padraig (u.s.)
a monkey that will go ape
tbc I'm not suggesting the clumsiness and lameness of BDS should stop people from advocating boycott and divestment, if that's what they think is right
It feels to me the debate as it's constituted in the wider media is very much a product of the social media environment and all the bad that involves - lots of bruised emotions and a general stiffening and defence of positions rather than good faith engagement with the other sides. Labour Party management and their political enemies all feed into this of course and push and promote these positions.
What we reject are the notions that: (1) the Labour Party is riddled with anti-semitism; (2) the Labour Party is institutionally anti-semitic; and (3) the leader of the Labour Party is himself anti-semitic. From our perspective there is no good faith engagement with any of these positions.
So, yes, when they're used to attack us we get defensive and angry, and our natural reaction is to question why they're being propagated, by whom and to what end. It's hardly to the benefit of either the Labour Party or the Jewish community. I think we're probably all being played here.
Jon Lansman said:This is the most thorough & effective defence of Jeremy Corbyn I’ve seen against the charge of antisemitism (which he certainly doesn’t diminish) from an Economist (Prof Simon Wren-Lewis) who is “no Corbyn fan, & actively campaigned against him in 2016"
that seems like a totally fair description of Corbyn, both generally and specifically in relation to anti-Semitismwho is sometimes less careful than he should be when pursuing the causes he supports, and is not nearly critical enough of people who he believes are on the side of the poor and oppressed
and sure, the Tories (or Republicans, or whatever lame right-wing party in whatever country) are undoubtedly worse on racism, harbor more actual racists, etc: sure
LONDON (Reuters) - The poison of anti-Semitism “sanctioned from the top” has taken root in Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said in an article published on Monday, warning the “soul of our nation is at stake” in next month’s election.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran campaigner for Palestinian rights, has been dogged by criticism from members, lawmakers and Jewish leaders that he has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in the party despite a promise to do so.
“The question I am now most frequently asked is: What will become of Jews and Judaism in Britain if the Labour Party forms the next government? This anxiety is justified,” Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, wrote in an article for Tuesday’s edition of the Times newspaper. He said the response of the party’s leadership as their supporters drove lawmakers, members and staff out of the party for challenging anti-Jewish racism had been “utterly inadequate” and claims the party was doing everything it could and had investigated every case were “mendacious fiction”.
“It is a failure to see this as a human problem rather than a political one. It is a failure of culture. It is a failure of leadership. A new poison – sanctioned from the top – has taken root in the Labour Party,” he wrote.
A spokesman for Labour, who are trailing Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives in the polls ahead of the Dec. 12 election, said Corbyn was a lifelong campaigner against anti-Semitism.
“A Labour government will guarantee the security of the Jewish community, defend and support the Jewish way of life, and combat rising anti-Semitism in our country and across Europe,” the spokesman said.
“We are taking robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party, with swift suspensions, processes for rapid expulsions and an education programme for members,” he said.
Mirvis said that, while convention dictates that the chief rabbi stays away from party politics, challenging racism went beyond politics.
“How complicit in prejudice would a leader of Her Majesty’s opposition have to be to be considered unfit for office? Would associations with those who have incited hatred against Jews be enough? Would describing as ‘friends’ those who endorse the murder of Jews be enough? It seems not,” he said.
“When December 12 arrives, I ask every person to vote with their conscience. Be in no doubt, the very soul of our nation is at stake.”