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Anti Semitism in Labour Party and Universities.

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POGS Thu 17-Mar-16 12:12:56

I am raising this as a separate conversation although it has been mentioned on another thread re the Muslim Female Councillors and reports of Mysogyny.

It is worrying to know Anti Semitism is reportedly rising in the UK . When a Political Party is facing accusations of Anti Semetism that becomes a major issue. Now my comment will be challenged but I for one have been asking how such blatent cases of Anti Semitism are being allowed in the UK. We have laws to handle it but they are not being used, why? I will most certainly be happy to say that I do not believe for one minute the majority of Labour MP's nor voters are Anti Semetic, quite the reverse, but is it time voices spoke out against Anti Semitism or at least understood it is an issue within some parts of the Labour Movement.

I have noticed this tendancy from certain Labour MP's and groups they belong to for many years but they were always under the radar and not thought 'influencial' enough, however times have changed. Labour run councils have used Anti Semetic behaviour over issues such as Flying the Palestinian Flag over Tower Hamlets , Calls for boycotting of Israeli goods, banning Jewish films etc. etc.

There is no doubt more interest being taken by the media over such matters and there are calls for Corbyn to show leadership over the actions of the Labour Party activism at Oxford University , indeed something is going radically wrong with our universities full stop an entire thread could be dedicated to that topic alone. I am not talking of racist tweets such as those made by MP's such as Dianne Abbot , Helen Goodman et al. Whilst they are relevant it would just dissolve into a tit for tat fest of he said she said to the left and right of politics. There are idiots in all party's !

I am not , and some will not believe a word of what I am about to say, trying to score a political point. I take my hat off to those Labour MP's who are speaking openly about this problem and calling for action from their Leader. This is not some right wing rag hyperbol taking place but there is something of a 'menacing ' tendency in some quarters of the Party and I hope those MP's who are doing their damnedest to openly stop it's progression do not fail or as some have eluded to run the risk of deselection for speaking out, that's another thread story too.

Anniebach Thu 24-Mar-16 12:18:42

Perhaps he does talk to Jews, there are quite a few labour MP's who are Jews and the Tory press are far to interested in anything that put Corbyn in a bad light . So I would be interested to read hoe often he meets with Palistians for talks, as you are so sure may I ask for the dates, is it weekly, monthly ?

annodomini Thu 24-Mar-16 12:43:42

There are many Jewish people who are ashamed at the treatment meted out to the Palestinians by the State of Israel and horrified at the illegal land grabs on the West Bank. I previously mentioned a web site run by one of these groups - Jewish Voice for Peace.

Anniebach Thu 24-Mar-16 12:53:55

I doubt anyone could accuse these Jews of being anti Semitic. Thank you for the name of the web site annodomini

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 13:22:42

I am sorry to hear about your husband Venus, and I do wish you both well. My DH has had a recurrence of prostate cancer, so I do understand a little bit how you must be feeling.
You are all so well qualified on here!!! I'm afraid I can only boast 5 O'levels, (no maths, no science!!! ) one of which was religious knowledge!! and two A'levels, english literature and british history!! I think at 70+ I'll have to leave it at that!!
Everyone has their own ideas and attitudes concerning this particular situation. It is difficult and seemingly insurmountable, and nothing we say on here will make any difference, so I can't really see any point in continuing this conversation, which is beginning to turn into, you did, you didn't!!!

annodomini Thu 24-Mar-16 13:32:06

Try FutureLearn, niggly. They have free courses on so many subjects it's hard to choose. I suggest international politics.

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 13:45:45

Thanks anno, I'll have a look, I've certainly got enough time these days!!

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 14:10:39

I have had a look anno, and what a treasure trove! I have gravitated to world history, and the disappearance of five monarchs! I'm back to find out more!! Thank you again.

whitewave Thu 24-Mar-16 14:12:47

It really is good Niggly -we might find ourselves chatting about the course!!!

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 14:31:52

It would probably be more peaceful ground whitewave!! History is fascinating, so many if buts and maybe's. Plenty to discuss, but not to argue, well, maybe, but only a bit!!!!

