Britain can no longer tolerate the anti-Semitic IRGC
Since October 7, the unthinkable has become reality. Anti-Semitism, already a shadow over Jewish communities, has escalated into something even more sinister. Hamas’s massacre of over 1,200 Israelis in a single day of unfathomable brutality has been compounded by a surge of riots, threats, and open calls for Jewish blood.
Each chant of “From the River to the Sea,” each synagogue targeted, and each veiled justification for hate cloaked in the language of justice delivers the same chilling message: this is not just about Israel; it is about Jews everywhere.
In the UK, Jewish schools and synagogues now require constant security, and at times police, protection. Families hesitate to wear visibly Jewish symbols or enter certain areas. The fear is palpable. Many Jews no longer feel safe. And yet, where is the political resolve to protect them? Where is the leadership to ensure that no minority community lives in fear in Britain in 2024?
The Iranian regime, through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), plays a critical role in fuelling this hatred. The IRGC is not only a driver of global terrorism but also a key architect of anti-Semitism. Two years ago, Britain’s security minister confirmed that the Iranian regime had compiled a list of prominent Jewish people in the UK to target in the event of a war with Israel. This was not idle rhetoric; it was a direct threat to British Jews.
The consequences of inaction are clear. Just this weekend in the UAE, the murder of a rabbi allegedly linked to Iranian operatives exposed the IRGC’s reach and intent. Such threats are not confined to the Middle East. The IRGC’s influence extends to Europe, where it has plotted attacks against Jewish targets, including in London.
And yet, despite these undeniable risks, the UK has yet to fully proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. This omission is indefensible. It sends a dangerous message: that those who incite violence and hatred against Jews can operate with impunity.
Political leadership must rise to meet this moment. Proscribing the IRGC is not just a matter of standing with Israel; it is about protecting Jewish citizens in Britain and safeguarding our democracy from those who seek to undermine it. The chants on our streets, the threats to Jewish synagogues, shops, and schools, and the brazen acts of anti-Semitism are not
happening in isolation.
They are emboldened by the IRGC’s propaganda and resources. This moment feels deeply personal for me. Just over a month ago, my great-grandmother, Lily Ebert, passed away at the age of 100. A survivor of Auschwitz, she devoted her life to teaching the dangers of hatred and the importance of standing up to it.
Her message was simple: hatred starts with words, and if left unchecked, it grows into violence. But her message was also about something greater. She understood that anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish issue; it is a warning sign for society. First, they come for the Jews, but history is clear: if unchecked, the whole of the West is next. Anti-Semitism is to democracy what a canary is to a coal mine – a forewarning of what’s to come.
The resurgence of anti-Semitism in Britain – and the failure to address it – feels like a betrayal of that lesson. It is a betrayal of the promise made after the Holocaust: “Never Again.”
Words are not enough. The UK government must act decisively. Fully proscribing the IRGC would send a clear signal that we will not tolerate the spread of hatred and violence, whether it comes from individuals or state-backed organisations.
The IRGC represents a clear and present danger. Proscribing it is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a necessary step to protect Jewish communities and uphold the values of tolerance and democracy that define our society. The canary in the coal mine is singing. The question is: where is it safe to be a Jew? The answer depends on whether we listen – or once again, allow history to repeat itself.