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Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege
From the author of The Builder’s Stone and Guardian Angel comes a unique guide to help diaspora Jews respond to global assault against the Jewish world.
Since the Hamas-led atrocities in Israel on October 7, 2023, the Jewish world has been subjected to an unprecedented international onslaught. Israel has been portrayed as the most evil nation in the world through defamatory lies, and as a result Jews across the West have been targeted by murderous attacks, vilification, and social ostracism.
Such Jews have been profoundly destabilized by this tsunami of hatred and baffling irrationality, which calls into question their very future. Many, if not most, are deeply unsure about the necessary balance between safety and resistance. They may lack the information or self-confidence needed to fight the lies, or else be traumatized by friendships or family relationships shattered by the divisions created by this bombardment.
Fighting the Hate provides the help that Jews have been crying out for to cope with these intense pressures. Offering detailed advice across the political and religious spectrum, journalist Melanie Phillips maps out what Jews are up against and suggests specific responses to the many different kinds of attack they are suffering. Her book is a clarion call for a new strategy of Jewish self-confidence, the essential basis for survival in the face of an unparalleled threat.
Since the Hamas-led atrocities in Israel on October 7, 2023, the Jewish world has been subjected to an unprecedented international onslaught. Israel has been portrayed as the most evil nation in the world through defamatory lies, and as a result Jews across the West have been targeted by murderous attacks, vilification, and social ostracism.
Such Jews have been profoundly destabilized by this tsunami of hatred and baffling irrationality, which calls into question their very future. Many, if not most, are deeply unsure about the necessary balance between safety and resistance. They may lack the information or self-confidence needed to fight the lies, or else be traumatized by friendships or family relationships shattered by the divisions created by this bombardment.
Fighting the Hate provides the help that Jews have been crying out for to cope with these intense pressures. Offering detailed advice across the political and religious spectrum, journalist Melanie Phillips maps out what Jews are up against and suggests specific responses to the many different kinds of attack they are suffering. Her book is a clarion call for a new strategy of Jewish self-confidence, the essential basis for survival in the face of an unparalleled threat.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
About the author
Melanie Phillips
34 books167 followersMelanie Phillips, journalist, broadcaster and author, is Britain’s best known and most controversial champion of traditional values in the culture war.
Her weekly column, which currently appears in The Times of London, has been published over the years in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times and Daily Mail. She also writes for the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Chronicle, is a regular panellist on BBC Radio's The Moral Maze and speaks on public platforms throughout the English-speaking world.
Her best-selling book Londonistan, about the British establishment's capitulation to Islamist aggression, was published in 2006. She followed this in 2010 with The World Turned Upside Down: the Global Battle over God, Truth and Power.
Her first novel, The Legacy, which deals with conflicted Jewish identity, antisemitism and the power of history, was published in April by Post Hill Press. Her personal and political memoir, Guardian Angel, was published by Post Hill Press in January.
Among her earlier books is All Must Have Prizes, a devastating critique of Britain's education system. She is also the author of The Sex-Change Society: Feminised Britain and the Neutered Male, published by the Social Market Foundation, America's Social Revolution, published by Civitas, and The Ascent of Woman, a history of the ideas behind the female suffrage campaign, published by Little, Brown. She also wrote a play, Traitors, which was performed at the Drill Hall in London in 1985
Her weekly column, which currently appears in The Times of London, has been published over the years in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times and Daily Mail. She also writes for the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Chronicle, is a regular panellist on BBC Radio's The Moral Maze and speaks on public platforms throughout the English-speaking world.
Her best-selling book Londonistan, about the British establishment's capitulation to Islamist aggression, was published in 2006. She followed this in 2010 with The World Turned Upside Down: the Global Battle over God, Truth and Power.
Her first novel, The Legacy, which deals with conflicted Jewish identity, antisemitism and the power of history, was published in April by Post Hill Press. Her personal and political memoir, Guardian Angel, was published by Post Hill Press in January.
