British Left Adopts Antisemitic Tropes Historically Linked to Far Right

In the week Andy Burnham assumed office as UK Prime Minister, the Antisemitism Research Center (ARC) of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) recorded 34 antisemitic incidents in London alone, averaging nearly five per day. Many incidents were connected to a large London protest organized by a coalition opposing Israel, held a day after Burnham's appointment last month. The protesters criticized former Labour leader Keir Starmer's handling of the Gaza conflict and demanded the UK adopt a hostile stance toward Israel, including a full arms embargo.

The ARC documented that the protest not only highlighted ongoing antisemitism in Britain but also showed an increasing adoption by the British left of classic antisemitic motifs historically associated with the far right. Signs claimed senior British officials, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman, were "bought" and "owned" by Israel. Other placards read "End Zionist control of Britain" and "Britain sold to the Zionists."

CAA noted a protester holding a sign stating "End the power of the Zionist lobby" used language reminiscent of Nazi propaganda, alleging "Zionism's arms reach everywhere... our governments, businesses, Hollywood, all owned by Zionists." According to the report, most of the 34 incidents between July 16 and 23 repackaged the antisemitic conspiracy theory "ZOG" (Zionist Occupied Government), which claims Western governments are secretly controlled by "Zionists," a coded term for Jews.

The term ZOG was coined in the 1970s by American neo-Nazi Eric Thompson, underscoring that this rhetoric originates from white supremacist ideology even when used in other political contexts today. The CAA warned that while such conspiracy theories are not new, their open popularity among radical left activists signals a troubling ideological convergence that should concern all committed to combating hatred, regardless of its political source.