For many years this newspaper was a supporter of Hope Not Hate, an organisation that had admirable aims, and welcomed its writers in our pages. But it has now lost its claim to be taken seriously. Last year it started targeting UKIP as if it was no different to the EDL or BNP. But its latest offering on supposed Islamophobes is not merely shoddy - it is dangerous. Including those who criticise aspects of Islam, or even Islamism, even when some of those critics are practicing Muslims, is libellous, ignorant and deeply counter-productive. It also effectively places them on a hit list for jihadis to target. And including the likes of Melanie Phillips on the basis that she is a vocal defender of Israel is deeply disturbing. Hope Not Hate is now, it seems, engaged itself in the politics of hatred - by smear.
Hatred not hope
Read Next
How can we mark our freedom this Pesach in a period of dread?
As a former British soldier, only visiting Israel made me understand the Gaza war
Infantry officer Andrew Fox’s analysis of the Jewish state’s military response to the Hamas terror raid was viewed over four million times on social media
As a Palestinian, I deplore what is happening at Columbia and other campuses – and what Hamas has done to us
If universities cannot instil their students with peaceful, tolerant, and coexistent attitudes, then they have failed as institutions of higher learning
Keir Starmer: This year, we celebrate Passover under a dark cloud
‘I know how painful and challenging these past few months have been’
Rishi Sunak: Forces in Britain are using Gaza for their own divisive agenda
‘I will always protect British values and the Jewish community’
Have the JC delivered to your door 
Want more from the JC?
To continue reading, we just need a few details...
Want more from
the JC?
To continue reading, we just
need a few details...
Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world
Get subscriber-only offers from our partners
Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive
©2024 The Jewish Chronicle