Anti racism

• Contrary to Karma Nabulsi and her fellow academics (Letters, 1 August), Palestinians have no need to worry about restrictions on their freedom of speech. Adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism does not prohibit open support for Palestinian rights nor criticism of Israeli policy, and rightly so. We live in a pluralistic, tolerant society with a long history of defending liberal freedom. The IHRA definition is useful because it clearly identifies ways in which the language of Israel’s critics can cross the line into overt antisemitism. Thus when Jews are accused of showing more loyalty to Israel than to their own country, this raises the charge of divided loyalties, which has long been used to attack Jewish communities as unpatriotic. … [Read more...] about Populist Jeremy Corbyn is riding the tiger of antisemitism

'I hope that I would have been strong enough, if say an Essendon player had of won the medal in that exact same moment, and our Collingwood faithful had of responded in that way, I hope I would have been strong enough to say the same thing,' he said.  … [Read more...] about ‘Why are they booing him?’ When his 12-year-old nephew was shocked by the reaction of the crowd to Scott Pendlebury being named the best player in the Anzac Day clash, WAYNE FLOWER realised fans had gone too far

In his article, McCluskey also accuses the Labour MP Chuka Umunna of using the antisemitism row to justify his own rumoured plans to found a breakaway political party. The Streatham MP accused Labour of “institutional racism” in a recent column in the Independent, which many in Labour took as a signal that he is preparing to leave. … [Read more...] about Labour antisemitism row: Unite boss accuses Jewish leaders of ‘truculent hostility’

He said the issue was already costing Labour votes, “as I saw for myself when campaigning in Barnet” in local elections this year. “Worse than that, it’s harming Labour’s historically close relationship with the Jewish community. And it’s costing us the moral high ground from which to oppose all forms of racial hatred and oppression.” … [Read more...] about Second union boss urges Labour to adopt full definition of antisemitism

The NEC meeting is also due to debate a package of party reforms that will be presented by the leader’s office. Though the detail of the reforms is being kept under wraps, party sources suggested they could include more seats on the NEC for ordinary party members, which would be likely to swing the balance on the governing body in favour of Corbynites. … [Read more...] about Jeremy Corbyn will back change to allow tough line on antisemitism