The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), helmed by Gideon Falter, emerged in the wake of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, driven by activists disenchanted with existing Jewish communal organizations’ responses to escalating antisemitism.
Initially galvanized by the Tricycle Theatre’s decision to cancel hosting the UK Jewish film festival due to Israeli embassy funding, CAA swiftly became a vocal advocate against antisemitism in all its forms.
Central to CAA’s rise was its vociferous opposition to Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, rallying against perceived mishandling of antisemitism complaints.
Alongside the Jewish Labour Movement, CAA lodged complaints that spurred the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s investigation, ultimately finding Labour in breach of the law.
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Beyond political activism, CAA utilizes legal avenues to combat hate speech, notably prosecuting Holocaust denier Alison Chabloz.
Despite its charitable status and cross-party collaboration, concerns linger about CAA’s political engagement, particularly regarding its relentless critique of Labour under Keir Starmer.
Dissonance with traditional Jewish communal bodies, such as the Board of Deputies and the Community Security Trust, underscores CAA’s assertive stance. While CAA maintains cooperative ties with CST, tensions persist, with some questioning the alignment of objectives.
Recent events thrust CAA into the spotlight when footage surfaced of Falter being cautioned by a police officer at a pro-Palestinian march. The encounter sparked widespread condemnation, with critics decrying perceived bias against Falter due to his Jewish identity.
While voices like government antisemitism tsar John Mann underscored concerns over CAA’s actions, CST reaffirmed faith in the Met’s ability to safeguard Jewish communities.
In leading these challenges, CAA remains at the forefront of combating antisemitism, leveraging activism and legal recourse to confront prejudice head-on. As the discourse evolves, CAA’s role in shaping the narrative around antisemitism continues to be scrutinized and debated.
