Labour anti-semitism

Really GracesGran ? Then We certaintly can’t condemn capitalism anymore

You believed all she said or only what she said re Blair ? ?

Anyway will Red Pete be saved from being thrown out of the party ?

I certainly believe what she said about Blair to be true Annie

Who has quoted Margaret Hodge?

No opinions on the accusations by Red Pete (he chooses to call himself that)

Oh, quotes from Margret Hodge again. So, let's all remind ourselves of the behaviour of Margaret Hodge in recent months.

She was invited to attend a private meeting with Jeremy Corbyn so that all her complaints and concerns in regard to anti-Semitism in the party could be talked over quietly and privately between the two of them.

What did Hodge do with that opportunity, she secretly recorded everything that was said in the hope that Corbyn would say something off the record that could be interpreted as anti-Semitism.

She had told "close Associates" in the party of what she planned to carry out, but one of them exposed her in sheer disgust of her actions following the meeting. However, what has been released of the recording demonstrated that Jeremy Corbyn throughout the meeting tried to talk through the Hodge concerns and address them.

However, how low can this women sink in her attempts to undermine Corbyn, the General Secretary of the party and all who work for them.

In any sector British industry or commerce to covertly record conversations with colleagues is classed as gross misconduct and that person will be dismissed following the appropriate disciplinary procedures.

Hodge should face similar procedures within her Constituency Party, and deselection follow if no credible explanation of her actions is forthcoming.

Thatcher said many things, you believe all she said was true ?

I supose that depends on if you believe Tony Blair was ever a socialist many don't. Didn't Margaret Thatcher call Tony Blair and New Labour her greatest achievement?

Yes trisher I too was puzzled that GracesGran referred to capitalism since Thatcher, there was 14 years of socialism between Thatcher and Cameron

We have a capitalist system anniebach. In fact capitalism is the most widespread and powerful political system in the world.

It was a brand of socialism, operating under a capitalist system, that brought in the old age pensions, minimum wage, new schools and hospitals, the NHS, tax credits, anti-discrimination laws, etc, etc. It is the Conservative Party, which most closely represents the "unacceptable face of capitalism" (ironically, Ted Heath's quote), that has opposed nearly all, if not all, these measures.

It is the uber capitalist's core reliance on the efficacy of a "supply and demand", "every man for himself", low tax economy that has brought us the degradation of almost every vital service in this country and a great many social ills.

Hang on wasn't it Blair who brought in Sure Start? And hasn't he always claimed to be a Socialist?

Capitalism brought in Sure Start, minimum wage, new schools and hospitals, tax credits, the human rights act ?

There seem to be a lot of people on GN who admit there is a Palestinian problem and who think that in some cases this has become amplified and resulted in anti-semitism. So I would like to ask a question around this. How many posters have actively supported the Palestinian people and particularly those in Gaza in any way? By e-mailing their MP, going on a march or donating to medical help? And is not the real way to combat such anti-semitism to ensure that proper support is given to the Palestinians in any way you can. If people believed that there was real action taking place to prevent the atrocities currently happening their beliefs would be destroyed in a second. And before anyone makes accusations I don't approve of anti-semitism any more than I approve of the actions of Israel which have led to the dreadful situation in Gaza.

I would have thought the definition of true maturity was to realise communism is hogwash because there is no true functioning non-oppressive communist state in the world is there

I think that completely erases history Larrythecat. I am not in favour of communism, nor do I want to live in a communist state but I am not currently living in serfdom either and this is where many of the states that move to communism were.

I wonder just how much of the population of the UK feel they are better off under the type of capitalism we have had since Thatcher? Perhaps about half? Everything has to change in order to improve and each improvement brings along its own negative side.

I sometimes wish I could feel I know everything and am always right as some on here seem to feel they do and they are. Sadly, I don't and I'm not so I keep questioning. It's often all you can do

And I agree , you are not the only one who understands

Post not poster

It is not a "Zionism" excuse Anniebach - oh you who are without sin.

The man needed to separate the two things, the issues with antisemitism are real across society and so will certainly occur within the LP and need to be properly dealt with. The issues between the LP and right-wing, pro-Israeli groups are also real - or are you saying that no one is manipulating the publicity around all this?

I cannot be the only one who understands - even if I don't approve or agree - why he got it wrong.

I also think that if Labour leaders were treated as a minority you too Anniebach would have to answer to someone somewhere for your attacks - some justified but many repeated and amplified for effect - on JC. No human has ever been blemish free, and I don't think there is anyone who is above the rest of the human beings on here when it comes to getting it wrong, although some are very willing to act as if they are.

I agree Day6

the far left are nothing like the far right

Hmm. In terms of nastiness, violence and wanting to suppress anyone who holds different views or outlooks, the far left is the twin sibling of the far right. Both are made up of people contemptuous and intolerant of others.

Easier to empathise with people close to you?

Didn’t take long for the Zionism excuse to be dragged out,
Last year Willsman said it was Trump, now it’s the Israeli Embassy

Well that's alright then isn't it! None of my many Jewish friends and colleagues support what is happening in Gaza. Perhaps we can all agree on that one.

Not at all- I am just saying that it is 'easier' to emphathise when people close to you have experienced prejudice.
I do have some Jewish friends actually, but they are all more cultural than religious- and totally against Zionism and what is happening in Gaza.

Interesting question Anniebach. I listened to the news during a long drive this morning. Ido hope the usual defence of "he was criticising the Israeli government, not being anti semitic" won't be made.

Jura- as POGS says, your point about criticism of the subjugation of Palestine has never been supported in any of the many discussions on the growth of anti semitism that have taken place on this forum. You say in an earlier post that you have no Jewish friends , whereas you do know many Muslims who have experienced Islamophobia. Are you suggesting that the absence of direct experience of racism in all its forms means an individual is unable to either believe in or empathise with those on the receiving end. Like Louise Ellman for example.

Who will defend Willsman and claim he is not anti semetic?

Telling a Jewish MP to cut her wrists , and worse, is being critical of Israel, we learn every day !

Jura

That point has been made on GN for years and never challenged.

Being highly critical of Zionism and the subjugation of Palestine, is NOT antisemitic. Some people just refuse to accept that, sadly- and mix the two far too easily.