Explanations of Antisemitism in the British Postcolonial Left

Abstract

This article argues that the current British Left ideology can cause antisemitism through its values. The key purpose of this article is to identify why a modern liberal political ideology such as the British Left is infected with antisemitism. The British Left emphasizes postcolonialism, human rights, and liberalism. Though these values are important, they can lead to the intensification of antisemitism. Three key explanations of postcolonial antisemitism and anti-Zionism will be presented. First, antisemitism can be circumstantial in the leftist movement. Second, it can be philosophically reasonable. Third, it can even be simply racist. This argument will be examined by a qualitative narrative analysis of British history and culture of antisemitism, leftist antisemitism, and anti-Zionism, accompanied by the explanations and excuses for it. Keywords: Antisemitism, British, human rights, new antisemitism, left, postcolonialism