Discussion:
[WSM_Forum] Labour and the IHRA
'alanjjohnstone@yahoo.co.uk' alanjjohnstone@yahoo.co.uk [WSM_Forum]
2018-09-04 22:16:32 UTC
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So Labour succumbs to the pressure and adopts in full the IHRA definition of anti-semitism.
 But what can we make of those protestors who waved Israeli national flags? 
There still remains Jewish disquiet of the caveat that approved a statement which “ensures this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians” yet rejecting  a rider put forward which argued it should not be “regarded as antisemitic to describe Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist”
Doesn't that indicate a certain bias that it is anti-Israelism, many of the Jewish demonstrators are concerned about despite the exaggerated hyperbole of those Jewish spokespersons who say there was an existential threat to Jewish communities and suggested a possible exodus from the UK?
Anyway it will only be a matter of time before pro-Palestinians will be at the receiving end of this capitulation when it comes to free speech and advocacy of BDS. 
We shall see which agenda really drove this so-called "controversy"
alan johnstone


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Fraser Anderson f_raz_1@hotmail.com [WSM_Forum]
2018-10-01 19:59:15 UTC
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Here we go the first use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) to shut down any criticism of Israel, however mild. This time used against the Board of Deputes.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/no-confidence-bid-after-board-vps-off-limits-nation-state-law-statement/
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Subject: [WSM_Forum] Labour and the IHRA


So Labour succumbs to the pressure and adopts in full the IHRA definition of anti-semitism.

But what can we make of those protestors who waved Israeli national flags?

There still remains Jewish disquiet of the caveat that approved a statement which “ensures this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel<https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Ftopic%2FIsrael&data=02%7C01%7C%7C8ac20543a98146b1cb2308d612b4177e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636716962026185440&sdata=LAUgroaZeBYv8L1QbQohfEjLpe1%2B1jVxr9V3Dc5AOWQ%3D&reserved=0> or the rights of Palestinians” yet rejecting a rider put forward which argued it should not be “regarded as antisemitic to describe Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist”

Doesn't that indicate a certain bias that it is anti-Israelism, many of the Jewish demonstrators are concerned about despite the exaggerated hyperbole of those Jewish spokespersons who say there was an existential threat to Jewish communities and suggested a possible exodus from the UK?

Anyway it will only be a matter of time before pro-Palestinians will be at the receiving end of this capitulation when it comes to free speech and advocacy of BDS.

We shall see which agenda really drove this so-called "controversy"

alan johnstone

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alan johnstone alanjjohnstone@yahoo.co.uk [WSM_Forum]
2018-10-01 23:39:07 UTC
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Many thanks for that link, Fraser. Blogged on SOYMB,http://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.com/2018/10/anti-semitism-in-jewish-board-of.html

Now we can see that the assurances that adoption of the IHRA definition would not be used to suppress debate about Israel was  false. If a Jewish Board of Deputies Vice-President is being attacked for breaching it - what hope has the gentile critics of Israel? 
 alan johnstone

From: "Fraser Anderson ***@hotmail.com [WSM_Forum]" <***@yahoogroups.com>
To: "***@yahoogroups.com" <***@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 2 October 2018, 3:14
Subject: Re: [WSM_Forum] Labour and the IHRA

Here we go the first use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) to shut down any criticism of Israel, however mild. This time used against the Board of Deputes.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/no-confidence-bid-after-board-vps-off-limits-nation-state-law-statement/
Fraser Anderson f_raz_1@hotmail.com [WSM_Forum]
2018-10-02 12:02:26 UTC
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Letter from Chomsky and Co to the Guardian you might be interested in:
"Flawed reporting on antisemitism claims against the Labour party

We have long had serious concerns about the lack of due impartiality and accuracy in the reporting of allegations of antisemitism against Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party. The recent report by the Media Reform Coalition<http://www.mediareform.org.uk/blog/new-mrc-research-finds-inaccuracies-and-distortions-in-media-coverage-of-antisemitism-and-the-labour-party> examining coverage of Labour’s revised code of conduct on antisemitism shows that we are right to be concerned.

