Thread by @habibi_uk

Labour has every reason to go after the far fringes, not least because that is where it will find enemies, not friends.

Consider last Friday’s anti-Israel in demonstration in Bradford, organised by Arshad Ali. See him rail about Bradford’s Labour-controlled council. 1/8

The council “created every obstacle they could” for the rally, he claims. “We refuse! We stand in solidarity with Mr Corbyn!”

He adds that he has been rejected by Labour (good!) and is "in exile".

Well, the council was right to be concerned, if Ali’s claims are true. 2/8

At one point, the disgraced former MP and awful antisemite David Ward was listed as a speaker at this rally. So was "Lowkey" (TBC), a raging Hamas fan and ridiculous 9/11 truther. 3/8

In the end, the crowd had to make do with the nasty Islamist activist Salma Yaqoob, among others. Corbyn chatted amiably with her at the event. 4/8

Mind you, though, Arshad Ali does try hard. In the clip, he says "we welcome Mr Galloway, sorry, Mr Corbyn to Bradford". He stumbled because he was one of Galloway's key Bradford "Respect" wreckers. And yes, he too is an antisemite. 5/8

https://twitter.com/habibi_uk/status/1414980270370000910

So no wonder he is bitter. Very bitter. Happily for Arshad, that Jeremy balm does soothe. 6/8

Labour has turned a blind eye to its people speaking at countless Israel hatred events, from early May right up to this rally. Even though the movement brims with people who have nothing but contempt for today's party. 7/8
bradfordsocialists.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/cor…

You see, the frontbencher Imran Hussain MP and Richard Burgon MP did speak at the rally.

The fringe proscription move, if overdue, is very welcome. But action is needed all the way up to the PLP level if Labour is truly to extricate itself from Corbynism's hateful swamp. 8/8