The claim that Corbyn personally capitulated over the IHRA examples is not just untrue but the opposite of the truth. Relative to other prominent elements within the Corbyn movement, Corbyn was the most stubborn opponent of adopting the examples.
But it's also untrue to claim that either Corbyn or his leadership 'always fought back' against smears. On the contrary: the leadership, its outriders, etc., often made unprincipled concessions to the 'antisemitism crisis' campaign that also turned out to be imprudent.
Aug 20 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
@_JennyMcKiernan Hi Jenny, there are errors in this article:
(1) To label the IHRA definition 'the internationally accepted standard' is an editorialised opinion, not a fact. Most states have not adopted the definition. The UN...bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
has not adopted the definition. And a broad consensus of international human rights groups, such as Amnesty and HRW, has opposed the definition.
(2) IHRA doesn't give examples of 'antisemitic acts' but of acts that 'could, taking into account the overall context' be antisemitic.
Jul 17 • 19 tweets • 6 min read
The antisemitism "report" by Lord Mann and Dame Mordaunt is barely longer than their Telegraph op-ed promoting it.
Excluding the Forewords, Executive Summary, & Recommendations, the entire "report" runs to... 2.5 pages.
Link: bod.org.uk/bod-news/commi…
May 28 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
First the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (@TheIHRA) enabled Israel's genocide by helping smear valid criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
Now @TheIHRA plays host to straight-up genocidal incitement and genocide denial from a wanted fugitive:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his appearance this week’s speech before @TheIHRA Minister's Conference to condemn the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for his arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
May 22 • 18 tweets • 4 min read
The facts surrounding the Washington Embassy shooting are still emerging, but some more general observations may be made:
Israeli officials have wasted no time in, first, characterising the attack as antisemitic, and second, blaming it on critics of Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Even Sir Keir Starmer—whose government has armed Israel throughout its criminal onslaught—did not escape this censure.
Jan 26, 2024 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
ICJ initial reaction:
1. @normfinkelstein and @MouinRabbani called it right. Dispute? Yes. Plausible case? Yes. Emergency measures? Yes. Ceasefire? No.
2. Two aspects that surprised me:
- That the Court called out genocidal statements by specific, named Israeli leaders
- How lopsided were the votes. 15-2!
Feb 10, 2023 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
When Zelensky visited, Labour said we have to speak with “one voice” supporting Ukraine and Sunak “agreed”. The BBC reported that, during his speech, Zelensky was “bathed in sunlight”.
In the press conference afterwards, the only “critical” questions demanded to know why Ukraine wasn’t getting more fighter jets and sooner. One BBC Ukraine journalist physically embraced the President, prompting another reporter to request a hug of her own.
Nov 30, 2020 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
Last week @NadiaWhittomeMP alleged that a 'wholly unacceptable' 'atmosphere and tone' in a Nottingham East CLP meeting had led to 'a Jewish member . . . feeling they had no choice but to leave', while immediately after said meeting its Chair was suspended.
A Jewish Chronicle article similarly reported that 'the atmosphere' had been 'so hostile that a Jewish member said he felt he had to leave'. thejc.com/news/uk/labour…
A Jewish Chronicle article similarly reported that 'the atmosphere' had been 'so hostile that a Jewish member said he felt he had to leave'. thejc.com/news/uk/labour…