Among her earlier books is All Must Have Prizes, a devastating critique of Britain's education system. She is also the author of The Sex-Change Society: Feminised Britain and the Neutered Male, published by the Social Market Foundation, America's Social Revolution, published by Civitas, and The Ascent of Woman, a history of the ideas behind the female suffrage campaign, published by Little, Brown. She also wrote a play, Traitors, which was performed at the Drill Hall in London in 1985
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 1, 2026
a much needed prescription
Extremely useful tool to help fight a feeling of helplessness and incredulity at this wave of hatred. I particularly appreciate the format of itemizing the accusations and how to fight them effectively.
Extremely useful tool to help fight a feeling of helplessness and incredulity at this wave of hatred. I particularly appreciate the format of itemizing the accusations and how to fight them effectively.
June 10, 2026
Fighting the Hate is an urgent and uncompromising handbook for Jews living in the aftermath of October 7 and the wave of hostility toward Israel and Jewish communities that followed. Melanie Phillips argues that diaspora Jews are facing a crisis of legitimacy and security unprecedented even in the long history of Jewish persecution. She contends that the massacre of October 7, the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust, triggered a successful campaign by Islamists and elements of the far left to capture the public narrative and turn opinion against Israel.
Phillips' central argument is that anti-Zionism and antisemitism cannot be meaningfully separated. Since the overwhelming majority of Jews identify with or care about Israel, she argues that attacks on Zionism often function as attacks on Jews themselves. She also insists that Zionism is integral to Judaism and that the Jewish connection to the land of Israel is a matter of history, peoplehood, and identity rather than merely religion.
The book's greatest strength is its practicality. Rather than simply lamenting the current situation, Phillips equips readers with responses to what she sees as the most common anti-Zionist accusations and slurs. She challenges the claims that Zionism is racism, that Israel is a colonialist enterprise, and that Israel is guilty of genocide. Instead, she argues that openly genocidal rhetoric comes from groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and she provides numerous quotations and examples to support her case.
Throughout the book, Phillips urges Jews not to respond with despair or emotion but with knowledge, confidence, and facts. Her message is to understand the arguments being made, understand those promoting them, and be prepared to answer them. She also argues that Jews should not expect the hostility to disappear soon and should instead prepare for a long struggle in the realm of ideas and public opinion.
Whether one agrees with every conclusion or not, Fighting the Hate succeeds in its stated purpose. It is not a detached academic study but a practical manual for readers who want to understand and challenge anti-Zionist arguments from a strongly pro-Israel perspective. Anyone looking for a clear, forceful, and well-organized defense of Israel and Zionism will find this book valuable. Readers who want a handbook of arguments and counterarguments to the most common accusations directed at Israel and the Jewish people should seriously consider reading it.
Phillips' central argument is that anti-Zionism and antisemitism cannot be meaningfully separated. Since the overwhelming majority of Jews identify with or care about Israel, she argues that attacks on Zionism often function as attacks on Jews themselves. She also insists that Zionism is integral to Judaism and that the Jewish connection to the land of Israel is a matter of history, peoplehood, and identity rather than merely religion.
The book's greatest strength is its practicality. Rather than simply lamenting the current situation, Phillips equips readers with responses to what she sees as the most common anti-Zionist accusations and slurs. She challenges the claims that Zionism is racism, that Israel is a colonialist enterprise, and that Israel is guilty of genocide. Instead, she argues that openly genocidal rhetoric comes from groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and she provides numerous quotations and examples to support her case.
Throughout the book, Phillips urges Jews not to respond with despair or emotion but with knowledge, confidence, and facts. Her message is to understand the arguments being made, understand those promoting them, and be prepared to answer them. She also argues that Jews should not expect the hostility to disappear soon and should instead prepare for a long struggle in the realm of ideas and public opinion.
Whether one agrees with every conclusion or not, Fighting the Hate succeeds in its stated purpose. It is not a detached academic study but a practical manual for readers who want to understand and challenge anti-Zionist arguments from a strongly pro-Israel perspective. Anyone looking for a clear, forceful, and well-organized defense of Israel and Zionism will find this book valuable. Readers who want a handbook of arguments and counterarguments to the most common accusations directed at Israel and the Jewish people should seriously consider reading it.
May 9, 2026
This is a superb book in every respect.
In lucid and concise language, Melanie Phillips provides the toolkit to help the reader defend Jews and Israel against antisemitic and anti-Zionistic attacks.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and will be using it extensively to verbally fight the haters.
