Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Has it really come to this? From Jewish News...
Joe Goldberg, Labour councillor, Seven Sisters
Joe Goldberg
I have never called Jeremy Corbyn an anti-Semite. The problem is the ambivalence he appears to show to it. Indeed, the even bigger problem is that it is being tolerated, treated as an inconvenience, rather than a core challenge to the values of the wider Labour Party.
This, at least for me, is nothing to do with attitudes to Israel. It is everything to do with attitudes towards the Jewish community in general, attitudes to Jewish members of the party, and whether or not the party is prepared to treat anti-Semitism with the same contempt as homophobia, sexism and racism.
The issues with Corbyn are now well rehearsed. This is not about a one-off fringe, or someone who is a friend of friend. Jeremy has allowed himself to be associated, supported and shared a platform with people that would get a mere backbench councillor expelled from their group. Put simply it cannot become the new norm for committed anti-racists to share platforms with anti-Semites.
Of course you can associate yourself with Hamas and the Hezbollah without being anti-Semitic, but if this is really about dialogue I do wonder if Jeremy has ever met anyone from Meretz, let alone someone from the extreme right of Israeli politics? Either way I would never describe such people on either extremes as “friends”.
After Hamas and Hezbollah the blurred lines become increasingly defined. Supporting Lib Dem MP Jenny Tonge when she was sacked for condoning terrorism and suicide bombing is just unacceptable.
Then there was the letter of support for Stephen Sizer, who shared anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and which stated he was “under attack” for speaking out against Zionism. Who exactly is conflating anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism there?
Then there are the people Jeremy has shared platforms with. There is Sheikh Raed Salah, the convicted blood libeller who Jeremy described as an “honoured citizen”; or Paul Eisen, a self-confessed Holocaust denier. Most recently he was due to speak with Carlos Latuff, a cartoonist the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign recognise as an anti-Semite. It is of course possible to suspend judgement. It is possible to imagine that on one occasion Jeremy found himself, in the pursuit of justice for Palestine, in the company of one maybe even two unsavoury individuals – but six or seven?
That is why the questions do not sit with Jeremy alone. What, for example, have the whips office done about any of this? And what about ordinary members of his General Committee?
And rather than accepting that these are reasonable questions that need answers, why do colleagues like Diane Abbott simply accuse people of “nasty smears” for questioning Jeremy on events he does not deny happened? And why does Andy Burnham think it’s okay to find a “space for Jeremy in his team” when he has such questions hanging over him?
Nor does this start or end with Jeremy. Why is Len McCluskie’s chief of staff at Unite, Andrew Murray, also due to share a platform with Latuff? Why was it okay for Ken Livingstone to justify his friendship with the homophobic anti-Semite Yusuf al-Qaradawi by saying the “enemy of my enemy is my friend” and that Jews pretty much vote Tory anyway.
I could go on. The problem is no longer “just Ken”, or “just Jeremy.” It’s the Labour Party and the wider movement that is in danger of getting infected with a terrible virus, if it doesn’t act now to stamp it out.
I have been a loyal member of the party for more than 20 years. I have served as a councillor for the past seven, in a ward with a significant Jewish population, many who are suffering extreme poverty – not least because of the benefit cap. I have bitten my lip, presumed ignorance, positive intent, but no more. Something needs to be said and done, by the party and the community.
This has nothing to do with a handful of votes in a handful of constituencies. It is about principles. And while this is a problem in all parties, the party I joined states in its current Clause IV that we are here to pursue a society “where we live together, freely in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance, and respect.” We are in danger of failing to fulfil our own promise, our purpose, and our values.
This is why regardless of the result on 12 September, I know the vast majority of members recognise the time has come for the party to take action on an issue that is only growing.
The next deputy leader must commit to run a commission on this issue and ensure we show no tolerance to hate, no matter from what corner it may appear.
Tags for Forum Posts: Goldberg, Haringey, Joe, Labour, Seven, Sisters
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Geraldine B on
-
Yours is a powerful message - thank you. Sadly anti-Semitism is rising and to see it covertly rise in the Labour Party (of which I finally became a member four years ago) is very worrying. This 'virus' once given leeway to establish itself becomes harder to eradicate. I salute your insightful and forthright message. On this subject 'silence is not golden' and it is a brave person who speaks out.
Unfortunately, there does seem to be a dearth of possible Labour leaders but Jeremy Corbyn makes me shudder!
-
Permalink Reply by maggie on
-
"Rabbi Mendy Korer helped to organise unveiling of this commemorative plaque (for the original North London Synagogue). He told the audience about inviting the local MP, Jeremy Corbyn, to Shabbat dinner after the MP suggested applying for a plaque to be fixed to the original site of North London Synagogue.
Corbyn is widely known for his peace activism and has been on nine visits to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza during his 32 years in parliament. He called for the UK to have “relationships with all sections of society in Israel” and stressed the need to have a nuanced view of the country: “We shouldn’t judge everything to do with Israel through the prism of whatever Benjamin Netanyahu is saying from one day to the next – Israel’s politics is much wider than that.
”Corbyn called for “robust discussion” on Israel’s siege of Gaza, the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and alleged mistreatment of Palestinian child detainees in Israeli prisons.
He said that following the Israeli assault on Gaza last summer both sides are now being investigated to see if they have committed war crimes, leading him to question whether it is wise for the UK to be continuing to sell arms to Israel. “Is it right that we are supplying arms [to Israel] in this situation? Is it right that we are importing goods from illegal settlements across the West Bank?”
