A new report by the UK-based Counter Extremism Group (CEG) argues that Islamist antisemitism is a deeper ideological issue that cannot be rationalised as a reaction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The nearly 100-page document asserts that this form of antisemitism poses a growing threat to national security and is routinely underestimated by UK institutions, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The report, shaped by events surrounding the 7 October Hamas attacks, draws on interviews with six experts and practitioners. It warns against oversimplifying Islamist antisemitism as a “grievance response,” arguing instead that antisemitic ideology is embedded in radical Islamist discourse, independent of regional politics.
“There is persuasive evidence of a connection between extremism in the Muslim world and antisemitism,” the report states.
While extremists often use the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to justify hatred, the report found that it is instrumentalised as a symbol of Muslim victimhood, especially through narratives of “defensive jihad” and claims of colonial oppression by Jews. According to one interviewee,
“Poor oppressed Muslims getting killed by evil Jews” is the simplified narrative used to mobilise support.
The report highlights a “ratcheting effect”—each round of armed conflict between Israel and Hamas results in a spike in antisemitic rhetoric, which then settles at a higher baseline than before.
The CEG observed that in the UK, Islamist narratives blend theological themes of jihad with secular political language such as human rights, decolonisation, and anti-racism, allowing extremists to build coalitions with elements of the Western political Left. Interviewees noted the widespread use of “model sermons”, often sourced from organisations with Hamas ties, across mosques following 7 October.
A survey cited in the report found that only 25% of British Muslims believe Hamas committed murder and rape during the attacks, compared to over 60% of the general public. Many interviewees stressed that attacks on Israeli civilians are seen by Islamist extremists as legitimate self-defence.
A recurring concern was the institutional failure to recognise Islamist antisemitism. While admiration for Hitler is clearly identified as antisemitic, one interviewee noted that Islamist expressions of hatred toward Jews are often overlooked or misunderstood, including by police at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The report also critiques the role of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) programmes, arguing that their ideological frameworks can unintentionally validate antisemitic tropes:
“EDI ends up creating more problems when it comes to antisemitism… [It encourages the view that] Israel is the white, powerful, Western oppressor… and all Jews are part of that.”
This view, it warns, opens space for conspiratorial stereotypes about Jewish power and influence, especially when Islamists are given platforms under the guise of promoting diversity.
The report notes that British Jewish communities perceive Islamist antisemitism as a greater threat than that from the far-right, a view the CEG concludes is well-founded. It also highlights polling indicating higher levels of antisemitic attitudes among British Muslims compared to the general population.
“Antisemitic views are a much better predictor of support for extremism among British Muslims than any standard demographic variable,” the report concludes.
By focusing almost exclusively on far-right extremism, the UK risks underestimating the complex and escalating threat of Islamist antisemitism, the report warns.
Read the full report here: https://counterextremism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CEG_Daniel_Allington_-_Islamist_Antisemitism.pdf
Photo credit: REUTERS/Susannah Ireland
More News
