestine Solidarity Campaign, urged: 60 http://www.thejc.com “People might like to vote in this poll /news/uk- Such policies pose serious political risks if only to embarass [sic]...the Zionist news/30876/jewish- for British and European Jews (and, of Federation”. organisations-team- course, for Muslims also). In particular, fight-political-racism Jews are portrayed as being natural Tony Greenstein (a Jewish anti-Zionist 61 http://www.thejc.com allies for crass anti-Muslim racism. activist) replied to Gallogly: /news/uk- There are, indeed, many Jews who have “Done so and voted – in favour of news/39434/the- deep concerns about Muslim course. Please try to make sure that english-defence-league- communities’ overall attitudes to Israel, people on BIN [Boycott Israel Network] and-surfing-rabbi Zionism and Jews, but inter-communal vote and to vote yes. It will be quite 62 http://www.thejc.com relations can only be further worsened if good for us that a JC [Jewish Chronicle] /blogpost/anti- Jews are regarded as somehow poll comes out in favour of working zionists-urge-rabbis- naturally allied to racist far right politics. with the EDL!!!” work-edl

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 41 The Observer corrects EDL “senior rabbi” claim Media hype about Jewish activism within EDL peaked when Rabbi Nachum Shifren of California spoke to an EDL demonstration outside London’s Israeli embassy in October 2010.

Rabbi Shifren, a former activist in Israel’s extremist Kach movement, was wrongly described in an Observer newspaper piece as “a senior US rabbi”. Following intervention by CST and others, the newspaper published a correction, stating: “Rabbi Shifren holds no office and should not be regarded as ‘senior’ within the US rabbinate”63.

63 http://www.guardian. co.uk/theobserver/ 2010/dec/12/for-the- record?INTCMP=SRCH

42 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 The Independent: article attacking Orthodox Jewish community Independent columnist Christina There then followed a lengthy attack Patterson sparked outrage with her upon female genital mutilation in article of 28 July 2010, “The limits of Muslim communities, before Patterson multi-culturalism”64. Jewish Chronicle resumed the “goy” theme: writer Miriam Shaviv described it as65: “There is, I’m sure, nothing in the “…one of the ugliest, most vile pieces Koran to indicate that hacking off a ever published in the British press.” girl’s labia is an all-round great idea, just as there’s nothing in the Torah to The article appealed for Stamford Hill’s say that Volvos should always be driven Jews to integrate more with other with a mobile phone in hand, and communities in this diverse London goyim should be treated with neighbourhood. There is nothing contempt.” intrinsically illegitimate in such an appeal, but the article was a thoroughly Amongst other rhetorical attacks, insensitive polemic against Jews, and Patterson wrote that she is made “sad” also against Muslims (whom it attacked by Jewish eight-year-old boys who have at length for genital mutilation). “presumably…been taught” that “a normal-looking woman” (i.e., Patterson) The Independent extracted the “is dirty, or dangerous, or, heaven following to highlight the article’s forbid, dripping with menstrual blood”. content: The next week, the Independent carried “When I moved to Stamford Hill, I another article by Patterson, concerning didn’t realise that goyim were about as the reaction to her piece66. It was trailed welcome in the Hasidic Jewish shops as on the front page of the newspaper as: Martin Luther King at a Ku Klux Klan convention.” “Christina Patterson: I’ve been called a bitch, a racist and an anti-Semite”. 64 http://www. The word ‘goyim’ is a Yiddish term that independent.co.uk/ opinion/commentators translates as ‘nations’ and refers to The article itself put these reactions /christina- non-Jews. It is often wrongly believed into a wider context, explaining: “...of patterson/christina- to translate as ‘cattle’ and is used to the literally hundreds of emails I’ve patterson-the-limits- allege that Jews hold non-Jews in received, only about a dozen have been of-multiculturalism- contempt. Patterson utilised “goyim” in negative”. It then explained why she 2036861.html juxtaposition with scornful references to had written the previous article, but 65 http://www.thejc.com Jews supposedly behaving as if they included sections that gave cause for /blogpost/the-limits- were “chosen by God”: further concern. One sentence could be multi-culturalism taken to imply that Stamford Hill’s Jews “I didn’t realise that a purchase by a may turn violent against others 66 http://www. goy was a crime to be punished with (despite that community’s past and independent.co.uk/ monosyllabic terseness, or that bus current behaviour and morality): opinion/commentators /christina- seats were a potential source of patterson/christina- contamination, or that road signs, and patterson-we-need-to- parking restrictions, were for people talk-about-integration- who hadn’t been chosen by God.” 2042312.html

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 43 “Where it [multiculturalism] doesn’t work is…in these cultures that people learn to be suspicious of everything that’s different. And it isn’t a long journey from suspicion to hate to attack.”

Patterson’s closing sentence could be taken to imply that those who complained about her previous article are not as British as she is:

“You can call me what you like. But don’t let’s call the Brits a bunch of cowards.”

On 5 August, the Independent published three letters about the articles. These included the following allegations67:

“…the evidence from these two articles can lead to no other conclusion than that Ms Patterson is anti-semitic and islamophobic…”

“…I am seriously concerned that her irrationality arises from an unexamined prejudice against orthodox Jews.”

“…her stigmatisation of entire cultural niches, based on the activities of the few, goes well beyond bad manners…you have demonstrated the tyranny of liberalism for all to see.”