The research examined over 250 articles and broadcast news segments and found over 90 examples of misleading or inaccurate reporting. In relation to the IHRA definition of antisemitism that was at the heart of the dispute, the research found evidence of “overwhelming source imbalance<http://www.mediareform.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Labour-anti-semitism-and-the-news-EXEC-SUM-FINAL-PROOFED.pdf>” in which critics of Labour’s code of conduct dominated coverage, with nearly 50% of Guardian reports, for example, failing to include any quotes from those defending the code or critiquing the IHRA definition. Moreover, key contextual facts about the IHRA definition – for example that it has only been formally adopted by eight countries (and only six of the IHRA member states) – were consistently excluded.

The researchers conclude these were not occasional lapses in judgment but “systematic reporting failures” that served to weaken the Labour<https://www.theguardian.com/politics/labour> leadership and to bolster its opponents within and outside of the party.

It is of course entirely appropriate and necessary for our major news outlets to report on the horrors of antisemitism, but wrong to present it as an issue specific to the Labour party.

In covering the allegations that Labour is now “institutionally antisemitic<https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/labour-s-new-guidelines-show-it-is-institutionally-antisemitic-1.466685>”, there have been inaccuracies, clear distortions and revealing omissions across our most popular media platforms. We believe that significant parts of the UK media have failed their audiences by producing flawed reports that have contributed to an undeserved witch-hunt against the Labour leader and misdirected public attention away from antisemitism elsewhere, including on the far right, which is ascendant in much of Europe.

Prof Noam Chomsky
Brian Eno
Francesca Martinez
Yanis Varoufakis
Ken Loach
Raoul Martinez
Justin Schlosberg Birkbeck, University of London
Prof Des Freedman Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof Imogen Tyler Lancaster University
Prof Aeron Davis Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof Annabelle Sreberny Soas, University of London
Prof Greg Philo University of Glasgow
Prof Natalie Fenton Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof David Miller Bristol University
Prof David Hesmondhalgh University of Leeds
Prof James Curran Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof Julian Petley Brunel University
Stephen Cushion Cardiff University
Jason Hickel Goldsmiths, University of London
Einar Thorsen Bournemouth University
Mike Berry Cardiff University
Tom Mills Aston University
Jenny Manson Jewish Voice for Labour
Leah Levane Jewish Voice for Labour
Lindsey German Stop the War Coalition
Mike Cushman Free Speech on Israel
Glyn Secker Jewish Voice for Labour"

<https://www.theguardian.com/politics/labour>




https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/30/flawed-reporting-on-antisemitism-claims-against-the-labour-party?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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Sent: 01 October 2018 23:39:07
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Subject: Re: [WSM_Forum] Labour and the IHRA



Many thanks for that link, Fraser. Blogged on SOYMB,
http://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.com/2018/10/anti-semitism-in-jewish-board-of.html
"Anti-semitism" in the Jewish Board of Deputies?<http://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.com/2018/10/anti-semitism-in-jewish-board-of.html>
socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.com
We were assured by all those critics of Labour's initial refusal to accept the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) ...




Now we can see that the assurances that adoption of the IHRA definition would not be used to suppress debate about Israel was false. If a Jewish Board of Deputies Vice-President is being attacked for breaching it - what hope has the gentile critics of Israel?



alan johnstone


________________________________
From: "Fraser Anderson ***@hotmail.com [WSM_Forum]" <***@yahoogroups.com>
To: "***@yahoogroups.com" <***@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 2 October 2018, 3:14
Subject: Re: [WSM_Forum] Labour and the IHRA

Here we go the first use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) to shut down any criticism of Israel, however mild. This time used against the Board of Deputes.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/no-confidence-bid-after-board-vps-off-limits-nation-state-law-statement/
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