Thank you Melanie!
In lucid and concise language, Melanie Phillips provides the toolkit to help the reader defend Jews and Israel against antisemitic and anti-Zionistic attacks.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and will be using it extensively to verbally fight the haters.
Thank you Melanie!
May 5, 2026
Outstanding. A concise clarion call to Jews and non-Jews alike to unabashedly take on the hateful enemies of the Jewish people and Israel.
August 8, 2026
Basically a guide for diaspora jews who want to fight back instead of going to Israel. Naturally, this is a book for the convinced, otherwise I don’t see how it changes anyone’s mind in times like these.
May 4, 2026
What a sociopathic thing to write
May 9, 2026
I highly recommend this book for those who want to know the truth about Israel, its legitimate fight for survival and how to overcome the mistruths and hate that is so unfortunately widespread.
May 4, 2026
Short read, and super helpful. Time will tell if Phillips' strategy will be effective or not. The only thing that can be safely said is that constantly taking the defense position isn't working. Phillips is at least offering an alternative solution.
August 11, 2026
***
I'm not familiar with the author other than this book, but from the introduction she appears to be a trump-supporting Muslim-hating conservative British woman, which is a bit* of a turn-off [*massive understatement]. Still, I kept reading to see if she had anything practical to say, because Jews around the world really are being confronted with rising levels of antisemitism not seen in my lifetime, and many (myself including) are struggling to respond.
Real-world examples: do I hide my Magen David, or display it proudly? Do I confront the keffiyah wearing Hamas flag waving protestor on campus/outside of a synagogue? Do I call out someone I considered a friend on social media for unknowingly spouting vile antisemitic dog whistles, or just let it go? In Philips's words, know when to "fight, persuade, or disengage."
Most of the talking points and rebuttals to common accusations she offers are standard issue Hasbarah, with the usual cherry picked data and quotes taken out of context. It's not so much factually wrong per se, but is extremely biased and presents an overly simplified lopsided interpretation of events, with little room for dissent. On the topic of trustworthy news organizations she leans towards right-wing sources, and hilariously singles out the NY Post and WSJ opinion page as being particularly reliable while not including a single Israeli publication.
On the positive side, she's more nuanced when providing advice on how to do deal with various situations and how to approach different types of people, from leftists to Qanon, hostile professors/students, family & friends, strangers on social media, etc. And she concludes with a practical set of guidelines to follow when fighting back. The basic idea is to reject the "when did you stop hitting your wife" type attacks designed to place the accused on the defensive, and instead reframe the situation with a more positive story to cut through both the ignorance and the lies (whether willful or inadvertent), and to come together as a community for mutual support.
Note: rating increased by a star to counter the knee-jerk 1 star reviews by people who didn't even bother to read it.
I'm not familiar with the author other than this book, but from the introduction she appears to be a trump-supporting Muslim-hating conservative British woman, which is a bit* of a turn-off [*massive understatement]. Still, I kept reading to see if she had anything practical to say, because Jews around the world really are being confronted with rising levels of antisemitism not seen in my lifetime, and many (myself including) are struggling to respond.
Real-world examples: do I hide my Magen David, or display it proudly? Do I confront the keffiyah wearing Hamas flag waving protestor on campus/outside of a synagogue? Do I call out someone I considered a friend on social media for unknowingly spouting vile antisemitic dog whistles, or just let it go? In Philips's words, know when to "fight, persuade, or disengage."
Most of the talking points and rebuttals to common accusations she offers are standard issue Hasbarah, with the usual cherry picked data and quotes taken out of context. It's not so much factually wrong per se, but is extremely biased and presents an overly simplified lopsided interpretation of events, with little room for dissent. On the topic of trustworthy news organizations she leans towards right-wing sources, and hilariously singles out the NY Post and WSJ opinion page as being particularly reliable while not including a single Israeli publication.
On the positive side, she's more nuanced when providing advice on how to do deal with various situations and how to approach different types of people, from leftists to Qanon, hostile professors/students, family & friends, strangers on social media, etc. And she concludes with a practical set of guidelines to follow when fighting back. The basic idea is to reject the "when did you stop hitting your wife" type attacks designed to place the accused on the defensive, and instead reframe the situation with a more positive story to cut through both the ignorance and the lies (whether willful or inadvertent), and to come together as a community for mutual support.
