1st Edition
Responses to 7 October: Antisemitic Discourse
One of three volumes responding to the 7 October attack, Antisemitic Discourse focuses on the ideology that motivated it and the antisemitism that shaped many responses to it.
It examines the provenance of the Jew-hatred, from English history to Palestinian Islamism; from toxic 19th century ‘Jewish Question’ rhetoric to the perversion of the Trotskyist tradition that allowed parts of the left to embrace antisemitism. It includes Howard Jacobson’s lecture of 22 October on antisemitism and it focuses on what was significant about this attack. There is discussion from Britain, Germany, Poland, and Norway, and a linguistic account of responses.
This work will appeal to scholars, students and activists with an interest in antisemitism, Jewish studies and the politics of Israel.
Introduction
Rosa Freedman and David Hirsh
Editor’s Note
1. What has changed?
Anthony Julius
2. 7 October and the precariousness of being Jewish
David Hirsh
3. Introduction to Howard Jacobson’s chapter
David Hirsh
The text of Howard Jacobson's LCSCA Robert Fine Memorial Lecture, 22 October 2023
Howard Jacobson
4. The Ideology of Mass Murder
Jeffrey Herf
5. Echoes of the Past: Understanding Today's Antisemitism Through a Medieval Lens
Flora Cassen
6. Where are Jews at home?
Robin Douglas
7. Disenchanting Palestine: Moralism and Hyperpolitics in the aftermath of October 7
Matthew Bolton
8. ‘Little Short of Lunatics’: Post-Trotsky Trotskyism and the radical Left’s degenerate response to 7 October
Alan Johnson
9. October Reflections: Antisemitism, Antizionism and the Jewish Question
David Seymour
10. The German Press, Israel, and October 7, 2023: Initial research findings on reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Jonas Hessenauer and Lukas Uwira
11. The King’s “No”: Anti-Israelism and antisemitism in Norway after the 7 October massacre
Torkel Brekke
12. A View from the “Second World”: Holocaust and Colonialism in Contemporary Contexts of Eastern Europe
Anna Zawadzka
13. ‘It’s all about context’: Antisemitism in the discursive space post 7 October
Yaron Matras
Biography
Rosa Freedman is Professor of Law at the University of Reading and Research Fellow at the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, UK.
David Hirsh is the Academic Director and CEO of the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.
‘I was brought up believing it’s a good thing Israel exists, to stop those who would push all Jews into the sea. Anti-Israel hysteria made me re-examine whether subconscious bias had left me blind to its evil. Facts, context and history tell me no, and such confident yet malicious accusations raise alarm bells. Anthologising this phenomena is vital work.’
Rachel Riley MBE, TV presenter, activist against antisemitism and advocate for women and girls in STEM
‘Essential and compelling reading on the 7 October attacks by a distinguished array of historians, lawyers, feminists, novelists and sociologists, who debate the significance of the Hamas kill-raid against Israel and analyse the denial, glorification and trivialisation that followed.’
Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian, author of Jerusalem: the biography
‘Absolutely and heartbreakingly necessary: some of the greatest thinkers of our day addressing the worst Jewish trauma in most people's living memory.’
Hadley Freeman, journalist
‘We were promised “Never Again.” As shocking as was the pogrom of October 7, 2023, no less distressing is how the public square and academy resonated with the cacophony of sympathizers. These essential volumes of reflections and analyses will long stand as a landmark in understanding this contemporary outrage.’
Ilan Troen, Professor Emeritus of Israel Studies at Brandeis University and Modern History at Ben-Gurion University, and Founding Editor of Israel Studies
‘Following the horrifying blow of the atrocities of October 7th came the additional shock that virulent antisemitism had actually intensified in its aftermath. In this upside down moral universe feeling has sometimes overwhelmed reflection. But this magnificent collection of essays, at once deeply felt and sharply thought, is an anchorage for the intellect to confront the poisoned madness of this moment. It ought to be compulsory reading.’
Simon Schama, historian
