Labour’s Anti-Semitism Issues? Sorry, Not Our Problem.

[shira]

<snip>

....But if you believe that Zionism is nothing more or less than the idea that Jews have the same right for self-determination as any other nation, and if you celebrate the fact that, having put this idea to action, the Jews have managed to build their own state with a strong army well-equipped to defend them against their enemies, Freedland’s plea—indeed, the entire row over Labour’s vile bigotry—seems a little nonsensical.

The point is this: we no longer have to plead—to the left or the right or the Islamists or the nativists or to anyone else. If Britain—or Belgium or France or Sweden for that matter—wants to hound its Jews, that’s too bad, and it would leave these countries Judenrein and scrubbed of any claim on the heritage of the Enlightenment. But try to really mess with Jews, and you’ll learn the real lesson of Zionism’s triumph: we can defend ourselves now, and, if needed, will do so with great and glorious fury.

Which doesn’t mean, of course, that the anti-Semites are likely to be at all dissuaded. Haters, as Jewish history has repeatedly taught us, will hate. But now that Jews have a state and an army and six decades of collective memory rich with proud moments of self-defense, the affairs of anti-Semites are now, more than ever, trivial.

That the Labour Party is being gnawed to death by anti-Jewish zealots bodes ill for the Labour Party and for Britain at large; a nation whose citizens have been decapitated in broad daylight and whose trains are exploded by crazed terrorists needs strong and principled parties to balance the demands of national security with the dictates of democracy. Remarkably, the least affected here are the Jews: if push came to shove, they’ll join their French brethren on Netanya’s beaches, not an easy move but not, all things considered, a devastating one, either.

So good luck to our British brothers in their struggle to save whatever’s left of their civil society. As they fight to preserve tolerance, diversity, justice, and all the other wonderful things that makes the United Kingdom the robust beacon of liberty it wants to believe it still is, they may want to consult recent examples of national movements that succeeded in building thriving democracies despite considerable external threats. They can begin by reading up on Zionism.

http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/201375/labours-anti-semitism-issues-sorry-not-our-problem

[leftynyc]

1. Great piece

Europe's open immigration policy is going to be the death of Europe as a free and open place to be and live. It's just a matter of time. Hearts in the right place, brains up their ass.

[Little Tich]

2. The OP is well written, but I disagree with it.

I suppose it reflects the strong and uncompromising attitudes of those who believe that Zionism is necessary. Zionism as a form of defence against anti-Semitism.

I not to keen on Zionism, and I firmly believe that democracy is the better way to eradicate anti-Semitism. And when it comes to Jews in Scandinavian countries, it's their countries too, they belong there. They should never have to feel it's time to leave.

[shira]

3. Europe shows that liberal democracy is not eradicating Jew hatred.

Last edited Fri May 6, 2016, 07:13 AM - Edit history (3)

It's only getting worse there.

Ergo, Zionism.

Your theory goes *poof* as your "better way" just leads to more Jews getting killed.

That's unacceptable.

[King_David]

4. Jews in France too should never have to feel they have to leave

But the Antisemitism there makes it unlivable and so thankfully there's a place for them to go. Because your fantasy land where Jews should never feel they don't have to leave doesn't exist ,in some countries.

[Little Tich]

5. Things are getting worse in Europe, and I don't think it's going to improve anytime soon.

It's not only anti-Semitism, but right-wing ideologies and racism in general as well. For me it's also a personal matter, as I have to live in the middle of all this. Things have changed, and not in a good way.

I don't really have a ready answer on how to solve this.

[branford]

6. The rising antisemitism in Europe is not generally a problem coming from the right.

The worsening situation is largely a phenomenon arising from left-wing circles and the increasing Arab/Muslim immigrant population. The issues with Labour and Corbyn are just a small symptom of a much large European problem, and hardly its worst manifestation.

In fact, in some areas and groups, the non-neo-Nazi right (a rapidly expanding segment) has become far more sympathetic to both Israel and Jews in response to the problems and concerns of Muslim fundamentalist terrorism and lack of assimilation by related immigrant and religious populations, often including even second and third generation families. Politics and personal safety often make strange bedfellows.

You might wish or hope Zionism wasn't necessary in your perfect world, but reality, both historically and today, more than amply proves Jews are not safe, nor held to the same standards as everyone else.

Reading many of your posts often feels like you believe Israelis, and sometime Jews generally, should act completely opposite to their clear interests, often to the point of near or actual suicide, just so you and others can feel good about themselves.

Don't forget that "Never Again" is more than catchy or casual political slogan among Jews for a myriad of important reasons.

[Little Tich]

7. I think you're grossly underestimating the European nationalist right.

Some nationalist parties are more or less supportive of Israel, but that's more because they support Israel as country for the Jews and a bulwark against Muslims. Jews are still considered a foreign element, and should leave Europe alone. Many nationalists consider themselves to be great humanists, and the most humane thing to do with the Jews is to make sure they can leave and live in their own country.

Do you honestly think that the nationalist right-wing parties only have a problem with Muslims, and that Jews are somehow exempt from their hatred of all things foreign?

[branford]

8. I'm not defending the right wing in Europe.

I was only making some observations about how politics sometimes creates unusual allies.

However, and far more importantly, it's undeniable that a large and ever increasing amount of antisemitism originates from the left for a multitude of reasons, none of them reasonable or excusable. Complaining about the right doesn't change this fact or excuse the antisemitism of those with whom you might otherwise share political positions.