Anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies today mirror those used against Jews 100 years ago
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/georgemonbiot. "Read these words from 100 years ago about immigrants in Britain – and see how history is chillingly repeating itself | George Monbiot | The Guardian." March 5, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
Monbiot argues that today's harsh treatment of immigrants and Muslims in Britain is basically a repeat of how Jewish immigrants were treated 100 years ago. The same newspapers are using the same playbook, making the same false accusations, and politicians are responding with similar policies that will ultimately backfire.
Conclusion
Current anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies in Britain are essentially recycling the same narratives and tactics used against Jewish immigrants a century ago, demonstrating a dangerous historical pattern that threatens all minorities
Premises
- In 1924, Home Secretary Joynson-Hicks raised naturalization requirements from 5 to 10 years (15 for Russians/Jews), just as Mahmood now proposes raising requirements from 5 to 10 years (20 for refugees)
- The same accusations made against Jews a century ago (tribalism, failure to assimilate, being un-English, leeching off the state, tampering with white girls, causing housing shortages and unemployment) are now being made against Muslims and immigrants
- The same media outlets that promoted anti-Jewish sentiment then (Daily Mail, Express) continue to promote anti-immigrant sentiment now, supplemented by new platforms like GB News and X
- These characterizations are demonstrably false, as evidenced by polling showing Muslims are more likely than non-Muslims to support democracy and express loyalty to their country
- Historical precedent shows that confronting media-driven hatred can work, as when advertiser pressure forced the Daily Mail to drop support for fascism in 1934
- The government's current policies are politically destructive, with Labour support collapsing and the Greens overtaking them in polls
Assumptions
- Historical patterns of scapegoating minorities tend to repeat themselves
- Media outlets bear primary responsibility for spreading divisive narratives
- Government policies that appease anti-immigrant sentiment are ultimately self-defeating
- All minority groups are endangered when any minority group is targeted
- Public opinion can be shaped by sustained media campaigns over decades