Brendan McGeever
@brendanmcgeever.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism
Author: 'Antisemitism & the Russian Revolution' (CUP 2019) and 'Britain in Fragments' with Satnam Virdee (MUP 2023)
2024-25 Cornell Visiting Professor, Swarthmore College
Author: 'Antisemitism & the Russian Revolution' (CUP 2019) and 'Britain in Fragments' with Satnam Virdee (MUP 2023)
2024-25 Cornell Visiting Professor, Swarthmore College
“Racism arises in different ways for different groups, but it’s abhorrent in all cases for the same reasons. Once we see this, we can see that our efforts to combat antisemitism should be allied to 360-degree anti-racism”
This is such a great interview with @dmf101.bsky.social in the Guardian.
This is such a great interview with @dmf101.bsky.social in the Guardian.
Tuesday briefing: Why efforts to tackle Britain’s long history of antisemitism have fallen short
In today’s newsletter: A scholar of antisemitism on how we define it, how it has operated in Britain, and what can be done
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:27 AM
“Racism arises in different ways for different groups, but it’s abhorrent in all cases for the same reasons. Once we see this, we can see that our efforts to combat antisemitism should be allied to 360-degree anti-racism”
This is such a great interview with @dmf101.bsky.social in the Guardian.
This is such a great interview with @dmf101.bsky.social in the Guardian.
Reposted by Brendan McGeever
BISA has received a major grant of USD$650,000 from Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social to support its work. Director David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social is joined by Brendanmcgeever.bsky.social as Co-Director. Full story www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism receives further funding boost
www.bbk.ac.uk
January 15, 2026 at 11:28 AM
BISA has received a major grant of USD$650,000 from Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social to support its work. Director David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social is joined by Brendanmcgeever.bsky.social as Co-Director. Full story www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
On a personal note, I’m happy to say that I have joined my colleague David Feldman as Co-Director of the Institute.
If colleagues would like to collaborate with us in the coming period, get in touch!
5/5
If colleagues would like to collaborate with us in the coming period, get in touch!
5/5
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
On a personal note, I’m happy to say that I have joined my colleague David Feldman as Co-Director of the Institute.
If colleagues would like to collaborate with us in the coming period, get in touch!
5/5
If colleagues would like to collaborate with us in the coming period, get in touch!
5/5
Leanord Bernardo, Vice President of the OSF, writes:
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4/5
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Leanord Bernardo, Vice President of the OSF, writes:
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4/5
- the actuality of antisemitism
- the charge of antisemitism in political life
- the contested relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism
- connections between antisemitism and other forms of racism
These are unresolved debates and I’m pleased to be part of an Institute that does this work.
- the charge of antisemitism in political life
- the contested relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism
- connections between antisemitism and other forms of racism
These are unresolved debates and I’m pleased to be part of an Institute that does this work.
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
- the actuality of antisemitism
- the charge of antisemitism in political life
- the contested relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism
- connections between antisemitism and other forms of racism
These are unresolved debates and I’m pleased to be part of an Institute that does this work.
- the charge of antisemitism in political life
- the contested relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism
- connections between antisemitism and other forms of racism
These are unresolved debates and I’m pleased to be part of an Institute that does this work.
This funding will enable the Institute to address a number of urgent issues in the field with the criticality and seriousness they demand, including:
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2/5
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
This funding will enable the Institute to address a number of urgent issues in the field with the criticality and seriousness they demand, including:
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2/5
Some news: the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism has received a major grant from the Open Society Foundations (OSF).
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
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www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
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Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism receives further funding boost
www.bbk.ac.uk
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Some news: the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism has received a major grant from the Open Society Foundations (OSF).
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
1/5
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
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"We will not let this horror be weaponized to justify crackdowns on Palestine solidarity movements or violent retribution against Muslim communities".
This is such a great piece by @emhilton.bsky.social. Worth your time. www.972mag.com/bondi-massac...
This is such a great piece by @emhilton.bsky.social. Worth your time. www.972mag.com/bondi-massac...
