Calling Jews 'Nazis' may be criminalised

Parliament will be asked to consider whether the use of Nazi symbols and terms in reference to Jews, Israel and Zionism is breaking the law on incitement to racial hatred.

A new report by the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (EISCA) has highlighted the increasing use of what it terms the “Nazi card” in antisemitic discourse and has called for a number of measures to try to combat its spread.

“Playing the Nazi card” has been defined in the report as the use of Nazi-related terms or symbols — for example intertwining the swastika with the Star of David — while negatively referring to Jews, Israel, Zionism or other aspects of what it calls the Jewish experience.

The report, which was jointly published by EISCA and the Department for Communities and Local Government, recommends that the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police officers (ACPO) and the Crown Prosecution Service should prepare new guidance for the police on whether this kind of terminology amounts to incitement.

The report says that universities and adult education colleges should be surveyed to establish how they deal with antisemitic discourse.

It also suggests that the University and College Union and the National Union of Journalists use the EU Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia’s definition of antisemitism to improve their harassment policies.

Cohesion Minister Shahid Malik, who launched the report on Tuesday alongside EISCA chairman Denis MacShane MP, said: “It is vital to reiterate the significance which my government places on tackling this scourge which has blighted our world for centuries.

“Where antisemitic discourse flourishes unchecked, an atmosphere develops where Jews and other minorities — for it is certain that other minorities will also be targeted — feel isolated and vulnerable. Antisemitic discourse is not targeted at an identifiable victim but at Jews as a group. The tone in which issues affecting Jewish people are raised or addressed by politicians, the media, educators or the business world, affects the way in which Jewish people are perceived by the wider public.”

After the launch, Mr Malik said that the report’s proposals would be overseen by the cross-government working group set up as a result of the 2006 All-Party Parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism.

Also on Tuesday, the Community Security Trust published its second report on antisemitic discourse.

Author Mark Gardner, the CST’s communications director, said that while antisemitic discourse openly targeting Jews was “extremely rare” in mainstream British politics and media, “nevertheless, antisemitism is an important matter that must be better understood and challenged before it worsens any further”.

Contemporary antisemitic discourse, he argued, “is most often revealed in language and imagery that evokes the central antisemitic allegation of a powerful and hidden Jewish conspiracy against all non-Jews”.

As the British National Party’s first two MEPs took their seats in the European Parliament this week, the Centre for Social Cohesion published a report into the party’s online network, claiming that BNP members and self-professed BNP supporters continue to host, and link to online, material that is pro-Nazi, racist, antisemitic and homophobic.

Jewish Chronicle

Standing up to fascism

The Spiro Ark, Jewish Cultural
and Educational Trust, presents

Standing up to fascism

A celebration of the 43 Group, who fought fascism
in postwar Britain, and those who fight fascism today

The 43 Group consisted of Jewish ex-servicemen and women who stood shoulder to shoulder with non-Jews to halt Oswald Mosley’s attempt to revitalise a fascist movement in postwar Britain.

Between 1946 and 1952 they combined intelligence gathering and street fighting to drive Mosley’s thugs from our streets. In 1948 many supporters of the 43 Group volunteered for MAHAL.

A decade later old 43 Group members and a younger generation formed a new group that fought fascism using similar tactics. The 1962 Committee, better known as the 62 Group, carried on an intelligence-led battle against the remnants of Mosley’s Union Movement, the original British National Party, Colin Jordan’s National Socialist Movement and the emerging National Front.

The internationally famous Searchlight magazine and its campaigning, research and educational arms arose out of this struggle.

And today’s Jewish Community Security Trust grew from these roots, learning from those who had led in earlier years.

Today the largest ever anti-fascist campaign in Britain, HOPE not hate, works together with many of these veterans to defeat the British National Party and defend democracy.

You can meet the veterans of the 43 and 62 Groups and MAHAL, and today’s activists at an evening event on Sunday 15 February. The programme includes short talks, a film about the 43 Group narrated by the late Harold Pinter, an exhibition of unique material, a bookstall with most items free and refreshments.

Bring your family and especially the next generation to an event that will help them hold up their heads in today’s troubled times.

Sunday 15 February 2009, at 6.30 for 7pm
At Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue,
Norrice Lea, London N2 0RE
Nearest Tube East Finchley
(Northern Line Barnet branch). Bus route 102.

The fight goes on

Entrance £10, concessions for senior citizens, children and students.

The Spiro Ark, 25-26 Enford Street, London W1H 1DW
Tel 020 7723 9991, email education@spiroark.org, www.spiroark.org.