Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson, has gained infamy within far-right, anti-Muslim circles in the UK. After founding the English Defense League (EDL) in 2009, and attempting to found Pediga UK in 2015, he became a political advisor for UKIP in 2018.
Although the EDL is today considered defunct, the recent violent anti-Muslim riots across the UK – fueled by misinformation on social media – bear the undeniable traces of its legacy.
Today, Robinson is an online influencer, using his blog Urban Scoop to express convoluted and hateful narratives.
At first glance, Tommy’s selective support of Jewish people, and specifically Israel, combined with a weakly disguised antisemitism, via the Jew-orchestrated Great Replacement conspiracy, may seem contradictory. However, when viewed through the lens of ethno-nationalism his twisted logic becomes clearer. Tommy references Richard Lynn, a leading advocate of the debunked theory of scientific racism, and former editor of the white supremacist journal Mankind Quarterly.
Lynn traces his beliefs to Karl Pearson, a founding father of eugenics and one of his greatest inspirations. These thinkers believed that if “races” mixed qualities like intelligence would be reduced in the more intelligent races.
To Tommy, Israel symbolises his vision for England – a segregated society based on race and religion – intended to prevent what he views as “white genocide.”
Sources
Aporia Podcast. “Richard Lynn: The Dissident Psychologist.” YouTube, 1 Oct. 2023, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2A9Br_er9w.
Cortellessa, Eric . “Why Are US “Pro-Israel” Groups Boosting a Far-Right, Anti-Muslim UK Extremist?” The Times of Israel, 24 Jan. 2019, http://www.timesofisrael.com/why-are-us-pro-israel-groups-boosting-a-far-right-anti-muslim-uk-extremist/
Ella Curran. “Quitting the English Defence League: When Tommy Met Mo.” YouTube, 28 Oct. 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUoeZ-ARdoU. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.
English Heritage. “Eugenics in Britain.” English Heritage, 2021, http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/blue-plaque-stories/eugenics/
Mulhall, Joe. “More Extreme than Ever: Tommy Robinson Reveals His Antisemitic Views in Latest Online Rant.” HOPE Not Hate, 6 Nov. 2022, hopenothate.org.uk/2022/11/06/tommy-robinson-reveals-his-antisemitic-views-in-latest-rant-online/
Rashty, Sandy. “What Makes the EDL’s Former Leader, Who Says He Is a Friend of the Jews, Tick?” Thejc.com, 5 Mar. 2015, http://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/what-makes-the-edls-former-leader-who-says-he-is-a-friend-of-the-jews-tick-qgnyzums.
Samaha, Nour. “JDL and Far-Right Parties Find Common Ground.” Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 29 Dec. 2011, http://www.aljazeera.com/features/2011/12/29/jdl-and-far-right-parties-find-common-ground/
Tommy Robinson. “The Jewish Question.” Urban Scoop, 3 Nov. 2022, http://www.urbanscoop.news/tommys-statement-the-jewish-question/
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