After the Bondi massacre, we don't have the luxury to grieve silently
Before the blood had dried, the deadliest attack on Australian Jews was being used to justify repressing Palestine solidarity and retribution against Muslims.
www.972mag.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
"We will not let this horror be weaponized to justify crackdowns on Palestine solidarity movements or violent retribution against Muslim communities".
This is such a great piece by @emhilton.bsky.social. Worth your time. www.972mag.com/bondi-massac...
This is such a great piece by @emhilton.bsky.social. Worth your time. www.972mag.com/bondi-massac...
Tomorrow at the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism (@bisa-bkk.bsky.social): “The moral panic in America about antisemitism on college campuses” with Prof Dov Waxman (UCLA) (@dovwaxman.bsky.social). Details in the link below. Come!
bisa.bbk.ac.uk/event/antise...
bisa.bbk.ac.uk/event/antise...
December 1, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Tomorrow at the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism (@bisa-bkk.bsky.social): “The moral panic in America about antisemitism on college campuses” with Prof Dov Waxman (UCLA) (@dovwaxman.bsky.social). Details in the link below. Come!
bisa.bbk.ac.uk/event/antise...
bisa.bbk.ac.uk/event/antise...
Reposted by Brendan McGeever
BISA's @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social, co-author with David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social and @bengidley.bsky.social, sets out the reasoning behind their recent letter to The Guardian
Why is support for the @greenparty.org.uk growing among British Jews and how do we understand this? A letter by @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and me for the Guardian. 1/5
The Green party’s policies on Israel are appealing to young British Jews | Letter
Letter: Prof David Feldman, Dr Ben Gidley and Dr Brendan McGeever from the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism say it is wrong to characterise Jewish support for the Greens as ‘paradoxica...
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:43 AM
BISA's @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social, co-author with David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social and @bengidley.bsky.social, sets out the reasoning behind their recent letter to The Guardian
Reposted by Brendan McGeever
The growing political divisions among British Jews - letter in The Guardian from BISA's David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Green party’s policies on Israel are appealing to young British Jews | Letter
Letter: Prof David Feldman, Dr Ben Gidley and Dr Brendan McGeever from the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism say it is wrong to characterise Jewish support for the Greens as ‘paradoxica...
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The growing political divisions among British Jews - letter in The Guardian from BISA's David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
To substantiate this: a recent survey by the JPR itself shows the number of British Jews identifying as anti-Zionist is rising. Within the 20-29 age cohort, a full 44% now identify as anti or non-Zionist. The Green Party is speaking to this constituency and its message appears to be landing. 5/5
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
To substantiate this: a recent survey by the JPR itself shows the number of British Jews identifying as anti-Zionist is rising. Within the 20-29 age cohort, a full 44% now identify as anti or non-Zionist. The Green Party is speaking to this constituency and its message appears to be landing. 5/5
But there is nothing “paradoxical” about this when we place centre stage the growing number of British Jews who are moving away from Zionism. As we write in our letter, for those Jews, it is likely because of Green politics on Israel and not despite them that the party is appealing. 4/5
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
But there is nothing “paradoxical” about this when we place centre stage the growing number of British Jews who are moving away from Zionism. As we write in our letter, for those Jews, it is likely because of Green politics on Israel and not despite them that the party is appealing. 4/5
The JPR called this “paradoxical” given the Green Party’s stance on Israel (its leader @zackpolanski.bsky.social - who is Jewish - openly calls Israel an apartheid state and accuses it of committing genocide in Gaza). 3/5
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The JPR called this “paradoxical” given the Green Party’s stance on Israel (its leader @zackpolanski.bsky.social - who is Jewish - openly calls Israel an apartheid state and accuses it of committing genocide in Gaza). 3/5
Last week a report by the Institute of Jewish Policy Research found that support for the Green Party among British Jews is 900% the size of the turn to the Greens among the wider electorate. 2/5
British Jews turn to Greens and Reform UK as support for main parties drops
Study finds new party divide as backing for Labour and Conservatives plunges from 84% in 2020 to 58% in 2025
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Last week a report by the Institute of Jewish Policy Research found that support for the Green Party among British Jews is 900% the size of the turn to the Greens among the wider electorate. 2/5
Why is support for the @greenparty.org.uk growing among British Jews and how do we understand this? A letter by @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and me for the Guardian. 1/5
The Green party’s policies on Israel are appealing to young British Jews | Letter
Letter: Prof David Feldman, Dr Ben Gidley and Dr Brendan McGeever from the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism say it is wrong to characterise Jewish support for the Greens as ‘paradoxica...
