The name Jeremy Corbyn, once synonymous with the British Labour Party, has increasingly become a byword for the insidious rise of antizionist rhetoric within mainstream political discourse. His recent questioning by British police over his participation in an anti-Israel march—an event marked by arrests, violence, and the propagation of slogans that echo the darkest chapters of anti-Jewish hatred—is a grim testament to the rot he has helped cultivate. Corbyn’s long history of associations, statements, and actions betrays a pattern of behaviour that normalises, if not outright emboldens, a strain of antizionism that often slides seamlessly into antisemitism.
Let us not mince words: antizionism, as wielded by Corbyn and his ilk, is not merely a critique of Israeli policies. It is a vehicle for delegitimising the Jewish people's right to self-determination, a right universally enshrined for all other peoples. Corbyn’s participation in this march, rife with chants such as “From the river to the sea”—a thinly veiled call for the destruction of Israel—lays bare his alignment with those who reject Israel’s very existence. This is not the language of peace or justice; it is the rhetoric of erasure and annihilation.
The march in question was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), a group that positions itself as a champion of human rights but has long been criticised for providing a platform to extremist rhetoric. While the PSC claims to advocate for Palestinian self-determination, its activities often blur the line between legitimate activism and open hostility towards the Jewish state. The presence of slogans such as “From the river to the sea,” which unequivocally calls for the elimination of Israel, is emblematic of the group’s willingness to embrace and promote the most extreme elements of the antizionist movement. Events organised by the PSC frequently attract individuals and groups who seek not coexistence but confrontation, fostering an atmosphere where antisemitism flourishes under the guise of solidarity.
The chant “From the river to the sea” has become emblematic of the anti-Zionist movement in the UK and elsewhere, encapsulating the rejection of Israel as a Jewish state. On the surface, the phrase appears deceptively neutral, referencing the geographical span of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. However, its true implications are far from benign. For those who understand the historical and political context, the slogan signifies a vision of a region where Israel is eradicated and replaced with a Palestinian state, leaving no room for Jewish sovereignty. This call for a one-state solution is not a roadmap for peace but a declaration of intent to dismantle the only Jewish state in the world.
The phrase muddies the waters by disguising its extremism in seemingly geographic or political terms. It allows proponents to claim they are advocating for justice or equality, while the practical outcome of their rhetoric is the elimination of a nation and the displacement of millions of Jews. It conflates legitimate criticism of Israeli policy with a broader agenda that denies the Jewish people's right to a homeland. Such language fuels division, radicalises public discourse, and often leads to antisemitic incidents, as those who chant it frequently target Jewish communities rather than distinguishing between Israeli policies and Jewish identity.
Corbyn’s defenders often retreat behind the shield of free speech, framing his actions as legitimate political expression. But when that expression lends credibility to movements that openly advocate for violence, one must ask: at what point does rhetoric become complicity? The march in question, which saw 77 arrests and nine charges, was not a peaceful exercise in democratic dissent. It was a carnival of hatred, where incendiary slogans and acts of intimidation targeted Jews under the guise of anti-Israel sentiment. Corbyn’s presence there—a man who once led one of the great political parties of Britain—imbues such gatherings with a veneer of respectability they do not deserve.
The damage wrought by Corbyn’s antizionist rhetoric is not confined to marches or protests. It has seeped into the public consciousness, normalising conspiracy theories and fostering an environment where British Jews increasingly feel unsafe. Under Corbyn’s leadership, Labour became a party where antisemitism festered openly, where complaints were ignored or buried, and where Jewish members were hounded out. His tenure marked a low point in British politics, a moment when the oldest hatred was allowed to rear its head under the guise of progressive politics.
Corbyn’s defenders often argue that criticism of Israel is not antisemitic. True enough. But when that criticism morphs into the delegitimisation of Jewish statehood, when it draws on tropes of Jewish power and control, and when it ignores or excuses violence against Jews—as it so often does in Corbyn’s discourse—the line has long been crossed. Anti-Zionism, in its most virulent forms, is simply antisemitism repackaged for a modern audience. It cloaks itself in the language of human rights while systematically denying the Jewish people their most fundamental right: the right to exist in peace and security in their historic homeland.
The diseased influence of Corbyn’s rhetoric extends beyond the Jewish community. It corrodes public debate, polarises society, and emboldens the worst elements on both the far-left and far-right. The march he attended was not a platform for dialogue or reconciliation; it was a rallying point for those who reject coexistence in favour of confrontation. By aligning himself with such movements, Corbyn reveals not just his bias but his willingness to undermine the very principles of equality and justice he claims to uphold.
Jeremy Corbyn’s legacy is a cautionary tale of how a once-principled figure can become a vessel for the ugliest currents of public life. His actions have emboldened extremists, marginalised moderates, and left a stain on British politics that will take years to erase. The fight against antizionism is not merely a defence of Israel; it is a defence of truth, decency, and the fundamental principles of equality and human dignity. Corbyn has chosen his side, and it is one that history will judge harshly.
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