Europe’s left courts Muslim voters as anti-Israel politics reshape continent

Red‑Green Alliance Sparks Concerns Over Rising Antisemitism Across Europe

A coalition that brings together far‑left European parties and Islamist groups—often called the “Red‑Green Alliance” – is being cited by analysts and officials as a key driver behind a surge in antisemitic incidents across the continent. The alliance, which is said to focus on Palestinian rights and criticize Israel, has gained traction as Muslim voters grow in number and as left‑wing parties seek to broaden their appeal.

Britain’s Sanctions on Israel Spark Controversy

The United Kingdom’s Labour government announced sanctions on Israeli settlement construction last week. Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat slammed the move as “performative politics,” accusing the left of using the sanctions as a ploy to win back Muslim voters from anti‑Israel Green and independent parties. The decision came amid rising concerns that the sanctions could fuel anti‑Israel sentiment among left‑leaning constituents.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis weighed in on the policy, calling the announcement “a truly dark day for British Jews.” He warned that the move could “further embolden those, at home and abroad, who use hatred as a weapon against Jews,” adding that the cumulative effect of such policies could deepen hostility toward the Jewish community.

Sweden’s Parliamentary Election Reflects Growing Divide

On Sunday, Sweden’s parliamentary election saw a narrow three‑seat advantage for an alliance of left‑wing parties over a right‑leaning coalition led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Exit polling indicated that votes from non‑European Swedes were pivotal in giving the left a lead. Political researcher Tobias Hübinette, citing the election as a “Mamdanification” of urban Sweden, noted that the gap between city and countryside was widening. “This is the first time we see such a pronounced split,” he wrote on X.

Germany’s State Elections Show a Shift on the Left

In Berlin, the upcoming state election is expected to see Die Linke, the far‑left party, pulling ahead of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) by about two percentage points. German security officials have linked Die Linke’s platform to Islamist groups, including Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Allegations that party members chant slogans like “Death to the IDF” and “Intifada” at events have sparked debate over the extent of the alliance’s influence.

Janek Treiber, a research fellow at Dresden University of Technology, said the alliance is driven by a shared victim‑hood narrative. “For the left that supports the Palestinian cause, Muslims are the oppressed and the West—including Israel—is the oppressor,” he told reporters. “Whether Muslims hold conservative‑religious views in this context is irrelevant.”

Senior envoy to Europe at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Simone Rodan‑Benzaquen, added that the alliance grew while Jeremy Corbyn led Labour. “You have this far‑left anti‑imperialist, anti‑colonialist, opposition to American power and, of course, to Israel itself. An alliance with Islamist organizations and movements that adopt a common language, despite disagreements on many topics, has turned a party that cared about class into one focused on identity politics,” she said.

Spain and France: Far‑Left Parties in Power

Spain’s far‑left Sumar party, part of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s ruling coalition, saw its support strongest in areas with high Muslim populations. Members have attended demonstrations with Muslim Brotherhood‑adjacent groups and have pushed for Spain to recognize a Palestinian state—an action Spain took in 2024—and to refer to Israel as an “apartheid state.”

In France, La France Insoumise (LFI) has been accused of “Islamo‑leftism.” Leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon has refused to label Hamas a terrorist organization and has marched with Islamist‑linked NGOs during Gaza protests. The party’s popularity is rising in Muslim‑majority suburban districts ahead of next year’s presidential election. Israeli Ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, told reporters that Mélenchon’s rhetoric “reminds me of Hitler” and that the use of Israel as a unifying enemy mirrors tactics employed by the Nazi regime.

Statistical Context

According to Pew Research Center projections, Europe’s Muslim population now stands at 45–46 million—an increase of 15.9 % since 2010. In contrast, the European Jewish population has fallen to under 1.3 million, down 8 % from 2010. Experts warn that the shifting demographic landscape is contributing to a rise in antisemitic attacks, with recent reports noting the deadliest level of antisemitic violence since 1994.

Broader Concerns

Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society in the U.K., cautioned that while Europe has traditionally focused on the far right as the source of antisemitic threats, “for a decade, Europe has trained its anxieties almost exclusively on the far‑right, and while that vigilance is warranted, it has left