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Why is support for the @greenparty.org.uk growing among British Jews and how do we understand this? A letter by @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and me for the Guardian. 1/5
Reposted by Brendan McGeever
Our letter to the Gaurdian on UK Jews voting for Greens and Reform has now been published. By @dmf101.bsky.social @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social and me, @bisa-bkk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
November 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Our letter to the Gaurdian on UK Jews voting for Greens and Reform has now been published. By @dmf101.bsky.social @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social and me, @bisa-bkk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Brendan McGeever
Looking forward to welcoming colleagues to Ottawa next week for our international workshop on conspiracy theories as a threat to democracy. Part of Media Literacy Week @mediasmarts.bsky.social
www.carleton.ca/populistpublics/events
www.carleton.ca/populistpublics/events
Events - Populist Publics
Hate, Conspiracy Theories, and the Challenge to Democracy (Closed Workshop) Dates: October 28-30, 2025 Through the generous support of a SSHRC Connection
www.carleton.ca
October 24, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Looking forward to welcoming colleagues to Ottawa next week for our international workshop on conspiracy theories as a threat to democracy. Part of Media Literacy Week @mediasmarts.bsky.social
www.carleton.ca/populistpublics/events
www.carleton.ca/populistpublics/events
Responses to Manchester have been predicated on a misrepresentation of what antisemitism in the UK looks like, and a caricature of the Jewish population as a whole. We can and must do better.
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Responses to Manchester have been predicated on a misrepresentation of what antisemitism in the UK looks like, and a caricature of the Jewish population as a whole. We can and must do better.
British Jews are more divided now, over this very issue, than they have been for a century, since the debates triggered by the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
British Jews are more divided now, over this very issue, than they have been for a century, since the debates triggered by the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
This rests on the mistaken idea that British Jews are united in the view that pro-Palestine marches make them less safe. The reality could not be more different.
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
This rests on the mistaken idea that British Jews are united in the view that pro-Palestine marches make them less safe. The reality could not be more different.
In drawing a straight line between the attack in Manchester and the Palestine solidarity movement, the British government has taken the dangerous decision to restrict the right to protest in the name of Jewish safety.
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
In drawing a straight line between the attack in Manchester and the Palestine solidarity movement, the British government has taken the dangerous decision to restrict the right to protest in the name of Jewish safety.
We question the alarmist narrative about a rising antisemitism that dominates the headlines. This narrative is predicated on a narrow and disputable approach to measuring antisemitism.
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
We question the alarmist narrative about a rising antisemitism that dominates the headlines. This narrative is predicated on a narrow and disputable approach to measuring antisemitism.
New article for @prospectmagazine.co.uk with my colleagues David Feldman (@dmf101.bsky.social) and Ben Gidley (@bengidley.bsky.social) in which we critically examine mainstream political responses to the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester earlier this month.
The difficult truth about antisemitism
Why don’t we acknowledge that there are different ways of measuring the prevalence of anti-Jewish prejudice?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
New article for @prospectmagazine.co.uk with my colleagues David Feldman (@dmf101.bsky.social) and Ben Gidley (@bengidley.bsky.social) in which we critically examine mainstream political responses to the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester earlier this month.
This rests on the mistaken idea that British Jews are united in the view that pro-Palestine marches make them less safe. The reality could not be more different.
October 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM
This rests on the mistaken idea that British Jews are united in the view that pro-Palestine marches make them less safe. The reality could not be more different.