As the right moves in on antisemitism, where does that leave the Jewish left?

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, the co-leader of Progressive Judaism , admitted she felt apprehensive before speaking at last weekend’s central London rally against antisemitism. As she addressed the crowd, there were some boos. It wasn’t the first time – last year, on a similar stage outside Downing Street, Baginsky and her fellow co-lead, Rabbi Josh Levy, were jeered off stage. While even some who disagreed understood the booing of the government minister Pat McFadden as the product of a view that Labour had not done enough to take on antisemitism, some of the same attenders were dismayed by the same treatment for the Liberal Democrats’ Ed Davey before the event’s MC intervened. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, was warmly received by parts of the crowd, as was the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch. The moment was a reflection of how some liberal and leftwing British Jews are feeling isolated as figures on the right seize the initiative in condemning antisemitism and robustly defending Israel. For some, antisemitism can only be confronted through broad alliances with other minority communities and anti-racist movements. But others increasingly view parts of those same spaces with suspicion, arguing hostility towards Jews has been minimised or tolerated within them. Rabbi Charley Baginsky speaking at the rally against antisemitism. …