Note: rating increased by a star to counter the knee-jerk 1 star reviews by people who didn't even bother to read it.
July 6, 2026
This is a great book for Jewish and Israeli allies. A few interesting points from the book:
1) The Jewish people have an ancient historical connection to the land going back thousands of years and established the modern State of Israel in 1948. There was never a sovereign modern state called Palestine but the area was controlled by the Ottoman Empire and the British prior to 1948.
2) Israel has repeatedly offered land and supported a two-state solution, while Palestinian leaders rejected statehood offers in 1947, 2000, and 2008. It exhausted Bill Clinton as he tried to make a deal. “"I killed myself to give the Palestinians a state. I had a deal they turned down that would have given them all of Gaza, 96-97% of the West Bank, compensating land in Israel, you name it."
3) A country committing genocide doesn't repeatedly offer its adversary a state or withdraw entirely from territory like Gaza.
4) Israel is the Middle East's only full democracy, with regular elections, an independent judiciary, a free press, and voting rights for all its citizens, including its Arab minority, which makes up about 21% of the population. They have the right to vote, form political parties, serve in parliament, sit on the Supreme Court, and work as doctors, lawyers, business leaders, and university professors.
1) The Jewish people have an ancient historical connection to the land going back thousands of years and established the modern State of Israel in 1948. There was never a sovereign modern state called Palestine but the area was controlled by the Ottoman Empire and the British prior to 1948.
2) Israel has repeatedly offered land and supported a two-state solution, while Palestinian leaders rejected statehood offers in 1947, 2000, and 2008. It exhausted Bill Clinton as he tried to make a deal. “"I killed myself to give the Palestinians a state. I had a deal they turned down that would have given them all of Gaza, 96-97% of the West Bank, compensating land in Israel, you name it."
3) A country committing genocide doesn't repeatedly offer its adversary a state or withdraw entirely from territory like Gaza.
4) Israel is the Middle East's only full democracy, with regular elections, an independent judiciary, a free press, and voting rights for all its citizens, including its Arab minority, which makes up about 21% of the population. They have the right to vote, form political parties, serve in parliament, sit on the Supreme Court, and work as doctors, lawyers, business leaders, and university professors.
August 3, 2026
Although not totally amazing, it was closer to 5 than 4.
It was well organized, concise, lucid, backed up well, and with clear plans of action.
I'd like every Jew and even Jew-'ish' person to read this book, especially principals of Jewish schools including synagogue schools, to make sure that our children are getting correct education and guidance.
I'd also like to have members of the US government to read it, to have the correct background and not the nonsense and outright lies and hatred from most of media.
Alas, I cannot make sure that all will read it, so I can only encourage everyone to read it, learn it, and give it to others.
It was well organized, concise, lucid, backed up well, and with clear plans of action.
I'd like every Jew and even Jew-'ish' person to read this book, especially principals of Jewish schools including synagogue schools, to make sure that our children are getting correct education and guidance.
I'd also like to have members of the US government to read it, to have the correct background and not the nonsense and outright lies and hatred from most of media.
Alas, I cannot make sure that all will read it, so I can only encourage everyone to read it, learn it, and give it to others.
April 20, 2026
Inspiring and truth telling. However, while she doesn't come out and say it, it seems she's a Trump supporter because of his relationship with Israel. I just can't go that far at all. Trump is a deranged megalomaniac, a convicted criminal and a traitor to America. It's very difficult to reconcile these two things.
June 18, 2026
Some valuable information here but definitely written for people who don't know much about Israel and the history of the middle east conflicts. The advice is highly repetitive, superficial, somewhat condescend, and for the most part, not unique or insightful.
April 29, 2026
I give one star to books I don't finish. I got through a third and it wasn't saying much, but what it did say was a bit ridiculous. There are a few ways to defend Israel, but this isn't it.
June 28, 2026
A useful book, but Phillips's contempt for American progressives/liberals is evident throughout the book. Not a good approach in this already divisive time.
July 2, 2026
Fantastic
August 5, 2026
A short but impactful book. This book lays out its arguments in a clear way with supporting facts and actionable ideas.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews