'October 8th - 'Unbiased' Documentary, Or Deliberate Zionist Propaganda?

The new Wendy Sachs' documentary, "October 8," purports to shed light on the surge of antisemitism on American university campuses following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Sachs extends her analysis to the United Kingdom, asserting that antisemitism here has been "off the rails" for over a decade, attributing this escalation in part to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's influence.

However, a critical examination of these claims reveals a narrative that conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism, potentially serving political agendas rather than providing an unbiased analysis.

The very fact that the film dubbed itself 'the fight for the soul of America', and is alt-titled ‘October H8TE’ seems to make clear from the start that it is anything BUT ‘unbiased’.

Indeed it appears the documentary was never intended to be anything but pro-Zionist propaganda to spoon-feed to the masses with the intent of denigrating and smearing the dozens of pro-Palestine protests which sprang up across the US, both on and off-campus.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word 'documentary as 'A film or television or radio programme that provides a factual report on a particular subject

A piece of film which begins with a clear set of 'meanings the viewer should be left with' and then continues to supposedly support that slant by presenting its content through the skewed lens of those opinions, would seem hardly to merit the name 'documentary'...

'Unbiased' Documentary, Or Deliberate Zionist Propaganda?

A central concern with "October 8" is that it conflates anti-Zionism - opposition to the political ideology that supports the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish state in the territory defined as the historic Land of Israel - with antisemitism, the hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group.

This conflation is problematic, as it dismisses legitimate criticisms of Israeli government policies and actions as inherently antisemitic. Such a stance stifles legitimate political discourse and undermines the fight against genuine antisemitism.

To assess the validity of Sachs' portrayal of rampant antisemitism in the UK, it's essential to examine empirical data. The Community Security Trust (CST), a UK organisation monitoring antisemitic incidents, reported 3,528 incidents in 2024, marking an 18% decrease from the 4,296 incidents recorded in 2023. While any instance of antisemitism is unacceptable, the data indicates a decline rather than an unchecked surge.

Furthermore, the CST's Antisemitic Incidents Report for January-June 2024 noted 1,978 incidents, the highest for any first half-year period. However, this spike correlates with significant geopolitical events, notably the October 7 Hamas attacks, which historically have led to temporary increases in antisemitic incidents. It's crucial to contextualise these figures within specific timeframes rather than attributing them to a continuous upward trend over a decade.

Sachs attributes the rise in UK antisemitism partly to Jeremy Corbyn's time as Labour leader. This assertion aligns with a broader narrative that has been contested by various scholars and political analysts. Critics argue that allegations against Corbyn were politically motivated, aiming to suppress pro-Palestinian voices within the Labour Party. While concerns about antisemitism within Labour during Corbyn's leadership were legitimate, equating his pro-Palestinian stance with antisemitism oversimplifies a complex issue and risks delegitimising valid critiques of Israeli policies.

Reviews of "October 8" have been mixed, with some critics accusing the documentary of selective presentation of facts and fearmongering. The film's focus on extreme incidents without adequate context can create a distorted perception of the prevalence and nature of antisemitism, potentially fueling unwarranted fear and division.

While October 8 claims to raise awareness about antisemitism, it falls into the trap of conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism, a common tactic used to shut down legitimate criticism of Israeli policies. The documentary also presents a potentially selective and politically motivated portrayal of data that risks misleading viewers. Rather than encouraging a balanced understanding of the issue, it seems intent on advancing a specific narrative - one that seeks to protect the interests of the Israeli state by framing criticisms of it as inherently hateful toward Jews.

So, if you fancy a Saturday night of Zionist propaganda, grab the popcorn and give October 8 a watch. But be sure to take it with a pinch of salt.