Digital Library
Antisemitism and Radical Anti-Israel Bias on the Political Left in Europe
Topic:
Antisemitism & Antizionism, Israel & Regional Politics
Principal Investigators:
ADL International Affairs
Study Date:
2023
Source:
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Key Findings:
Antisemitism, in its various forms, is a global issue that has found expression within certain segments of the political left. One manifestation of this is through anti-Zionism, rejecting the right of the Jewish people to self-determination and opposing Israel's existence as a Jewish state. Often, these movements use antisemitic stereotypes and narratives to criticize Israel and those who support it. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement is another channel that advocates for the isolation of Israel, its individuals, institutions, and supporters, across diplomatic, financial, academic, and cultural spheres.
The acceptance of Leftist antisemitism within political, social and cultural realms is troubling. Europe serves as a barometer for potential challenges faced by the U.S. Jewish community, given the rise in violent antisemitism in the U.S., paralleling long-standing issues in European Jewish communities. Additionally, anti-Zionist sentiments prevalent in U.S. progressive circles have similarities to sentiments existing in Europe.
The report draws insights from partners across the UK, France, Germany, and Spain, each providing perspectives on left-wing political antisemitism in their respective countries. These partners specialize in monitoring, reporting, educating, and combating antisemitism and related extremism.
The contributions from European partners serve as the foundational sections of the report, followed by an analysis by ADL on common themes and disparities among these countries. The final section presents ADL's viewpoint on left-wing antisemitism within U.S. political and advocacy spheres, offering suggestions to tackle this issue. The report aims to learn from the transatlantic phenomenon and prevent the normalization of such antisemitism within U.S. politics.
Methodology:
ADL’s British partner, the Community Security Trust, is the British Jewish community’s security agency, which monitors, reports on, and educates about antisemitism among other vital tasks for the safety and security of the Jewish community. ADL’s French partner, the politics and culture magazine “K., The Jews, Europe, the 21st Century,” reports on contemporary challenges and opportunities for Jewish life in France and elsewhere in Europe. ADL’s German partner, Amadeu Antonio Foundation, is one of Germany's foremost independent non-governmental organizations working to strengthen democratic civil society and eliminate extremism, antisemitism, racism and other forms of bigotry and hate. ADL’s Spanish partner, ACOM, is a non-denominational and independent organization that strengthens the relationship between Spain and Israel, and whose work is inspired by the defense of human rights, democratic societies, civil liberties and the rule of law.