Diane Abbott suspended from the Labour Party

I have read the original published letter and her apology.

I think Ms Abbott would benefit from History lessons.

Tried to find a definition or "race" and come to the conclusion there is none. This came from the encyclopedia Britanica "Thus, race has never in the history of its use had a precise meaning." So you say Jewish is a race or you can say it is not. It depends on your definition of race.

Well said tickingbird it's just a shame that in 2023 it needs to be said at all.

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I don’t care what Google says. Being Jewish is a race. We have been persecuted for centuries. It’s nothing to do with religion. You can’t just stop being Jewish. Many, many Jews don’t follow any organised religion but they’re still Jews. The nazis wanted to rid the planet of Jews regardless of any religious following. Anti sémitism is alive and not just well but flourishing and hypocrites abound.

According to the BBC though, ‘The Jewish Labour Movement - an organisation of Labour-supporting Jewish members - said it "regretfully" supported the party's decision.’

She overstepped the mark quite clearly, if even that movement said suspending her was the right thing to do.

She is left wing. Starmer will do his best to get her out of "his" Labour party.

An apology isn’t enough. She should never have made the comment, should have known better. If Starmer is serious about eradicating antisemitism from his party he will sack her.

Diane rightly apologised. Starmer Labour has an hierarchy of racism, Forde Report 163 recommendations not implemented nor acknowledged by Starmer.
Starmer getting rid of left jew anti racist Jews from his party.

Welcome suspension, its an insensitive remark that would incur suspension if it were eg about BAME communities.Fair's fair. BUT if Jews are not a race (what's in a name?) as a quick google suggests is true, then racism in its narrow sense doesn't apply to jewish prejudice. That's religious intolerance surely? & race monitoring forms don't usually include judaic as an option because most will tick white, irish, indian subcontinent etc etc

Discrimination is not about who suffers discrimination worse. Any discrimination is wrong no matter which direction it is in. Black against white, women against men, Jews against Germans it is still wrong.

I agree Smileless. Totally unacceptable.

Oh dear. I think to say this is staggering is an understatement NanaDana. Hopefully her suspension is the first step on the road to her resignation or dismissal.