67 http://www. independent.co.uk/ opinion/letters/letters- perspectives-on- pakistan-and-taliban- 2043381.html

44 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 Antisemitism in UK-Saudi school texts

BBC’s Panorama revealed the use of Saudi Arabian antisemitic text books within a network of over 40 British Saudi-linked part-time educational establishments, attended by approximately 5,000 Muslim children68.

This included schoolchildren being asked to list the “reprehensible qualities” of Jews and statements that Jews are “cursed by G-d” and resemble “monkeys and pigs”. Fifteen-year-olds were taught:

“Zionists want to establish world domination for Jews by inciting world conflict.”

Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove condemned the teachings and stated that Ofsted school inspectors would report upon such schools in future.

68 “British schools, Islamic rules”. Panorama, BBC TV, 22 November 2010.

CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 45 Prosecution for online comments in the Scotsman blog In recent years, CST and other Jewish activities – and a fine is out of the organisations have repeatedly voiced question given what you have done." concern about hateful readers’ comments in the comments chain The case had been instigated by sections of mainstream media blogs. SCOJEC (the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities) in March 2008, when An important and potentially the offending comments had appeared. precedent-setting legal case ended SCOJEC brought comments in both in November 201069 with the conviction the Glasgow Herald and the Scotsman in Scotland of Mohammed Sandia for to the attention of both the Police and antisemitic remarks in the comments the Press Complaints Commission. chain of an article on the website of the respected Scotsman newspaper. The commission declined involvement on the grounds that the comments The case also demonstrated political had not involved editorial discretion. and judicial backing for the local SCOJEC wrote to all Members of the Scottish Jewish community’s concerns. Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and received supportive replies from over The offending remarks had included: half of them; and many MSP’s wrote directly to the editors of the Herald and "[Jews are a] genetically mutated Scotsman in protest at the comments inbred tribe. Jews are not fit to breathe having appeared. Furthermore, our air and should be attacked Scotland’s first minister and lord wherever you see them; throw rocks at advocate “both wrote to editors to their ugly, hook-nosed women and remind them of their responsibility mentally ill children, and light up the to monitor their websites.” REAL ovens.” The investigation and prosecution of Sandia’s defence lawyer described him the case is also worthy of note, as70: as “a man with a great interest in world affairs and politics, and an ardent “Sandia was charged with publishing his supporter of the Palestinian cause, comments at the newspaper's address as many people are today”. Sandia in Edinburgh, despite the fact that he admitted breaching the 1986 Public posted his comments from London and Order Act but denied any intention the offence they caused was reported to incite antisemitic violence. This in Glasgow”. was rejected by Sheriff Gordon Liddell, who asked how Sandia’s words “could be suggestive of anything other than violence...” Sheriff Liddell deferred 69 http://www.scojec. sentence for 12 months, saying: org/news/2010/10xi _sandia.html "You clearly have hate in your heart

70 http://www.scojec. and I pity you for that. I'm concerned org/news/2010/10xi to protect the public from your _sandia.html

46 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 "These filthy Goyim-hating Kikes steal another peoples' land, and then beat the complainers into submission.

“They have cut off life-giving river water, poisoned their wells, shot their women and children randomly in the street, bulldozed their olive farms, bulldozed every house raided, expanded settlements, shut the highways, turned off the electric power, built a wall so no one can go to work, and zionist scum have even skinned Palestinians ALIVE.

“And, of course, they have fired rockets into Gaza the same as they complain the Palestinians do to them.

“It is high time the entire world stand up against this genetically mutated, inbred Tribe and end their reign of Goyim-terror once and for all.

“Jews are not fit to breathe our air. They must be attacked wherever you see them; throw rocks at their ugly, hooked-nosed women and mentally ill children, and light up the REAL ovens."

This comment was posted on the blog section of the Scotsman newspaper and led to an unprecedented legal case against the sender, Mohammed Sandia. Literary achievements

The year 2010 saw the publication of two important and critically acclaimed books dealing with the subject of antisemitism.

Trials of the Diaspora, by Anthony Julius71, is a detailed and lengthy study of the history of English antisemitism from medieval times to the modern day. (Part of its content is on p11 of this report, under the title ‘English Antisemitisms’.)

The Finkler Question, by Howard Jacobson72, was awarded the 2010 Man Booker literary prize. It is a darkly comic tale that includes much discussion of the nature of Jewishness, antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. The “final sections” have been described as:

“...a series of fairly transparent author’s messages warning about the uncomfortably close links between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, and savaging the glib parallels drawn by Israel’s critics between the Holocaust and the events in Gaza73.”

71 Anthony Julius. Trials of the Diaspora. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010.

72 Howard Jacobson. The Finkler Question. Bloomsbury, 2010.

73 http://www.telegraph. co.uk/culture/books/ bookreviews/7916464 /The-Finkler-Question- by-Howard-Jacobson- review.html

48 / CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 CST Antisemitic Discourse Report 2010 / 49 This graphic shows a typical page of CST's blog. The blog is regularly updated and is a valuable resource for those seeking news, commentary and analysis of contemporary antisemitism and related issues. It may be accessed via CST's website www.thecst.org.uk, or directly at http://thecst.org.uk/blog Other CST publications CST reports

CST publications

Books

These publications and more are available on www.thecst.org.uk For hard copies, please contact the CST office.