It is often said that the worst antisemites are "self-hating" Jews.
When it comes to Sir Gerald Kaufman, however, no element of self-hatred is involved. Quite the opposite.
It is other Jews that he targets , spouting a series of the most basic antisemitic tropes as if he alone is free from the sins that he slanders the rest of us with.
It would be easy to dismiss his latest rant as merely the wittering of a fool who should long ago have retired from public life. But his words are instructive. The likes of Sir Gerald often hide their hatred of Jews behind a hatred of Israel and protest vigorously that they have no problem with Jews.
With some, the mask is carefully fixed and never slips in public. Sir Gerald, however, has been unable to keep up the pretence any longer, and has blurted out what he really thinks. Not that anyone will be in the least bit surprised.