Another anti-Semitism row that completely misses the point

Last Updated: September 29, 2016By
Jackie Walker was accused of ‘failing to demonstrate any sensitivity to the impact of her words … upon the Jewish community’ [Image: Andy Hall for the Observer].

Jackie Walker was accused of ‘failing to demonstrate any sensitivity to the impact of her words … upon the Jewish community’. What about her accusers’ own failure to demonstrate sensitivity – that they might be causing problems themselves? [Image: Andy Hall for the Observer].

Am I the only one to see the significance of this happening at a training day, where mistakes may legitimately be aired in order to be corrected?

This Writer has appeared at an event marking Holocaust Memorial Day (a reading from The Investigation by Peter Weiss which contains some harrowing information, many years ago) but I must confess I have never been led to associate it with other atrocities.

As for the definition of anti-Semitism, I make an attempt at this in my new book, The Livingstone Presumption (available in eBook form for the bargain price of £1.99, here) but Ms Walker suggested David Schneider’s version, which is also good:

160929-david-schneider-anti-semitism(I like the first point. Certain people in the Israeli establishment have been working very hard to do exactly what is claimed here. What does that make them?)

What the Guardian story doesn’t provide – significantly – is the definition that was offered on the training day itself, so we have no way of judging whether Ms Walker was justified in taking issue with it.

Finally there is the issue of Jewish organisations needing high security to protect themselves from anti-Semitism – and I am confused.

Is this a reference to a situation here in the UK? If so, why was Ms Walker’s comment about security at her child’s school countered with a comment about IS attacking a school in Toulouse which, unless I am mistaken, is in France?

Issues of national security come into play when discussing cross-border matters; France has been criticised by its own people over its response to the threat of terror attacks – against anybody, not just Jewish people.

If it is a reference to the UK, then I wonder how much ill-feeling has been stirred up by those accusing others, rather than by any actual anti-Semitism?

Of the allegedly anti-Semitic messages Naz Shah sent – that sparked the initial allegation against the Labour Party in April – only one could be interpreted reasonably as having that intent. Her suspension was lifted a few weeks ago.

Allegations of anti-Semitism against Ken Livingstone are on similarly dodgy ground, relying on a lack of historical knowledge and a manipulation of the context in which his words were spoken. Read The Livingstone Presumption for more details.

And Jewish NEC member Rhea Wolfson also – improbably – fell foul of anti-Semitism claims when Jim Murphy tried to scupper her bid for election to that committee by claiming the organisation supporting her – Momentum – was a hotbed of anti-Semitism.

It still surprises me that people believed anti-Semites were supporting a Jewish candidate for election to the organisation that lays down the law in the Labour Party.

So we’ve had one allegation after another proved false – including those that were originally made against Ms Walker.

But the people making those allegations are still pushing their fake case.

Is it beyond the pale to speculate whether any real incidents are a reaction against their belligerence?

Momentum’s vice-chair, Jackie Walker, is facing calls to resign after she incorrectly criticised Holocaust Memorial Day at a party antisemitism training session for commemorating only Jewish victims.

Walker also took issue with the definition of antisemitism used at the training event, which was organised for members at the annual Liverpool conference by the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM).

“In terms of Holocaust day, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Holocaust day was open to all people who experienced holocaust?” she told organisers, heard in a recording of the event.

Holocaust Memorial Day is intended to commemorate all victims of the Nazi Holocaust, and other genocides, including atrocities in Bosnia and Rwanda.

During the training event, Walker also questioned why Jewish organisations, including schools, said they needed high security to protect themselves from antisemitic attacks.

Momentum has not responded to a request for comment, but in a statement Walker denied questioning the need for security at Jewish schools and also apologised for any offence she may have caused.

Source: Momentum vice-chair under pressure to resign over antisemitism row | Politics | The Guardian

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7 Comments

  1. jeffrey davies September 29, 2016 at 1:30 pm - Reply

    blairites at work again greedie mps will use any trick to rid themselves of jc

  2. rotzeichen September 29, 2016 at 1:54 pm - Reply

    I think it’s time we started taking action against those that persist in falsely accusing people for political gain and bringing the party into disrepute.

    I use this video, it says it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaSqvutvI1k

  3. Roland Laycock September 29, 2016 at 3:33 pm - Reply

    The Zionist have used this word over the years to get there way and most jews would agree with me the tories and the blairites us it at will to attack any one they don’t like and the media make a meal out of it

  4. mohandeer September 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm - Reply

    There isn’t anti -Semitism. What we are witnessing now are false allegations made by a manipulative press and anti Corbyn troublemakers trying to make anti-Semitism an issue. That is very much not the same thing and is designed cleverly to harass the left wing and silence criticism of Israel at the same time.
    Trust the Graund – very anti Corbyn, to make an issue of something that had no real validity other than to further tarnish Jeremy Corbyn, Momentum and the 61.8% of Labour Party members who were able to vote for him.
    It is time that action be taken against those making false allegations, who should be required to prove their case in a court of Law under a Law Suit for slander/libel by the victim of the attack(for such is what it is).

  5. Rick B (@TenPercent) September 29, 2016 at 9:09 pm - Reply
    • Mike Sivier September 30, 2016 at 10:27 am - Reply

      Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
      Thanks for that, Rick. Suddenly this becomes very clear indeed.

  6. Laurence October 1, 2016 at 11:59 am - Reply

    There’s one common factor in all these allegations: we are never told exactly what was said and why it was anti-semitic. This rather suggests the accusers are more interested in accusing than providing facts.

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