As the battle against Corbyn & his followers is (almost) won - the polls show 94% of @UKLabour members are behind Starmer, the EHRC report will likely say the party was institutionally antisemitic & the Party will adopt its recommendations - the issue is how Jews deal with
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the fight against antisemitism going forward.
It’s time to stop attacking each other for perceived lack of support, daring to dissent or - worst of all - being a convert. I have 5 suggestions:
1. Accept there isn’t only one answer to anything but the most basic questions.
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It’s time to stop attacking each other for perceived lack of support, daring to dissent or - worst of all - being a convert. I have 5 suggestions:
1. Accept there isn’t only one answer to anything but the most basic questions.
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Tolerate difference & dissent. If you disagree it doesn’t mean anyone else is wrong. Disagree on the issues. Point out you’re the vast majority. Critique the approach. But bringing in extraneous issues - gender, conversion, age, religion are a no-no. Some people hate Jews,
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& some Jews hate other Jews enough to ally with Jew haters. If so, it’s still better to deal with the substance than to move to a personal attack.
2. For goodness’ sake don’t fight about the credit. It’s a job that needed to be done. That’s it. Tactics can differ.
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2. For goodness’ sake don’t fight about the credit. It’s a job that needed to be done. That’s it. Tactics can differ.
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We’ll never know if something didn’t work at all. If it worked a little bit, that’s enough.
3. Don’t ever call anyone a traitor. Don’t say “with me or against me” - adult life isn’t so childishly binary. Don’t think your enemy’s enemy is your friend.
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3. Don’t ever call anyone a traitor. Don’t say “with me or against me” - adult life isn’t so childishly binary. Don’t think your enemy’s enemy is your friend.
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4. Don’t insist on having an enemy. Once the EHRC Report is published the antisemites will be far less relevant - giving them oxygen when they might otherwise be unnoticed may not be the best strategy.
5. Don’t ever judge loyalty. People are loyal to family, friends &
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5. Don’t ever judge loyalty. People are loyal to family, friends &
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- contractually - institutions. Once you get beyond that, loyalty can often be a pointless concept. Jews, particularly, have always argued about how best to be Jewish, how to protect themselves and what should be protected. Disregarding the views of others,
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or insisting on your own priorities, is intolerant & fundamentally un-Jewish. Better to ask what motivates someone & obey the religious obligation to judge kindly. It doesn’t stop disagreement but it should focus discussion on the issue & not some idiotic notion of betrayal.
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