CAA Litigation and Legal Actions Against Antisemitism
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) actively utilizes the English legal system to challenge hate speech and hold individuals accountable for antisemitic rhetoric. By employing various legal mechanisms—ranging from judicial reviews (a process where a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body) to private prosecutions—the organization seeks to ensure that government authorities and the judiciary address antisemitism effectively.
Key Facts
- The CAA has successfully used judicial reviews to force the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to reconsider prosecution decisions.
- The organization has initiated private prosecutions against individuals for Holocaust denial and support of terror organizations.
- Legal victories include convictions for stirring up racial hatred and successful libel suits.
- The CAA has faced both successful and unsuccessful outcomes in court, including a dismissed libel claim and a quashed litigation attempt.
Challenging Government Decisions and Hate Speech
One of the primary tools used by the CAA is the judicial review. A notable instance occurred following a 2015 speech by far-right activist Jeremy Bedford-Turner, who called to "free England from Jewish control." After a 13-month campaign and the initiation of a judicial review, the CPS admitted its initial decision not to prosecute was legally wrong. The CPS subsequently agreed to consult the CAA on similar future cases involving Jewish people. Despite initial skepticism regarding the evidential test, the case proceeded to a jury, resulting in a guilty verdict and a one-year custodial sentence for the defendant.
Similarly, the CAA and the Community Security Trust reported Tahra Ahmed, a Grenfell Tower volunteer, after she claimed victims of the fire were "burnt alive in a Jewish sacrifice" and that Goldman Sachs profited from the event. In January 2022, Ahmed was found guilty on two counts of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred and was sentenced to eleven months in prison.
Private Prosecutions and Criminal Convictions
When state authorities do not act, the CAA has turned to private prosecutions, which allow individuals or organizations to bring criminal charges. In early 2018, the CAA began such a process against Alison Chabloz, a Holocaust denier who described Auschwitz as a "theme park" and the Holocaust as a "Holohoax" in YouTube videos. The CPS eventually took over the case, leading to Chabloz's conviction and subsequent imprisonment for violating the conditions of a suspended sentence.
More recently, in July 2025, the CAA announced preparations for a private prosecution against singer-songwriter Roger Waters under the Terrorism Act. This followed Waters' public support for Palestine Action, an entity declared a terror organization earlier that year.
Libel Suits and Civil Litigation
The CAA has also engaged in civil litigation to protect its reputation and that of its leadership. In July 2018, Gilad Atzmon was sued for libel after falsely claiming that CAA chairman Gideon Falter profited from fabricating antisemitic incidents; Atzmon was forced to apologize and pay damages.
Conversely, the CAA has successfully defended itself against legal challenges. In 2019, Tony Greenstein sued the CAA for libel after being called a "notorious antisemite." Greenstein had previously petitioned the Charity Commission to deregister the CAA, arguing it limited free speech. The court dismissed Greenstein's claim, and he subsequently lost his appeal.
Legal Setbacks
Not all legal efforts have been successful. In December 2025, an attempted litigation against Reginald D. Hunter was quashed. The presiding judge described the filing as "abusive" and stated that the CAA had deliberately misled the court, attempting to use the criminal justice system for "improper reasons."
| Individual | Legal Action | Outcome | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Bedford-Turner | Judicial Review / CPS Prosecution | Guilty (1 year prison) | Antisemitic speech |
| Tahra Ahmed | Police Report / Prosecution | Guilty (11 months prison) | Stirring up racial hatred |
| Alison Chabloz | Private Prosecution | Convicted / Imprisoned | Holocaust denial |
| Gilad Atzmon | Libel Suit | Apology and damages paid | False claims against Gideon Falter |
| Tony Greenstein | Libel Suit (against CAA) | Claim dismissed | Labeling as "notorious antisemite" |
| Reginald D. Hunter | Litigation | Quashed | Court ruled filing was "abusive" |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a judicial review in the context of CAA's work?
A judicial review is a legal process used by the CAA to challenge the lawfulness of decisions made by government bodies, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), particularly when those bodies decline to prosecute hate speech.
What is a private prosecution?
A private prosecution is a criminal proceeding brought by an individual or organization rather than a state prosecutor. The CAA has used this to target Holocaust denial and support for terror organizations.
Has the CAA ever lost a legal battle?
Yes. While they have won many cases, a litigation attempt against Reginald D. Hunter in December 2025 was quashed by a judge who found the filing to be abusive and misleading.
How did the CAA handle the case of Alison Chabloz?
The CAA initiated a private prosecution against Chabloz for her antisemitic songs and Holocaust denial. The case was later taken over by the CPS, leading to her conviction.
What happened in the libel case involving Tony Greenstein?
Tony Greenstein sued the CAA for libel after the organization called him a "notorious antisemite." The court dismissed the claim, and Greenstein's subsequent appeal was also unsuccessful.