An audience member asked the candidates whether it is appropriate for parliamentarians to host members of groups including the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
The question was a reference to Corbyn hosting members of the two groups in parliament several years ago. In a clip that recently surfaced Corbyn referred to Hamas and Hezbollah as “friends” – a comment that has brought the leftwinger criticism due to the groups being viewed as terrorists by many Western nations. Corbyn defended his outreach to Hamas and Hezbollah: “You don’t achieve progress by only talking to those who you agree with,” he said. “You have to address the rights of everybody if peace is to be achieved across the whole region. Conflicts are settled politically, not necessarily militarily.”
Corbyn argued that criticism of Israel must not lead to anti-Semitism and that unity is key in the battle against prejudice of all forms. “Does questioning the behaviour of the Israeli state towards Palestinians lead to anti-Semitism? No, it mustn’t and shouldn’t,” he said. “Whether it’s a synagogue or a mosque under attack we must all come together to be as one in confronting it.”Video of the debate can be seen here http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jeremy-corbyn-stands-alone-among-...
-
Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on
-
Well said that man - and I say that as a member of the National Secular Society.
I would hope that one day, Corbyn or one of his mates would sit down with me and explain to me precisely why they seem to love brown nosing people whose views, opinions and outlook on life has true left wingers like me holding their noses. But yet, they seem to love these people, and I really cannot understand why.
-
Permalink Reply by Justin Hinchcliffe on
-
Correct
-
Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
-
I don't expect Jez to ever be prime minister. I hope that he will drag the wonderful centre ground (and not just its spelling) back over to the left. The left where the railways are nationalised, the NHS is funded properly, employers are not able to hold the sword of damocles over their staff and a baby born in Haringey has the same chance as one born in Kensington to actually be prime minister one day (without having to do a PPE at Oxford!).
I've been startled to read about this stuff recently and I put a lot of store in what Joe says, he's a good bloke. Jez will definitely have to address this should he become leader.
Three things that have left me a fence sitter in all of this (Zionism):
1. I have no skin in the game.
2. Babies can be bombs too.
3. Jewish people used to be found all over the Middle East and now they're only found in Israel.
-
-
John you are in a time warp you said exactly the same things in a post august 1 2014.
I am not sure what you mean by "2. Babies can be bombs too" but if it means what I think it does then it is offensive.
re 3. "Jewish people used to be found all over the Middle East and now they're only found in Israel".
The reasons behind this are complex, as discussed in the previous thread.
A further statement can be made- "Palestinians used to be found living in Palestine/Israel and are now found all over the world." There are more Palestinians now living in Jordan than in either the West Bank, the Gaza strip or Isreal, why should this be?
There is a tragic history for both sides, that is worth reflecting on.
-
-
Anti semitism is abhorant. Jo Goldberg, above, says "I have never called Jeremy Corbyn an anti-Semite." however the article leaves it hanging in the air based on three controversial meetings that Corbyn has addressed at length.
This is a letter to the Guardian from Jews for Justice for Palestinians.
"We are horrified by the McCarthyite techniques being deployed to smear a prominent critic of Israeli policy. The approach is familiar. Attack the person not their political views and ignore their record. Fish for scraps of past contact with somebody controversial or in any way questionable, regardless of the political context of the contact, how long ago it was or how brief – then damn by association. Above all, reinforce the message that opponents of Israeli policy must be antisemites.
Thus, while Tony Blair can meet Hamas with impunity, Corbyn’s discussions with the same organisation are castigated. Though many donated to Deir Yassin Remembered, to honour a Palestinian village destroyed by Israeli forces in 1948, only Corbyn is attacked for failing to have known that DYR had been taken over by Holocaust deniers.
We take no position regarding the Labour Party leadership contest. However, we deduce that the use – and serious abuse – of accusations of antisemitism and the like is evidence of panic that someone who stands up for Palestinian rights might end up leading a major British political party. "
Naomi Wayne
Jews for Justice for Palestinians
-
Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on
-
This Corbyn bashing is so predicable. So I thought I'd drop in some other points of view. By the way and for the record I am an anti Zionistand and oppose apartheid, I am not an anti semite. Half my family are Jews and they would agree. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/20/jeremy-corbyn-and-a...
-
-
Given that the Israeli state is founded on racist ideology(that Jewish people are inherently different from the rest of humanity) and given that it has cynically and deliberately conflated Zionism and Jewishness; and given that it has done this successfully and planted a metaphorical microchip in the head of every Jewish person (remember the Holocaust; they will come for you again and we will save you); and given that our leaders treat Israel with the utmost respect and support their vile crimes against the people of Palestine, the wonder if that there is not a great deal MORE anti Jewish sentiment. The sad reality is that virtually all Jewish organisations support Israel; sometimes critically but support nonetheless. To 'leave aside Israel' is ludicrous; Israel is an open sore for the world to see. Our leaders meet with terrorists all the time; Netanyahu, Obama, Saudi Royal Family(currently bombing the people of Yemen) and of course our own government has destroyed Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. To attack Corbyn is an complete insult to all right thinking people. Justin tries to spread the notion that somehow the Labour Party is anti Jewish. That's quite disgusting. Remember, Justin is a real live Tory, of the kind supported by the Daily Mail, who railed against Jewish refugees fleeing the terror of Nazi Germany.
-
-
What a jolly jape, Justin, setting the cat among the local pigeons with minimal input from yourself. This parochial Haringey squabble has SFA to do with the real Jeremy Corbyn, with anti-Jewishness in the Labour Party specifically, or with the State of Israel. I agree, though, it makes an engaging change of gear from missing moggies on the Ladder.
-
-
The missing cats are down to Corbyn. A source has told me he and his anti semitic loony left sympathisers are currently grooming them then into jihadi fighters and cyclists.... Zzzzzzzzzzzz
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
