Blurred Red Lines: Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism in the Uk
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BLURRED RED LINES: ANTISEMITISM AND ANTI-ZIONISM IN THE UK INTRODUCTION Antisemitism is sometimes referred to as ‘the oldest hatred.’ Scholars of the subject map out and catalogue the differing forms of bigotry and discrimina- tion that have sadly played a major role in the history of Jewish communities. In the 21st Century open Antisemitism, like many other prejudices, is publicly unacceptable (in the West, at least). This is due in part to the general trend for the proscription of negative language and actions against minorities – what is commonly referred to as ‘political correctness.’ A significant factor in this has been the Holocaust, with the mass murder of 6 million Jews and others now understood to represent a warning about where rampant bigotry can lead. And yet, Antisemitism evidently did not die in the death camps. Prejudice and discrimination still occurs. France, for example, is seeing the largest Jewish community in Europe shrink at an unprecedented rate, with thousands leaving every year. In the UK, a row about perceived Antisemitism in the Labour party has resulted in front page headlines, multiple suspensions of memberships, and several internal inquiries. How are we to understand this apparent paradox, whereby Antisemitism is both socially toxic and yet apparently also flourishing? The complicating factor is, obviously, Israel. After many centuries as a vulnerable minority, Jews now have a state where they are the majority, with all the benefits and challenges that represents. After experiencing the horrors of being powerless, they now bear the responsibility of power. That there is now a Jewish state, a physical manifestation of Jewish self-determination, has undoubtedly had a significant impact on our understanding of Antisemitism. The argument over what constitutes hostility towards Jews (Antisemitism) versus what counts as hostility towards the world’s only Jewish-majority state (anti-Zionism) has been raging for many decades, indeed perhaps since the The ZF is the leading Advocacy organisation for Israel in the UK establishment of Israel in 1948. (If that argument seems particularly Find out more: www.zionist.org.uk 020 8202 0202 [email protected] combustible now, consider the fact that in 1975 no less a body than the UN @ZionistFed ZF UK passed a resolution condemning Zionism itself as racism.) Like any ideological debate, the argument is complicated by a multiplicity of SECTION ONE: NEW BOTTLE, OLD WINE viewpoints. In addition, there is the problem that those involved are likely to dismiss those holding differing views as acting in bad faith. On one hand, In this first section, we look at how criticism of Israel can, unwittingly or other- there are those who believe that hatred of Jews is being disguised as wise, reproduce classic Antisemitic ideas and concepts. These predate the legitimate criticism of a country. On the other, there are those who claim that creation of the state of Israel; nonetheless, they now re-appear wrapped in legitimate criticism of a country is being portrayed as hatred of Jews. That this the guise of condemning a country, rather than a people. This is a distinction debate is injected with a particularly significant degree of vitriol is therefore largely without a difference, and is likely to fuel further hatred against Jews. due to the fact that it clearly has real-life ramifications. Antisemitism, like any other prejudice, has a history. In the same way that The ‘blurred red lines’ of our title refer to two distinct phenomena. One is Antisemitism didn’t end with The Holocaust, so too the Holocaust was not the that there are boundaries between what might be considered fair political start of Antisemitism. To reach a stage whereby it was acceptable to mass comment and hate speech – red lines that shouldn’t be crossed. But the murder millions of men, women and children required not only concrete second is that they are blurred and not always obvious. We recognise that physical conditions (means) but also a society conditioned to either support or people can unwittingly cross those lines, especially if they are unaware of not opposite it (motive). them, and that the key to tackling this issue is open dialogue, education, and a willingness to accept political differences. While Antisemitism has manifested in different ways in different situations, core ideas and concepts have appeared and reappeared, invariably with a The report breaks down contemporary Antisemitism into discrete (although negative impact on the local Jewish community. While it is beyond the scope not necessarily distinct) categories. All relate in some fashion to the presence of this short report to provide a comprehensive catalogue, certain key ideas and actions of Israel. In its totality, this to us represents the most significant, are understood to make up what might be termed ‘classic’ Antisemitism. acceptable, and dangerous form of