Gable was a central figure in the UK's anti-fascist movement from the 1960s onwards, working on investigating, documenting and reporting on far-right groups
January 5, 2026 13:22
Jewish anti-fascist activist and journalist Gerry Gable has died at the age of 88 after a long period of ill health.
Gable, who was born in London in 1937 to a Jewish mother and Anglican father, is widely recognised as a central figure in the UK's anti-fascist movement from the 1960s onwards, working on investigating, documenting and reporting on far-right groups in the country at that time.
Originally part of the Young Communist League and then the Communist Party, he ultimately left in the 1960s due to the party’s anti-Israel stance, saying: “[I have] first and foremost always been a Jewish trade unionist.”
Gable’s reporting project eventually manifested as the political magazine Searchlight, which he founded in 1975 with Labour politicians Reg Freeson and Joan Lestor, as well as fellow Jewish activist Maurice Ludmer, and which is still published today under the same ethos.
Sometimes controversial figure for his methods in pursuit of a story, Gable hit headlines in 1963 when he broke into writer David Irving's house as part of his work reporting on Holocaust denial - for which he received a fine.
On the news of his passing, Searchlight said: "It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that Searchlight’s founder, Gerry Gable, has died at the age of 88. He had been in frail health for some time, but a recent hospital admission proved too much and he died peacefully last night.
"Gerry was one of the most important figures in post war anti-fascism, not just in this country but also internationally."
Others have echoed Searchlight's tribute, including Nick Lowles, the CEO of anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, who said: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Gerry Gable, founder and long-time editor of Searchlight.
"Our condolences to Sonia and the Gable family and to everyone at Searchlight."
The Community Security Trust added: "CST is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Gerry Gable (1937–2026) - a towering figure in the fight against fascism, racism and the far right in Britain. May his memory be a blessing."
And the Board of Deputies also paid its respects, saying: "It is indeed sad to hear of the death of Gerry Gable, a stalwart campaigner against fascism and the far right."
He is survived by his wife, Sonia.
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