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Anti Semitism in Labour Party and Universities.

(631 Posts)

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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.

nigglynellie Sun 27-Mar-16 18:44:54

You were the one who suggested that it was Jews ab hence my comment, I didn't realise that you were just being provocative - again!!

Ana Sun 27-Mar-16 18:38:15

Seriously?

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 18:16:52

Me thinks out of this thread,

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 18:16:23

Really nigglenellie, really and truely? I didn't know that

nigglynellie Sun 27-Mar-16 18:05:53

The Romans actually crucified Christ. Yes others whispered in their ears, but the final decision was Romes, Tiberius to be precise.

granjura Sun 27-Mar-16 17:45:02

That, simply:

www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/704673549674155/

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 17:27:53

Forgot to ask sorry, POGS , what has Christianity have to do with anti semitism? I hope you were thinking of the old - the Jews crucified Christ, offensive any time but at Easter ?

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 17:18:20

POGS, you obviously took little interest in the NI peace talks , quite true that you doubt Mo told me doesn't bother me in the slightest

Yes you did contribute posts on the Tory party bullying thread , and I have never said there is no anti semitism in the Labour Party, I do believe your thread title to be misleading, ok ?

Venus Sun 27-Mar-16 17:17:51

Well said POGS!

Venus Sun 27-Mar-16 17:15:04

Another point to ponder before we leave this subject is:

Despite enormous per capital financial aid, a Palestinian State established today, would be unable to stand on its own two feet economically. and would remain inextricably tied to Israel economically, making it a sovereign state in name only.

POGS Sun 27-Mar-16 16:53:52

Anniebach

Aaah, so we must go on your hear say and a private conversation you inform us you had when it comes to your' statement ' re Mo Mowlam. Not sure that works for me to be honest, not that you will be bothered I'm sure. It is however a tenuous connection to make such a strong statement without the proof you ask of others so many times. I wondered why I could find no trace of it ever being said. confused

I agree you have not debated but it is a shame . I mentioned the thread on Tory Party Bullying to which I contributed a post saying it was a disgrace . When you cannot defend the indefensible it is better to acknowledge it happens rather than defend at all costs. Each to their own.

Again I repeat, I started this thread on a current affairs topic which was to do with Labour, in this instance. . If we went along the lines you would have us do then threads such as 'Tory Party Bullying' would be better off discussing bullying not specific to one party. You can't have your cake and eat it just because your party is the party in question.

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 16:31:42

Little point in debating it POGS, in my opinion a thread on anti semitism would be more acceptable and not one choosing one party , quite natural that a party member would defend such an allegation, not to deny it doesn't exist , just disliking something as evil as racism attached to one party

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 16:25:13

POGS, Mo told me she had been accused of being an IRA sympathiser, I doubt our conversations will be found on the Internet. Perhaps there may be something you can find relating to Mo visiting The Maze and what some claimed then

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 16:22:06

I see no difference between anti semitism and racism unless one is not permitted to say the Jews are a race

No one us shouting you down Venus just disagreeing with you and I think your claims that MSF would lie is wrong

POGS Sun 27-Mar-16 16:18:52

Anniebach

You have repeated how vile you think this thread is yet after posters tried to shut it down you and Penstemmon reignited the flame.

You may have wanted 'the last word' Annie but to get offensive all over again is a bit ridiculous and I note you only make statements not engage in any depth of debate.

What do you think of John McDonnell 's statement I wonder?
Do you think it is fair play to call a Jewish person Zio?
Do you agree with shops being targeted because they sell lawful goods , not necessarily food items only?
Would you refuse to share a platform to debate with another person simply because they are 'a Jew'.

I find pacifism and Christianity an inigma and I wonder at times how a persons mind works. What do you think of the 'HAMAS COVENANT ' that stipulates a want for 'DEATH TO ALL JEWS'. Do you agree with Stop The War and the fact they call Hamas and Hezbollah 'Our Friends'? I have watched thread after thread for years so I am sure the rhetoric will follow ' if you don't talk you get no where'. Perhaps we could have a whip round and send Mr. Corbyn to Daesh for a ruddy chat. That's what I gather some think is all that is necessary.

Venus Sun 27-Mar-16 16:18:34

I have never suggested that the Labour leader is an anti semite, but his 'friends' are. He wouldn't want to appear guilty by association.

