Alexander Baron & Gilad Atzmon- A Mutual Admiration Society
It seems Atzmon is getting even bolder in his open anti-semitism. In a blog post dated the 27th December (http://www.gilad .co.uk/writings/alexander-baron-gilad-atzmon-wipes-israel-off-the-map.html) he links to a supportive article from the homophobic plagiarist Alexander Baron.
Baron is one of the lesser known figures on the far right, so a bit of background. He’s openly antisemitic and a holocaust denier as this quote from his website shows (http://www. infotextmanuscripts.org/ITMA.html) shows:
I have published on the Holocaust and Holocaust Revisionism – what is known pejoratively and inaccurately as Holocaust Denial. I have published a book length exposé of Zionist agent and sexual deviant David Irving.
He uses the traditional antisemite tactic of blaming Jews for antisemitism. He describes the “Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion” as:
Organized Jewry’s Deadliest Weapon
Baron isn’t just a lone crank, he has operational links with the Evolian think-tank “New Right”, set up by the veteren far-right activist and founder of “National Anarchism”, Troy Southgate. Southgate acts as secretary of the group, which has Jonathan Bowden (who used to be in the Monday Club, the Revolutionary Conservative Caucus, the Freedom Party and the BNP) as its chairman. So, much like Southgate, this is someone with a long history of neo-fascist activism. Another person involved with the New Right is the veteran fascist and Holocaust denier Lady Michelle Renouf. Baron thanks her in his writing up of the 2010 conference so he obviously knows her relatively well. Baron himself spoke at the 2005 launch of the group and the 2010 and 2011 conferences.
Considering this is all easily available on Baron’s website (which is where the article Atzmon links to is from), there is no way Atzmon won’t have seen at least some of it.
So why might Atzmon be attracted to Baron and by extension the New Right?
I’d say it’s an ideological convergence. Despite the claims from some quarters, while Atzmon is undoubtedly on the far right, his particular allegiance isn’t to Neonazi interpretations of fascism. (The fact some are pushing this merely illustrates the lack of serious anti-fascist analysis around at the moment. Nobody with even a basic understanding of far-right ideology would be arguing this). His is more a kind of ‘post-modern’, cultural take on far right themes. So he’s going to be attracted to the likes of Baron who present themselves as “beyond left and right”. And the founding statement of the New Right could come straight from Atzmon himself:
We are opposed to liberalism, democracy and egalitarianism and fight to restore the eternal tsunami that have become submerged beneath the corrosive tsunami of the modern world.
(For a more in-depth analysis of this specific strand of neofascism, see Co-opting the Counter Culture: Troy Southgate and the National Revolutionary Faction) by Graham D. Macklin).
Some conclusions.
While it might have been previous possible to claim that, while a racist, Atzmon wasn’t a fascist, that is definitely no longer the case. Atzmon is now openly linking to the organised far right, which makes him one of them. As such, no platform is the correct position to take, whatever that may entail.
And those like Roy Bard/FreeThePeeps (who was behind the Indymedia coup) and Lauren Booth who are still defending Atzmon have to be treated as fascists themselves at this point. Even if they don’t actively follow far right ideologies, they are now overtly collaborating with fascists. At this point, it doesn’t make any difference whether this is deliberate or is the product of stupidity and wilful ignorance. While not quite at the same level yet, Mikey Ezra of Harry’s Place also needs watching carefully. While he may see getting his books signed by fascists as some kind of jolly public school jape, I beg to differ.
You are either anti-fascist or you are pro-fascist. There is no middle ground and none will be accepted.
Everybody Hates a Tourist 
Interesting, and useful article on the whole. However, it’s a real shame this piece is marred by the borderline-slanderous smear of Mike Ezra. That’s pretty shameful and you should know better.
How is it a smear, let alone slander. Mike Ezra a) got his book signed by Gilad Atzmon (hence putting money into Atzmon’s pocket) and b) went out drinking with Atzmon. Neither of those are untrue and hence they aren’t slanderous. The only cheap dig I can see is the crack about public schools and I don’t actually know his educational background. Although I suspect I’m right.
A couple of straightforward questions.
1. Why is attending an Atzmon book signing more acceptable than attending an Atzmon concert? Or do different rules apply to Harryites than those they criticise?
2. Is “don’t go out socialising with antisemites” an unreasonable position to hold?
Anyone who’s read anything by Mike will know his impeccable anti fascist/ racist credentials. I suspect you don’t like his politics, hence the smear. It’s a shame because I think this is a really helpful, powerful piece, apart from that.
But how can I criticise people for attending an Atzmon concert, but not criticise them for attending an Atzmon book signing or going out drinking with him?
Obviously, you’re right that I don’t have a lot of time for Mikey’s politics. But I suspect your defence of him is based on sympathy for those politics. Because all I’m doing here is applying a universal principle I hold (don’t socialise with fascists and certainly don’t put money in their pocket) to him. If we were talking about someone I was politically closer to, I can honestly say I’d say exactly the same thing.
I’m sure he isn’t sympathetic to fascism/racism in any way and I haven’t suggested otherwise. What I’m suggesting is that he treats it all as a bit of a game and gets a kick out of hanging out with the far right. If that isn’t the case, why do you think he went out drinking with Atzmon? Simply repeating that you think it’s a smear, without actually tackling the issue head-on, isn’t really going to move the debate forward, no?
Thank you for your kind words about the rest of the piece, though.
The comment on Ezra is particularly pertinent because he’s crucified people for less.
Looks like the Anonymous blogger got ripped to pieces:
http://www.infotextmanuscripts.org/no-one-loves-a-moron.html
Been vanity googling, have we Alexander?
I recommend that people go and read that screed themselves. I’m not sure I can do the patheticness justice. “I’m not a fascist and Troy Southgate agrees with me!”.
And I’m fully aware that particular court case was only settled by Housemans. When it looked like it was going to go to court, Brave Sir Baron ran away. So, y’know, Alexander Baron is a homophobic plagarist.
I also know who you think I am. And even a five year old child could work out quite how different the writing style is.
How’s the plastic bag and the dirty mac doing?
Alas, speaking of Atzmon.. he’s going after the youngin’s now:
http://dissidentvoice.org/2012/01/moral-awakening-of-an11th-grader/
This moron believes my case against Housmans was settled out of court. No it was not. Do some research, pillock.
It was settled in court (for the grand total of 14 pounds, with costs being awarded in court, to Housemans). But that wasn’t the only people you threatened to sue, was it, Alex? What happened to the other part of the case?
I await your reply with baited breath. (Of course, this is going to just add to your conspiracy theory that I’m actually O’Hara, but I mostly find that funny).
I never suggested you were Larry O’Hara; he is on a different planet. I sued Gable earlier over an entirely different matter – and he settled to my satisfaction; I got a judgment against Dillons, and substantial settlements from the other parties. I also assisted both Mark Taha and the late Morris Riley. Morris actually got a judgment against Searchlight, or perhaps you didn’t notice that?
Housmans got a costs order after a specific date; they had to pay out quite a bit before that. You might also like to read this
http://www.archive.org/details/OpenLetterToGerryGableByBrianMoseleyOfHousmansBookshop
which gives an insight into the mentality of these so-called left wing radicals, the people who think banks don’t create money and that the global elite is “racist”.