Corbyn's Magnetism

Listening to the Radio 4's Today this morning I have no sympathy at all for the highly politicised Jews who are using this 6 year old story to attack Labour and Corbyn in particular. It is simply politics.

I have great sympathy for the what Jews have suffered over centuries as I have for the Cathars of Carcassonne and the Palestinian's of the current day. Persecution on the grounds of religion or race has happened and still does happen daily and we should, indeed, stand for the rights of all people treated in this way. We should stand up against the abduction of girls in Africa and the bombing of children in Syria. Race and religion should not be a reason for attack.

This story is not about this sort of persecution. It is about the use of an old story that has nothing directly to do with Labour or Corbyn, about a picture that was taken down six years ago and a comment that Corbyn made before he was leader of the LP. He has apologised for any hurt that anti-Semitism within his party has caused. He was not being anti-Semitic nor was that the intention of the artist.

This is purely about politics. Why else is it being made so much of by the right-wing MSM just before and local elections that the Tories might well loose. As others have said these issues exist in all parties but where is the outcry about what was said years ago by Tories. This is about attacking a particular party and it's particular leader and I no longer believe the wringing of hands we are seeing. I will not contribute to this topic any more other than to say that if sympathy is wearing thin for me - and I have a great deal - this politicisation will mean it wears thin for others too and, I repeat, I worry that in the long run, will only harm the causes we would all fight for.

This will all calm down after May elections and start up again before the following elections.

It was ever thus.

Message from the artist

pbs.twimg.com/media/DZDU5DxXUAAjx9M?format=jpg

These accusations of widespread anti-semitism in the Labour Party continue and now it has been implied that anyone who supports Labour condones anti-semitism.

Historically, Conservative MPs have been at the forefront of several racist groups, starting with the strongly anti-semitic British Brothers League, January Club and The Right Club and finally the Monday Club in 1961, which campaigned for repatriation of immigrants.

A few days ago I posted fairly contemporary examples of several very clear and unequivocally racist, including anti-semitic, remarks made by Conservative MPs and councillors. Those who attacked, and continue to attack, the Labour Party, alleging widespread anti-semitism, made no comment on any of these remarks, save brushing them off as a diversionary tactic.

The Race Relations Act was brought in by Labour in 1965. Due to Conservative opposition, intended protections against housing and employment discrimination could not be included. In 1976 the Labour Party amended the Race Relations Act to outlaw discrimination in housing, employment and other areas. The Conservative Party has been reluctant to introduce anti-discriminatory legislation in relation to the Hindu caste system, and Priti Patel and Bob Blackman have strongly opposed such legislation.

To those offended by #PredictTheNextCorbynSmear; only 8% of MPs signed the five UK parliamentary motions that condemned antisemitism and Jeremy Corbyn signed EVERY SINGLE ONE.

Corbyn's wife is a tax avoider! No, my mistake. It was Theresa May's husband. #PredictTheNextCorbynSmear t.co/p3PsnvUd4N

Jeremy Corbyn has ordered for all wheat fields to be ploughed so no one can ever again run through a wheat field.. #PredictTheNextCorbynSmear

Harry Leslie Smith
@Harryslaststand
In secret he listens to old recordings of Lord Haw Haw. #PredictTheNextCorbynSmear

@Rachael_Swindon Jeremy Corbyn is undermining British farmers and businesses by growing his own vegetables, and making his own jam. #PredictTheNextCorbynSmear

Jeremy Corbyn routinely sends pots of homemade jam to the Kremlin in exchange for Venezuelan spies that set up home in the Czech Republic after ISIS kicked them out for being loyal to Kim Wrong 'Un. Reports The Sun. #PredictTheNextCorbynSmear

Which, lemongrove, they are entitled to say as an opinion. However, there has been no censorship case or anything similar against this mural it has just been some people's views forced on others and, as we have seen on here, it is not more and more difficult to present a rational argument.

When on the BBC or other MSM channels have you seen them say "the mural which has been seen as anti-Semitic." When has anyone explained why they think that it is. Who, what body decided it was so without doubt that our news readers, etc., must put it in that way.

Exactly the same attack happened in 2016, April, before the referendum and before Corbyn's re-election.
You'd think his opponents would give up by now. It obviously got him more votes.

Peston On Sunday .....Keir Starmer and Peston both saying how grotesque and anti-semitic the mural is.

I'd like to see May say something similar, after what she said about Labour party members.

It's a good statement Jen. Covers everything that needs to be said and nothing that doesn't.

For once Corbyn has done the right thing GGM2 and not the wrong thing, (as you say).

Not quite lemongrove but why change the habits of a lifetime and report back people's posts accurately.

As incoming GS I fully support this statement from @jeremycorbyn & look forward to working with him, with Jewish organisations & with the NEC to ensure our complaints & disciplinary procedures are robust, transparent & fair. There is no place for antisemitism within our movement.

There is to be a demo outside .parliment tomorrow against anti semitism. Corbyn has apologise this evening for the pockets of anti semitism within the Labour Party

Ironic.

Now that I am saying that Corbyn has responded in the right way, some are still arguing with that comment.

For once Corbyn has done the right thing GGM2 and not the wrong thing, (as you say).

And that's okay, is it, lemongrove?

I notice no comment about Charlie Hebdo.

Thanks for the twitter link Jen. Have I missed something or is there actually no mention of the picture. I do hope so.

If the mural had depicted Muslims in that appalling way it would have only lasted a week, if that!

I'm afraid I think Corbyn is wrong to bow to this but the attacks have been so continuous that I can see why he is. It's a shame but he could never get a reasoned view over in the MSM.