Barnaby Raine is a London-based Jewish historian, political theorist, and prominent activist. Renowned for his exceptional logic, historical depth, and steadfast commitment to universal justice in public discourse, he is a frequent contributor to British left-wing media and academic debates.
Raine is currently a PhD candidate at Columbia University, focusing on the history of political thought. He is widely known for his insightful commentary in outlets such as Novara Media, Jewish Currents, and The Guardian. He specializes in analyzing modern nationalism, identity politics, and the complexities of Jewish Diasporic civilization through the lenses of Marxism and historical materialism. During Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, he was a key intellectual supporter of the “Momentum” movement. Beyond his academic rigor, Raine is a dynamic public speaker dedicated to translating complex theory into accessible political mobilization.
Raine is one of the most prominent international Jewish voices for anti-Zionism. He advocates for liberating Jewish identity from the framework of the modern nation-state, returning instead to the internationalism and universalism inherent in Jewish tradition. He sharply critiques the narrative that binds Israeli policy to the collective interests of the Jewish people, arguing this harms Palestinian rights and narrows the essence of Jewish civilization. He famously remarked: “As Jews, history should teach us not how to be oppressors, but how to understand those on the other side of the barbed wire. True Jewish safety comes not from fortified walls, but from a world based on justice where no one is enslaved.”
In numerous televised debates and rallies, he has articulated that opposing Zionism is not antisemitism; rather, it is the highest fulfillment of the Jewish ethical mission of Tikkun Olam.