Toxic rhetoric that fuels anti-Semitism

ANTI-SEMITISM, the diplomat and writer Conor Cruise O’Brien once pointed out, is a light sleeper.

Since the October 7 atrocities, this ancient hatred has woken with a start.

The Gaza conflict has been used by bigots – many in prominent positions – as a political smokescreen to unleash a torrent of wickedness against British Jews.

It is appalling that within the lifetime of some holocaust survivors we are witnessing a surge in anti-Semitic attacks in our own country. This is laid bare in a devastating report by the Community Security Trust. With 4,103 anti-Semitic incidents, last year was the worst on record by far.

Violent assaults on Jews doubled to 266. Synagogues were vandalised, schools were daubed with swastikas.

Disturbing events this week illustrate why the Jewish community, which has had such a positive influence on politics, culture and business in the UK, is stalked by fear.

Three pro-Palestine protesters were convicted of terror offences – displaying pictures that celebrated hamas’s use of paragliders – yet walked free from court.

A comedian was banned from a Soho theatre for apparently inciting the audience to hound Jews from the venue.

And Azhar Ali, Labour’s by- election candidate in Rochdale, was caught peddling revolting conspiracy theories.

Despite such disgraceful racism, Sir Keir Starmer battled hard to keep him. Only after a public outcry did Labour’s leader finally withdraw his support. By refusing to cut Mr Ali loose immediately, Sir Keir has made himself look weak and hypocritical.

he has also sent out the message that Labour is prepared to tolerate anti-Semites in its ranks if they are politically useful.

One consequence of such expediency is that it can potentially give cover to cranks and bigots who hate Jewish people.

So, too, has the police’s feeble handling of inflammatory pro-Palestinian demos.

Turning a blind eye to anti- Semitic rhetoric has real-world consequences. It can legitimise loathing and encourage ridicule, intimidation and violence.

We saw this at its worst in Nazi Germany, when millions died as good people stood by – a haunting lesson in how easily wickedness can flourish if it is given licence.

That this should be happening in Britain, for centuries a bastion of liberal democracy and the rule of law, is truly shaming.