TriciaF Thu 24-Mar-16 14:36:45

I admire Venus for her fighting spirit, she has been the only person strongly fighting her corner, which I share (I'm a convert to Judaism.)
It all goes to show that Jews often feel alone, because of our small numbers. And mis-understanding of others.
Before I met my Jewish husband I knew very little about Judaism, and looking back think that most non-Jews have never met a Jew, or heard about them at all, apart from the Holocaust.
Now I see the religion as the root of Christianity, (Jesus was a Jew) and Islam.
Wishing your husband better health, Venus.

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 15:35:31

Oh heavens I too admire Venus fighting spirit, and certainly defend the right of the existence of Israel. I think I've made this clear. I just wish there could be a peaceful settlement agreeable to both sides, but at the moment that seems further away than ever. As in all conflicts there is right and wrong on both sides, seemingly, as often seems the case, sadly insurmountable.

Anniebach Thu 24-Mar-16 15:37:53

The Jews do not accept Christ as the messiah, he did speak out against their teachings , yes he was born a Jew and kept some rituals like the Passover but he challenged their teachings . Mohammad acknowledge Christ as a prophet but not as the messiah .

Nelliemoser Thu 24-Mar-16 16:07:12

Somewhere in all this I seem to remember a UN declaration I think made after the six day war in ?1967 about the Jewish state being being obligated to give back the land it had captured and not to take any more. As is happening in the still illegal Zionist West Bank Jewish settlements. It seems that the world has rather forgotten that inconvenient piece of legislation.

I am making no comparison of the indescribably awful regime and viciousness of Hitler and his concept of trying to establish "lebensraum" for the Aryan races with the state of Israel's current land grabbing behaviour.

However it always feels to me that the hard line Zionists now wanting their "promised land" as a special land for Jews is a a theory not disimilar to "lebensraum."
However given what many nations and races suffered at the hands of The Nazi party I can understand how the whole episode of the holocaust could still strongly influence that nations psyche to be afraid of any other nations.

Anniebach Thu 24-Mar-16 16:10:31

Very fair Nellimoser

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 16:38:23

There is on line an article about 'The origins of the word Palestine'. It makes for very informative reading and is well worth having a look at.

TriciaF Thu 24-Mar-16 16:55:52

Nigglynellie - not ignoring your support either.
Annie - reform Judaism is very similar to Jesus' version.
And most of the Muslim laws are taken straight from the OT eg food laws, family purity, day of rest Fri. not Sat. to say nothing of the more extreme laws.

Anniebach Thu 24-Mar-16 17:16:20

Tricia my Jewish friends are not reform Jews. They observe the Passover, do not work Saturdays, one friend's mother who is divorced will not even invite her son in law into her flat if he is not accompanied by a female , my female friends accept sitting separately from the men in the tabernacle and no way do one of them accept Christ as the messiah so do not celebrate the Easter festival , I respect this , it's their faith ,

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 17:21:03

I appreciate that Nellie, just checking as my small grandson would say!!!

nigglynellie Thu 24-Mar-16 17:22:11

Sorry, TriciaF. senior moment you understand!!!

POGS Thu 24-Mar-16 17:36:09

Back to a bit apologies.

Tricia. 22/3/16. 13.35

Your link to the DM which is interesting reports of a Tory councillor candidate who said during the last election campaign 'I could never support a Jew'. That was to my mind Anti Semetic and quite rightly she was made to apologise for her offensive behaviour.

I note the Labour response was as follows " With Anti Semitism on the rise across Europe , it is abhorrent and terrifying that a prospective conservative politician would say something like this". Who could take issue with that statement!

I could not agree more and I am pleased Labour are are saying there is a rise in Anti Semitism throughout Europe and obviously having put in place the Inquiry into ' allegations ' of Anti Semetism amongst it's own party's uniuversity organisations headed by Labour Peer Baroness Royall the party is taking the subject of Anti Semetic behaviour seriously. One would have that was a commendable action.

POGS Thu 24-Mar-16 17:45:42

Tricia. 22/3/16. 13.28

Your post to POGS was very good and made a valid point but it did not include acts such as refusing to share a platform with somebody because they are a Jew, name calling an individual using the term Zio (Ku Klux Klan preferred) etc. There is no difference between Anti Semetic behaviour or Islamophobic behaviour I agree. but Islamophobia is 'constantly' being spoken of and I am raising awareness of the rise in Anti Semetic behaviour. I do feel this point is being lost. time and time again..

