A few people have asked what, if anything, Jeremy Corbyn could do to defuse the current antisemitism issue. Here are some thoughts. (Thread)— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
He might consider giving a speech. But for such a speech to succeed it would need to do a few, very difficult things.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
It would need to be personal and self-critical. On the mural, he would need to admit that he looked at a nakedly antisemitic image and could not see the racism. That his response to hearing it was coming down was to ask, "Why?"— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
He would need to admit that he was an active member of three separate Facebook groups drenched in anti-Jewish imagery and themes and yet said nothing. He would need to explain how, to quote a colleague, he stood knee-deep in a sewer and somehow didn't notice the stink.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
He would need to admit that he was an active member of three separate Facebook groups drenched in anti-Jewish imagery and themes and yet said nothing. He would need to explain how, to quote a colleague, he stood knee-deep in a sewer and somehow didn't notice the stink.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
He would need to admit that, for some reason, he has repeatedly stood with or defended antisemites, including Holocaust deniers and 9/11 conspiracy theorists shunned by the wider left (Some details on the Sizer and Eisen cases here) https://t.co/HJ1F4k3yXL— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
That he has an extensive and documented record of looking past antisemitism if it comes from a source he deems sound on Israel/Palestine - and that this is a habit shared by others on the left— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
He would need to reckon with all that – and he would need to say that many of his closest allies have repeatedly got this issue wrong too.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
That, for example, Len McCluskey was wrong to dismiss complaints of antisemitism as “mood music” - and that others are wrong to suggest now that Jews are making this stuff up, or exaggerating it or “weaponising” it to damage him.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
Indeed he would need to say that such a claim is itself antisemitic because it suggests Jews do not act sincerely, but always with an ulterior motive or hidden agenda.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
He would need to accept that current Jewish anguish is real - and that he has played a part in causing it.— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
Such a speech would be very hard for any politician to give. It would require soul-searching and honesty. But his supporters insist he is a truly extraordinary, almost saintly man. So maybe he is capable of it (ends)— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) March 26, 2018
Jew suggests Jeremy Corbyn should make another grovelling speech of apology to Jews. This arguably incites antisemitism. https://t.co/zHVoXAfwL5— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Jew tells Jeremy Corbyn, practically a commie, should apologise for not denouncing a mural critical of capitalism and usury. This arguably incites antisemitism. https://t.co/myuVjQomzP— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Jew presumes to tell leader of Labour Party whom he may or may not speak to on social media. This arguably incites antisemitism since it could be used as evidence that Jews control everything. https://t.co/WpFVvEqJKe— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Jew calls for total capitulation of leader of opposition to Jews. Cowardly Corbyn will not be able to question existence of Holocaust denial laws or point out that many people believe 9/11 false flag operation to give NATO excuse to kick-start neocon wars. Incites antisemitism. https://t.co/0FXWFiIC2y— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Apparently, this sentence is antisemitic: “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those of various self-styled Islamic states or organisations.” Is the truth antisemitic?— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-antisemitism-labour-row-report-compares-israel-government-isis-islamic-states-a7110931.html
Jews who assimilate and become liberals should not be counted as Jews, especially if they are not shomer Shabbat. Observant and Orthodox Jews should be very rigorous about whom they acknowledge as Jews, especially if they are liberal assimilated Jews who give Jews a bad name.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
The very high standards of Jewish speech are explained at https://t.co/M45OKT78jo The great thing about the sin of Lashon Hara is that the very act of saying someone might be guilty of this is to be guilty of it yourself! I trust both Jews and gentiles will reflect on this.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Even @RabbiYMizrachi admits all Jews however Orthodox have at some time in their lives intentionally broken the Sabbath. Why not have an attendance register at shul and the rule that three misses and you're dead to Judaism? Resurrection/readmission requires passing a Torah test.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
You cannot be ever considered shomer Shabbat if you support any proposal that would lower moral standards below the minimum required by the Seven Noahide laws. You must of course know all of them without having to look them up, if you are really shomer Shabbat.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
As well as the duty to the gentile to protect him from lowering his moral standards to that below the minimum requirements of the Seven Noahide Laws, the Jew must make it a point to identify and seek out anyone who does so and publicly denounce him or her as an Amalek.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Jews will not be required to carry out their religious duty to exterminate the Amalek in gentile lands and will only be allowed to do so in Israel when it becomes a theocracy. Once identified, it will be the business of the gentile to deal with the Amalek in his own way.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
How should the Amalek be dealt with by gentiles? I do not propose execution or extermination, merely re-education or at the most public denunciation as a subversive so that they are kept from acquiring influence and power.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
Can Jews themselves be Amaleks? I think they can be guilty of aiding and abetting the Amalek or even instigating him. What should be their punishment? It should be no harsher and no lighter to that meted out to the Amalek.— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
As well as the religious duty of Jews being a blessing in gentile lands by being a kind of Inspector of Moral Standards and Denouncer of Amaleks, the shomer Shabbat Jew must be seen to observe the rules against Lashon Hara described at https://t.co/M45OKT78jo— Claire Khaw (@MinimumSt8) March 27, 2018
