Antisemitic anti-Zionism is nothing less than the latest iteration of the oldest hatred

Sadly, however, it is not surprising. As the CST has suggested, whenever Israel is at war, there is an increase in antisemitic incidents and an acute rise is usually reported specifically in and related to educational establishments.

Nonetheless, the CST suggests, even compared to periods of previous conflicts involving Israel, the current statistics are “unprecedentedly high”.

This is grimly ironic given that the State of Israel was established to provide the Jewish people with a safe haven after centuries of persecution. Persecution which culminated in the Nazis’ attempt to annihilate the European Jewish community – and persecution which continues to this day.

Let’s be clear: antisemitic anti-Zionism is nothing less than the latest iteration of the oldest hatred.

As Professor Vernon Bogdanor has rightly argued: “Older antisemitism insisted that Jews had no place in the national community. The new antisemitism insists that Israel has no place in the international community.”

In the charges levelled against “Zionists” – that they control the media and the government; that they are disloyal, greedy and blood-thirsty; and that they are ideologically akin to and collaborated with the Nazis – we see the repetition of classic antisemitic tropes and smears.

Our country – which rightly prides itself on its tolerance and its rejection of extremism – cannot allow antisemitism to go unchecked and unchallenged.

We need swift, tough, and comprehensive action to tackle anti-Jewish racism.

First, as the shadow home secretary has rightly argued, we need an increase in policing, stronger action to tackle and monitor antisemitism and we must ensure the police have the powers they need to tackle hateful extremism.

Second, it is appalling that Jewish venues and institutions need extra levels of security and protection. But while that remains the case, it is imperative that the CST receives the funding it needs to do its vital job.

Third, what is said online rarely stays online. The hateful conspiracy theories and lies about Jews and Israel which are peddled on social media by antisemites directly contribute to racism on our streets. Social media companies must enforce their own rules against hate speech and, where crimes are committed, must cooperate with the police to ensure the guilty are punished.

Fourth, universities, the National Union of Students and student unions must do more to fight antisemitism and ensure the safety of Jewish students. At the same time, surveys indicate both shocking levels of ignorance about the Holocaust and strong public support for greater Holocaust education. The work of the Holocaust Education Trust is of paramount importance: in the war against antisemitism, HET is on the frontline of the battle for hearts and minds.

Finally, Iran is a leading purveyor of Holocaust denial, antisemitism and extremism. Its terrorist proxy armies slaughter Jews, while its ideological army, the IRGC, attempts to incite and perpetrate violence and spread disinformation globally, including in Britain. As Labour has argued, we must proscribe the IRGC and begin to turn off this pipeline of hatred.

So, let’s mark the horrors of 80 years ago with a renewed recognition of the fragility of freedom.

And let’s remember too that without security, there can be no freedom. Freedom from fear and violence is the prerequisite of any civilised society. We cannot allow Britain’s Jews to be denied this freedom.

Sharon Hodgson MP is Vice-Chair of Labour Friends of Israel