Let’s use this yardstick to judge the EHRC’s inquiry into alleged Labour anti-Semitism
We should all be indebted to Richard Snell on Facebook.
He has come up with a series of questions the Equality and Human Rights Commission needs to answer, if its investigation into allegations of institutionalised anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is to be given any credence.
The original post can be found here but I’ve pasted it below for posterity:
This is the letter I have sent to David Isaac, Chair of the EHRC:
Dear David Isaac,
I am writing to you in your capacity as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
I am writing on my own behalf and do not represent any group or organisation.
I understand that the EHRC is now investigating allegations of anti-Semitism within the Labour Party. I read that the EHRC will investigate among other things ‘whether unlawful acts have been committed by the Party or its employees or agents.’
That being so, may I hope that it bases its inquiry on the historical definition of anti-Semitism which is a hatred of all Jews and of the whole of Jewish religion and culture, a definition which does not concern itself with any one state and does not discriminate between the different denominations or branches of the Jewish people?
I point this out because the allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party are being made by certain of its members who wish to protect Israel from the criticisms which have followed on from its actions in Palestine. These see fit to associate in the public mind the contemporary and specific criticisms of the modern state of Israel with the long tradition of anti-Semitism which I have described above.
It was to ensure that this equation was regularised that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism was formulated.
I feel therefore it is vital that the EHRC ignores the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism in this context as being politically-motivated, permitting the suppression of criticism of Israel and diverting attention away from the genuine problems many Jews face as they have always faced regardless of their allegiance or lack of it to Israel.
I am myself a Jew, and feel this strongly.
All this being said, then may I also hope that the EHRC asks the following questions in the course of its investigation, questions inspired by the kinds of actions historically taken against Jews by those who oppose them simply because they are Jews, i.e. by genuine anti-Semites?1. Have any Jews been required to identify themselves as Jews in their application to join the Party?
2. Have any Jews been excluded from the Party on the sole grounds that they are Jewish?
3. Have any Jews been required by the Party to carry or wear something which specifically identifies them as being Jewish?
4. Have any Jews been denied access to meetings, committees or conferences on the sole grounds that they are Jews?
5. Have any Jews been denied the right to stand as officers for, speak at, or in any other way contribute to meetings, committees or conferences, on the sole grounds they are Jews?
6. Have any Jewish officers been denied promotion within the Labour Party on the sole grounds that they are Jewish?
7. Have any Jews been denied membership of the NEC on the sole grounds that they are Jewish?
8. Have any Jews been denied the right to stand as Parliamentary candidates on the sole grounds that they are Jewish?
9. Have any Jews been denied the right to cabinet status on the sole grounds that they are Jewish?
10. Have any Jews ever been denied the right to stand for the Party leadership on the sole grounds that they are Jewish?
11. Is there any part of the Party’s constitution which includes Jews among those social classes of which the Labour Party is critical?
12. Are there any rules in the Party’s rule-book which are specific to Jews, both regarding how they must or must not behave and what kinds of discriminatory actions should be taken against them?
13. Have any representatives of the Party been permitted by the Party to speak or write against Jews in any public forum, or in so doing have claimed that they are speaking on the Party’s behalf?
I am strongly of the opinion that these questions must be asked and answered if the desire of the EHRC is genuinely one of establishing whether or not there is real anti-Semitism in the Party, as against anti-Zionism, which relates only to the state of Israel, does not reflect on the Jewish people as a whole, and is the accepted position of many Jews, including Jewish members of the Labour Party.
Thank you for your consideration,
Yours sincerely,
Richard Snell
While we’re at it, it seems the EHRC has also been asked to investigate Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.
How’s that going?
https://twitter.com/LeeFromSwindon/status/1151503332768387074
While I’d need more evidence to agree that Pinsent Masons is a Conservative law firm, I do wonder…
Why is it taking so long for this investigation to get started?
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
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Really excellent questions.
There might also be questions about actual Party policies.
Does the Labour Party have any policies designed to disadvantage Jews, as Jews , in any way?
Have any spokespeople or Officials of the Party ever advocated any policies that are aimed to disadvantage Jewish people as Jews.
Have any Party representatives even declined to support any policies that were designed to protect Jews from discrimination?
It’s about time they put a stop to this nonsense. Anyone with a brain can see that it is a blatant smear attempt by the Rightwing to undermine Jeremy Corbyn.
Good article here:
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/fears-over-conflicts-of-interest-at-top-of-watchdog-probing-labour-anti-semitism
Excellent quizzing from Mr Snell, there. Gives the EHRC something to bear in mind during their investigation(s).
I doff my proverbial to him for them (except Q12 which I’ve often asked myself.)
However, I’d make a small addition to question 13, just for clarification.
13. Have any representatives of the Party been permitted by the Party to speak or write against Jews in any public forum, or in so doing have claimed that they are speaking on the Party’s behalf?
(Addendum) Or with any evidence of endorsement of said speech(es) writing(s) from the party hierarchy/leadership?