Writing & Content
Articles, videos, and research on technology, leadership, and innovation
Tribal exemption: how left and right make space for antisemitism
Movements rarely keep antisemitism alive by endorsing it. They keep it alive by making exceptions. The routine is familiar: minimise, deflect, absorb. The twist now is that “Israel” often decides which version gets treated as a crisis and which gets waved away.
When Zionist Becomes a Political Bogeyman
After Venezuela’s weekend crisis, Delcy Rodríguez blamed ‘Zionist overtones’. This essay traces two decades of Chavista ‘Zionism’ rhetoric and its antisemitic undertones.
Was Jesus a Palestinian?
Every Christmas season, the internet finds a way to drag the Israel Palestine argument into the nativity scene. The claim that “Jesus was a Palestinian” has been circulating for years, and the pushback is just as familiar, “there was no such thing as Palestine”, “Palestine was invented by the Romans”, “you’re erasing Jewish history”, “you’re denying Palestinian identity”.
Globalise the Intifada: solidarity slogan or threat
“Globalise the intifada” is heard as solidarity by some and as a threat by many Jews, especially given the second intifada’s association with attacks on civilians. This piece explains why the chant has become a flashpoint, why UK police are now treating it more seriously, and why Palestinian advocacy can be powerful without slogans that blur the civilian line or intimidate diaspora Jews.
After Bondi Beach: What Owen Jones's Comments Section Tells Us About Antisemitism Online
An analysis of antisemitism in online discourse, examining the comments section of Owen Jones's content following the Bondi Beach attack to understand how antisemitism manifests in progressive spaces.
Lovecraft and the Sea Monsters of Jewish Cosmology
This essay explores the unexpected resonance between Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu and the sea imagery of Jewish cosmology. From tehom in Bereshit to Leviathan and the tanninim, Jewish tradition preserves ancient memories of a world shaped out of primordial waters. Lovecraft, in his own idiom, imagines the ocean as a repository of older realities that unsettle the present. Without suggesting influence, the piece traces how both traditions use sea monsters to gesture toward layers of creation that remain unassimilated, carrying the world’s earliest memories beneath their depths.
The Infinite Regression of Blame: Rethinking the Origins of a Never‑Ending Conflict
Each time violence flares in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the world demands moral clarity. But the debate is flooded with slogans that don't illuminate—they entrench. This is a conflict without a clear beginning, only a chain of grievances stretching back generations. This is the infinite regression of blame—a logic that stops being informative and starts being corrosive.
Starvation in Gaza: What Israeli Mainstream Journalists Are Saying
A reflection on the Call Me Back podcast: From famine to statehood? – with Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal. This analysis examines how mainstream Israeli journalists understand the current humanitarian disaster in Gaza, contradicting denialism in parts of the diasporic Jewish community.
No Hierarchies in Prejudice: Why Diane Abbott’s Words Matter
In reaffirming the claim that Jews, Irish people and Travellers don’t experience racism, Diane Abbott hasn’t just reopened old wounds—she’s reinforced a dangerous hierarchy of suffering. Antisemitism has always been racialised, and suggesting otherwise erases the lived experience of countless Jews, including those of us who have been targeted for simply existing. Racism isn’t a contest, and it’s time our politics reflected that.
What if I'm wrong?
What if I'm wrong? This isn't a rhetorical question. It's a real one. How often do we pause in the middle of an argument, or after reading a headline, or during an emotional conversation, and ask ourselves: what if I'm wrong? Not just about a particular fact, but about something deeper — a belief, an assumption, a long-held view.
Understanding the Divide: Zionism and Anti-Zionism w/ Dan Jacobs
In this wide-ranging interview, I reflect on my Jewish upbringing, evolving views on Zionism, and the moral and historical complexity of the Israel–Palestine conflict. I argue for nuance, empathy, and intellectual honesty—challenging binary narratives while affirming the dignity and suffering of all involved.
Anti-Zionism, Zionism, and the Need for Clarity
In this piece, I call for clarity in how we talk about Zionism and anti-Zionism. I challenge the simplistic labels we use and urge recognition of the diversity within Zionist thought. I try to hold space for Palestinian pain while arguing for nuance, honesty, and empathy in a deeply polarised conversation.
Tempering Jewish Fear & Anger
An argument that diaspora Jews are letting their fear and anger determine their reactions to recent events, calling for proportional responses to antisemitism during Israel/Palestinian conflicts.
Considering the antisemitism of Jeremy Corbyn
An analysis of Jeremy Corbyn's alleged antisemitism, examining various incidents and associations, and exploring whether he should be considered antisemitic and where he sits on a scale of antisemites.
Is this the end of Netanyahu's premiership?
Analysis of Israel's September 2019 election results and their implications for Netanyahu's political future. The piece examines the failure to form a coalition after the second election of the year, the rise of the centrist Blue and White party, and the significant role of Arab Israeli voters. Jacobs discusses the fractured nature of Israeli politics, the decline of the traditional left, and identifies increased Arab political participation as a potential path toward democratic progress and a just solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict.
The Rothschilds – Truth and Fiction
A comprehensive examination of conspiracy theories surrounding the Rothschild family, separating historical facts from antisemitic myths. Co-authored by Barnaby Marder with contributions from Dan Jacobs, the piece traces the family's actual history from 16th century Germany to their current status, debunking Nazi-originated theories about global banking control. The article explains how these conspiracy theories have been revived and spread through figures like David Icke, and warns against their antisemitic nature.
Smears, lies and Blairites – the cry of the 'deniers' of antisemitism
An analysis of common denialist tactics used to dismiss antisemitism allegations within the Labour party. Jacobs examines how antisemitism manifests on the left through conspiracy theories, anti-Zionism morphing into antisemitism, Soviet-influenced antisemitism, and defensive responses to criticism of Jeremy Corbyn. The piece systematically debunks six common denialist arguments and calls for empathy and self-assessment to combat antisemitism in left-wing movements.
Dan Jacobs Interview - Political Commentary and Analysis
An in-depth interview with Dan Jacobs discussing his political commentary, analysis of antisemitism in left-wing politics, and perspectives on contemporary political issues. The conversation covers his work with Socialists against Antisemitism, his approach to identifying and combating antisemitism within progressive movements, and his broader political analysis and commentary.
The Rabbis: Timeline of Rabbinic Judaism
Explore the development of Rabbinic Judaism through an interactive timeline featuring key figures from the Biblical era through the Post-Talmudic period. Enhanced with Sefaria integration for deeper research into primary sources and topics.
About Dan Jacobs
Dan Jacobs
Dan Jacobs is a writer, technologist, filmmaker, and speaker whose work explores the intersections of politics, identity, and belief. He writes on topics ranging from Zionism and antisemitism to philosophy, veganism, and science fiction, with work published in The Times of Israel, JewThink, Medium, and more. Dan is the co-founder of JewThink, Chair of the Jewish Vegetarian Society, and the creator of several short films exploring Jewish life and contemporary culture.