Antisemitism – the elephant in the room Many of these crop up in contemporary anti-Israel discourse. when addressing the topic. There are two classic forms of Antisemitism. The first, stereotyping, is not The three sections look at: how hostility to Israel can contain ‘classic’ dissimilar to other forms of prejudice– i.e. there are a core set of distinguish- Antisemitism; how hostility to Israel has created new forms of Antisemitism; ing characteristics that are assigned to an individual, based not on their and how hostility to Israel has encouraged Antisemitism to spread. actual behaviour or personality, but on predetermined beliefs about the group that individual belongs to. These are largely (although not exclusively) This report will not attempt to provide any definitive answer to the negative beliefs that impact on how that individual is perceived and treated. “Antisemitism/anti-Zionism” debate, since no empirical answer is possible Examples of supporting evidence for these claims are trumpeted, contradictory when it comes to subjective perceptions of essentially contested ideas and evidence ignored, and wider social causes for why individuals might display concepts. As explicit supporters of Israel and Zionism, our contribution would these negative characteristics dismissed. [See Example Box 1] most likely be dismissed out of hand by those opposed to the existence of both. Example Box 1: In America, there is widely noted problem with anti-black racism against those of African heritage. The most overt examples of explicit racism (slavery, segregated schools, absent We would however argue that we have a right to have our voice heard; and voting rights) are gone. But many would argue that common stereotypes, especially subconscious that the dismissal of the voices of Jews has played a part in allowing Antisem- ones, are still in effect. Black people are more likely to be perceived as violent and inclined to- wards crime. Overt racists will obsess about black individuals who are violent criminals, ignoring itism to once again rear its ugly, unacceptable head in the UK and elsewhere. both white criminals and black non-criminals. Social factors that make it more likely that black individuals will become criminals (poverty and lack of opportunity) or be criminalised (racism within police forces) will not be tackled. But negative stereotypes can also be unconsciously prop- agated in the media (black people are more likely to be highlighted as ‘looters’ during natural disasters) by people who do not regard themselves as racist, thereby perpetuating these harmful stereotypes to society at large and shaping the views of others – even those opposed to racism. In the case of Jews, a Jewish individual is likely to be regarded by an to control society for their own benefit. Historically, communities would antisemite as inherently untrustworthy, greedy, and morally lax. Jews are sometimes use Jews as a convenient scapegoat by allowing them to take the different to the rest of society, even as they attempt to blend in. A Jew is more brunt of public anger. For example, those unhappy about their working likely than others to be concerned about himself, and cares more about their conditions might be encouraged to take action against rich Jews who fellow Jews than others. Jews have secretive, furtive practices that they shield allegedly controlled the banks and kept them in poverty. Pogroms against from others. Racists invariably obsess over physical characteristics to ‘prove’ Jews in East Europe were frequently triggered in this fashion. the differences between different groups of people; Jews are distinguished by their large, hooked noses in this case. The most widely cited example of this antisemitic notion are ‘the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion,’ a forgery that purports to document a meeting The second form of classic antisemitism is that of conspiracy theories, where several powerful Jews discussed how they would control the world. The primarily that a group of Jews secretly controls the world. Again, this is not a tropes about how Jews supposedly control politicians, banking, the media etc way of thinking that is unique to the case of Jews. Conspiracy theories about are all present here, and, sadly, still believed in antisemitic circles today. a small group of rich, powerful elites are increasingly prevalent, especially on the internet. For example, the Illuminati, the Bilderberg Group, and even a One does not have to look far to see this idea replicated in contemporary race of humanoid lizards are all the subject of similar beliefs. The difference, Britain, particularly when it comes to foreign policy discussions. Why do of course, is that Jews are much more visible in public life than humanoid politicians support Israel? Why doesn’t the lizards, and therefore much easier to target. media report the full extent of Israel’s crimes? Some variant on the idea of Jewish control The starting point for this discussion is the understanding that this set of is often not far away.