Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, this week discussed “the way in which anti-Zionism has mutated”, suggesting that “anti-Zionism has become the new antisemitism”.
Speaking at a Westminster reception for new anti-extremist organisation Mainstream UK, Mr Gove said: “In the past you could be Jewish in the ghetto, or you could be Jewish but had to suffer disability under the law”. However, “more recently, antisemitism has taken a new form. This new form is to say that expression of Jewish identity… either has to be removed or Israel to survive on terms set by others”.
The Cabinet Minister noted that: “‘Zionist’ has come to be used as a term of abuse”.
Mr Gove also condemned right-wing antisemitism and racism, stating that there must be “vigilance against the new identity politics of the far-right which talks about rights for whites”.
He said: “In the same way as some choose to stigmatise and vilify the Jewish community, there are others who are equally willing to use stereotypes to vilify other people who are British, who are our friends and neighbors”.
Mr Gove emphasised: “What we must do when confronted with hatred and prejudice is stand four-square against it” and “put whatever political boundaries we have to one side”.
