British Fascist Antisemitism and Jewish Responses, 1932-40

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This book explores the use of antisemitism by Britains interwar fascists and the ways in which the countrys Jews reacted to this, examining the two alongside one another for the first time and locating both within the broader context of contemporary events in Europe. Daniel Tilles challenges existing conceptions of the antisemitism of Britains foremost fascist organisation, the British Union of Fascists. He demonstrates that it was a far more central aspect of the partys thought than has previously been assumed. This, in turn, will be shown to be characteristic of the wider relationship between interwar European fascism and antisemitism, a thus far relatively neglected issue in the burgeoning field of fascist studies. Tilles also argues that the BUFs leader, Sir Oswald Mosley, far from being a reluctant convert to the anti-Jewish cause, or simply a cynical exploiter of it, as much of the existing scholarship suggests, was aware of the role antisemitism would play in his fascist doctrine from the start and remained in control of its subsequent development. These findings are used to support the notion that, contrary to prevailing perceptions, Jewish opposition to the BUF played no part in provoking the fascists adoption of antisemitism. Britains Jews did, nevertheless, play a significant role in shaping British fascisms path of development, and the wide-ranging and effective anti-fascist activity they pursued represents an important alternative narrative to the dominant image of Jews as mere victims of fascism.

Reviews

Self-assured and clearly in command of his material, Tilles offers a compelling account of the development of both the BUFs antisemitism and the variegated response to it by Anglo-Jewry ... The author achieves something rather splendid: he really does breathe new life into this exhausted subject ... This is a tightly defined, in-depth, cogent and assertive study. Without doubt, it re-energizes the field. -- Nigel Copsey, Professor of Modern History, Teesside University, UK * Patterns of Prejudice *
Tilles has taken our breath away with a thoroughly researched investigation that challenges much received wisdom concerning this most sensitive subject. Using new material as well as reinterpreting well-thumbed existing accounts, he offers us a provocative but at the same time compelling re-telling of the narrative. * Geoffrey Alderman, University of Buckingham, UK *
Daniel Tilles has produced the most detailed and nuanced account of the British Union of Fascists antisemitism and Jewish responses to it. Utilising new sources and re-assessing old ones, he provides a thought-provoking analysis of the nature of BUF antisemitism, including that of its leader, Oswald Mosley. Tilles also shows the complex and, he argues, successful Jewish actions against the vile attacks of Britains largest fascist movement during the 1930s. * Tony Kushner, Director of the Parkes Institute, University of Southampton, UK *
This book brings a breath of fresh air to the study of the British Union of Fascists and of Jewish responses to the threat it posed. In clear, forceful prose, Daniel Tilles demolishes two long-standing interpretations: that the BUF embraced antisemitism belatedly and only after Jews disrupted their meetings, and that the response of the Jewish communal elite was timid by comparison with the militant response of Jewish workers and Communists. His argument, which draws in large part on hitherto unavailable archival materials, is compelling and has far reaching implications. * Todd Endelman, Professor Emeritus of History and Judaic Studies, University of Michigan, USA *
Painstakingly-researched addition to this field. -- David Renton, Garden Court Chambers, London * Cercles *

Author Bio

Daniel Tilles is Assistant Professor of History at the Pedagogical University of Cracow, Poland. He is the co-editor, along with Salvatore Garau, of Fascism and the Jews: Italy and Britain (2011).