Venus Sun 27-Mar-16 16:12:35

And why has the word 'racism' crept into this, when we're supposed to be discussing anti semitism?

rosesarered Sun 27-Mar-16 16:06:25

Good informative post POGS there is a problem within the party that the leaders will have to root out. I hope everyone will at least agree with that.
(won't hold my breath emoji needed.)

Venus Sun 27-Mar-16 16:03:10

Don't need your sorrow, thanks, Annibach, I assume you mean anti semitism, not racism, has affected me. True, it has. I stand up to it.

Palestinians in Israel are treated well, it's the one's under the control of Hamas that are badly treated because they only care about power, not the people. That is why they hide behind innocent civilans by storing weapons in 'soft' targets like the hospital and schools.

There's anti semitism everywhere, but one worries when the Labour leader has a tendancy to form friendships with people who are consider undersirables, to put it mildly.

Everyone has a right to air their opinions, I'm all for it and I shall air mine even if four people in particular try to shout me down.

POGS Sun 27-Mar-16 15:53:34

Anniebach

Who said Mo Molam was a terrorist sympathiser/had terrorist friends.? You have said this before and I cannot find out who/what/where it comes from. I am not saying this is not true I am interested who said it.

For those who are baffled as to the OP , this was a current affairs issue spoken of for days , infact it has been talked of for quite a while but escalated over the Oxford Labour Students Union allegations of Anti Semitism.. It's very easy to find. I suggest googling the following.

Labour MP. Shabana Mahmood Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP. John Mann Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP. Wes Streeting Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP. Andy Burnham Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP Ivan Lewis Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP Rachael Reeves Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP Michael Dugher Labour Anti Semitism
Labour MP Yvette Cooper Labour Anti Semitism
Lord Levi. Need I go on and on !.

That's why I said previously that whilst the grass roots seemingly do not accept there is a problem, as witnessed on this thread also, at least the Parliamentary Labour Party do. The so called grass roots / activists it would appear are proud of their behaviour and see it as a badge of honour. Whether it be the likes of Shabana Mahmood joining Anti Israel demonstrations or the likes of the many others and their Anti Semetic tweets, it's an issue and to say it is not happening is falsifying the truth.

My problem is there is a factual case to be made that goods produced in the Occupied Territories are not permitted but goods from Israel are perfectly legal under European Union Law and Israel is a member of The World Trade Organisation. War on Want, Stop The War , BDS are favoured by Corbyn , McDonnell, Abbot and sponsor Israel Apartheid week if I am not mistaken.

I note John McDonnell has in the last few days made a statement ( Google John McDonnel ' I'm not having it '.). It's not a joke and it's not a right wing press story, read it for yourselves. He says "LABOUR PARTY MEMBERS WHO EXPRESS ANTI SEMETC VIEWS SHOULD BE EXPELLED WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF RETURN" amid calls for the Labour Party to take stronger action following 'a series' of damaging allegations. Independent Newspaper 24th March 2016 amongst many others.

As for the Universities how can it be said there is no problem when Labour have the Baroness Royal Inquiry into Anti Semitism in the Labour Youth Wing. Oxford University / London School of Economics etc . A point was raised earlier in the thread that many Jewish people are abhorred by the violation by Israel over the Occupied Territories. I too have said I believe this is wrong. I also think Hamas and Hezbollah are equally guilty of doing harm. I asked then if the Students refuse , because of their Anti Semetic behaviour, to even share a platform with anybody who is Jewish the likes of Albert Einstein could be a target of their puerile, narrow minded Anti Semetic behaviour. As for calling Jewish students Zios the preferred term of Jew by the Ku Klux Klan etc. we are witnessing a nasty, sub culture developing and I hope Baroness Royall does not try to seep it under the carpet.

Out of interest I am not Jewish either.

nigglynellie Sun 27-Mar-16 15:27:20

It went off piste almost straight away, that's why!!!!!

Anniebach Sun 27-Mar-16 15:23:24

Could it be because you have posted on a thread of twenty pages the title - anti semitism and the Labour Party and universities ?

nigglynellie Sun 27-Mar-16 15:13:12

I doubt very much that I shall be following you, why on earth would I want to hear about Corbyns attitude to racism?!!!!

Penstemmon Sun 27-Mar-16 15:09:38

that Corbyn would consine racism in any form!

Penstemmon Sun 27-Mar-16 15:08:56

If the only thing that you want to hear is that Corbyn is anti semetic you won't hear it from me. I will denounce racists but I have no evidence that that is a fact..