Thread by @GarySpedding

Responding to the current crisis surrounding antisemitism by focussing solely on the notion that it’s all a partisan attack on the Labour left helps reinforce a self-defeating narrative in which people continue to believe there isn’t a need to tackle antisemitism as it’s all fake

This is absolutely the wrong way to go about this protracted and thorny issue - if leftists reflect for a moment and understand that if we make a real commitment to fighting antisemitism that it will go a long way to resolve the issue things will get better.

The best way to tackle any malicious, false or politicised attacks over antisemitism is for us to agree to actually tackle the antisemitism that does exist in our movement. It strengthens our position and allows for a more robust response to false allegations of antisemitism.

What the left urgently need to learn is that responding dismissively, accusing those raising concerns of being part of a ‘smear campaign’ and generally being utter dicks about the situation is hugely damaging and very hurtful to our Jewish compatriots and communities.

I say all of this as someone who is routinely attacked and labelled an antisemite for my work on the Israel-Palestine conflict. It is precisely because of the fact I’m vocal in calling out antisemitism that I’m capable of being a more effective campaigner overall on these issues

It honestly isn’t difficult to be a committed campaigner for Palestinian rights, liberation and justice, and at the same time roundly condemning antisemitism and antisemitic language that often crops up in pro-Palestinian circles.

Also, contrary to certain opinion, the vast majority of antisemitism within the left and inside the pro-Palestine movement comes from white people.

In particular, there are genuine antisemites who appropriate the Palestinian struggle in order to peddle conspiracy theories.

If you’re incapable of pushing for Palestinian rights & justice without resorting to lazy outdated tropes, misinformation, conspiracy theories and frankly appalling language then you really shouldn’t be part of the Palestine solidarity movement.

Antisemitism hurts everyone.

Whilst it may be true that there are relatively few antisemites in the Labour movement and even less in the Palestine solidarity movement the reality is that those who deny there is a problem are quite numerous. It’s the dismissive attitude & culture that’s a major problem today.

And as April Rosenblum has explained, another issue is that in a subject matter where Jews are far more visible, it attracts antisemites and gives space for the promotion of lazy outdated tropes as people struggle to articulate themselves on the matter and debate Israel-Palestine

If the left incorporates a radical opposition to antisemitism as a core part of our philosophy we will see a drastic improvement in our relationship with the Jewish community. It shouldn’t necessarily matter what our position on Israel-Palestine happens to be in this regard.

And those who reject the efforts of genuine anti-racists as we push back against antisemitism, and when those individuals / groups do so based solely on our position regarding Israel-Palestine, then it’s absolutely appropriate to be able to call out bad faith actors in this area.

The key is to be able to tell the difference between bad faith engagement (from all sides), call this out where we witness it, and recognise that the majority of concerns raised are genuine and in good faith.