Labour removing the example from the IHRA definition of antisemitism... "denying Jewish people the right to self-determination, eg by claiming the existence of Israel is a racist endeavour" allows people to be antisemitic.
This is why. Thread. 1/
This is why. Thread. 1/
Claiming Israel is a racist "endeavour" is not a critique of Israeli "policy" as Jennie Formby's letter to the PLP states it is. Nor is it a critique of the "Israeli state" as the letter claims - where there is undoubtably racism and discrimination. 2/ 
It is a critique of the endeavour. The *idea* of a state of Israel.
In Britain 93% of Jews claim that endeavour/idea to be part of their identity but many of them, particularly those on the left, are big critics of Israeli policy and sections of Israeli society. 3/
In Britain 93% of Jews claim that endeavour/idea to be part of their identity but many of them, particularly those on the left, are big critics of Israeli policy and sections of Israeli society. 3/
Not all of them are even what some pejoratively call "Zionists." The vast majority of Jewish people have a natural affinity & empathy for their forebearers who needed to get out of dodge during the pogroms and the Holocaust. 4/
Claiming the existence of Israel is a racist "endeavour" directly leads to the vast majority of Jews being indicted as racists.
It is antisemitism.
IHRA definition was drawn up to protect Jews from this form of antisemitism.
Labour has shockingly removed that protection. 5/
It is antisemitism.
IHRA definition was drawn up to protect Jews from this form of antisemitism.
Labour has shockingly removed that protection. 5/
Over the last three years Jewish people in Labour have consistently been targeted and singled out as racists, "apologists for apartheid" and "genocide" for believing - through no fault of their own - that Jews had to flee Europe and build their own society.
This is antisemitism.
This is antisemitism.
The consequences of removing that example from the IHRA definition are huge. It provides cover for the sort of extremism exhibited by some in Labour which target all but a minority of anti-Zionist Jews and seeks to remove them from the "community of the good." 7/
As but one example: the last Labour conference at a Jewish Voice for Labour/FSOI meeting, Miko Peled insisted that Zionists should be no-platformed in the same way neo-Nazis are no-platformed. It was defended by JVL.
This is antisemitism. 8/
This is antisemitism. 8/
The IHRA definition wasn't written off the hoof. It took people, who knew a thing or two about antisemitism, a long time to come up with those examples. They chose the word "endeavour" for a specific and carefully considered reason. 9/
If anyone needs an example of how those now in control of Labour have a complete and sometimes wilful lack of understanding of contemporary antisemitism, this is it.
If Labour needs political education on antisemitism it needs to start at the top.
Sort it out ffs.
ENDS/
If Labour needs political education on antisemitism it needs to start at the top.
Sort it out ffs.
ENDS/
