Thread by @steveygAFC

This thread is sparked by HackneyNorth CLP’s motion to reject the idea that Labour is institutionally antisemitic. @MaajidNawaz
@Euanphilipps
@Lucianaberger
@ayeshahazarika
@ruthsmeeth
@margarethodge @andrewspooner
@make_trouble @iandunt
@dpjhodges @Danish_Karen
@JewishChron

This thread is sparked by HackneyNorth CLP’s motion to reject the idea that Labour is institutionally antisemitic.
@jeremycorbyn
@eddiemarson
@Ed_Miliband
@peoplesmomentum
@Gillianlazarus
@supergutman
@joanryanEnfield
@RachelRileyRR
@JackEDeakin
@jessphillips @JewishLabour

This thread is sparked by Hackney North CLP’s motion to reject the idea that Labour is institutionally antisemitic.
@jeremycorbyn
@eddiemarson
@Ed_Miliband
@peoplesmomentum
@Gillianlazarus
@supergutman
@joanryanEnfield
@RachelRileyRR
@JackEDeakin
@jessphillips @MsJulieLenarz

This thread is sparked by Hackney North CLP’s motion to reject the idea that Labour is institutionally antisemitic. @SCynic1 @Mrjamesob
@78SoylentGreen
@almurray
@LabouragainstAS
@Antisemitismout
@DavidLammy @JewishNewsUK @AyoCaesar @leekern13 @MikeGapes @mishtal @patrickmoule

Anti-semitism, as per all form of racism, is insidious. The visible & tangible elements of any form of racism, or other form of hate, are often merely the tip of the iceberg. 1/20

As any group who are the target of hate know, be they Blacks or Asians, Muslims, Eastern Europeans, LGBT, or any group different from the mainstream of society, the hate proceeds in a gradual, subtle way, but ultimately very harmful way. 2/20

No one, or no group is immune from being guilty of accentuating or participating in racism. We rarely are aware of our own actions when we act unconsciously as cheerleaders for it. I would not dare to exempt myself from this, purely because I am human. 3/20

In this more enlightened age, I hope we are more able to however recognise and see, more so than ever before. However seeing this motion passed by Hackney North CLP, just shows how easily racial hatred can be ignored, dismissed and excused. 4/20

The hurt of any group, who feel the victims of hatred should never be dismissed. I would never seek to accuse Blacks, Asians, Muslims, Poles, or any other group of effectively constructing the hurt they feel for some sort of political agenda. 5/20

It may be that those on the right of politics may more easily play that game, it is breathtaking to see those on the left of politics, who have traditionally led the fight against this, fall into this trap. It demonstrates how no one is immune. 6/20

The Hackney North CLP motion demonstrates the classic Cognitive Dissonance which has been on display increasingly throughout parts of the Labour Party. In their minds, they cannot be racist in anyway, so therefore there must be an agenda by others. 7/20

It is against that backdrop they can use the stats they have to demonstrate their innocence. Using stats to defend against claims of institutional racism, is completely misleading & intellectually dishonest. 8/20

It is easy to stay the Stephen Lawrence murder was one incident, yet it was the aftermath and the way it was dealt with which showed how the Metropolitan police was institutionally racist. 9/20

When the Labour party took a sharp turn to the far left, incidents & claims of Anti-semitism rose sharply. The parallels to the Stephan Lawrence are clear to see. The sham internal amtisemitism inquiry, the obfuscation, denial, agenda accusations. 10/20

These are all present in the Hackney North CLP motion, they were clear in Liverpool Wavertree CLP, they were crystal clear in the Momentum meeting which gratefully applauded Chris Williamson’s words last week. 11/20

It’s not lost on me, and many others, the paradox of how the more Labour dismisses itself from the claims of Institutional Antisemitism, the more it entrenched Institutional Antisemitic becomes within the Labour Party. 12/20

Racism, always has 3 victims not 1. The other victims are the perpetrator and society more broadly. Racism is a cancer which eats away from the inside. Is there any clearer sign of that, than what is currently happening to what was once a great political party. 13/20

In our society, hatred and bigotry, are growing at an alarming pace in this country and beyond. It has always been said that Anti-Semitism is the ‘canary in the coalmine’ which highlights a dangerous and noxious turn in society. 14/20

Jo Cox is proof you do not have to be Black, Asian, Eastern European, Jewish or Muslim to be the victim of racism. Racism and bigotry eats away at society and affects all parts of it. Everyone is a victim, but some are more victim than others ‘at first’. 15/20

The Labour Party has always been the bulwark towards hate in this country, but that has changed. They themselves now have become infected with hate. So who will now be there to stand up for other victims of hate, as it continues to rise. 16/20

I have attached a copy of the North Hackney CLP motion below. I hope that in some small way, this thread wakes some of those up, who don’t have racism in their heart, but are yet are quietly complicit in making it happen. 17/20

I will leave you with the poem by German Priest Martin Niemöller, ‘First they came........’, which describes the process of the rise of hate in Germany through the 1920s. ( it is on 2 separate tweets). 18/20

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist 19

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

The message of this thread is please wake up, the mirror is showing the Labour Party a reflection, but many don’t want to see!! 20/20