POGS Thu 24-Mar-16 18:06:16

daphnedil. 22/3/16. 14.56

You say you only really know about Europe with regard to the rise of Anti Semitism. I am raising awareness of it here through current political affairs which happens to be Labour connected at this time.

Your Labour 4 point list , to Corbyn I believe.

You say Corbyn was asked 'last year' shows this has been known of for a while and to me mitigates the reason for my OP. It has been and is currently being discussed within the Labour Party whether or not some refuse to accept that point.

1. Repudiate the ideology and behaviour of Hama's and Hezbollah . To my knowledge this has not happened .

2. Whether he would condemn Anti Semitism of the far left as well as the far right. I would hope so.

3. Whether Labour would continue to oppose the boycott of Israel. I don't think that will happen as the connection between Corbyn, Abott, McDonnel et al with 'Solidarity Societies' such as Stop The War would see him viewed as a hypocrite whichever way he went.

4.Whether the Party would continue to support and protect faith schools. I have no idea what Labour believe in. You say he has answered 1 and 2 , has he?. Has Corbyn repudiated the ideology and behaviourHezbollah? and Hezbollah. Corbyn has condemned violence but not the terror groups as far as I read his words. They are clever usage of words but they do not do as requested surely.

POGS Thu 24-Mar-16 19:37:02

daphnedil cont.

You say re point 3. The Labour does oppose the boycott of Israeli goods. The goods involved are those made in the occupied West Bank areas. How do they know which are made in the occupied territory?

Up to 2015 the European Union had a limited free trade agreement with Israel , not the West Bank goods I believe. The European Union does not recognize the occupied territories as part of Israel therefore goods from the occupied territory are not included in 'free' trade.. Two bodies evolved the EU Israel Council and the EU Israel Association Committee. The agreement fell apart in 2015 , as my understanding goes , as Israel doesn't want to conform with the European Court of Justice telling them that goods must be labelled where they are produced from.

It is a very messy business and I understand the voices that call for a boycott of occupied territory goods but the problem is the activism behind the so called boycott of occupied territory goods does not restrict itself to that area. It doesn't know so therefore anything Israeli is fair game hence the removal of goods from our supermarkets due to intimidation when the goods may have originated in the UK. I do not therefore agree with Israel Apartheid Week and boycotting anything and everything that is thought to be from Israel when there is no proof. Some behaviour by activists is tantamount to being anti Semetic behaviour if they demand the removal of all Kosher goods on the 'supposition' they feel it is from Israel. This includes Labour MP's who join them. They are not really interested in where it comes from it is Kosher that's all that matters. I do not like the BDS either irrespective of who belongs to it.

POGS Thu 24-Mar-16 20:03:10

Whitewave. 22/3/16. 16.47

This is not political point scoring against the Labour Party. This is current news and it concerns the Labour Party. Do you say the thread headed 'Tory Party Bullying' is political point scoring, of course not, not because you are left wing but that is exactly what it is about. Instead of making accusations of political point scoring on that thread I posted a rational post, that's what discussion debate is about. It is obviously a concern within Labour if so many of their own MP's acknowledge there is a need for the Baroness Royal Inquiry into allegations of Anti Semitism. She may totally exonerate the party , who knows. Point scoring my backside. It must be a shock to some to see a thread that concerns the Labour Party ' for once ' but for heavens sake look at the widely known, easy to find information available to accept this is current affairs and this is not the Labour Party Activists Forum it is News and Politics.

So yes I am vehemently denying my OP was point scoring

Your last sentence was ironic. It is precisely because we do know the 'dreadful historical connotations' of Anti Semitism that it must be /should be stopped from rearing it's ugly head once more. It is a good thing Labour are prepared to debate Anti Semitism but it seems to me the far left/activists simply refuse to acknowledge it may be happening or on the rise. That to me is more dangerous and far more worrying than being accused of political point scoring.

whitewave Thu 24-Mar-16 20:07:17

You've been busy POGS. Still it keeps the thread going.