Wednesday 5 September 2018

Is till have problems with the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism?

The UK Labour Party's ruling body has agreed to adopt in full an international definition of anti-Semitism, after months of rows.
It will incorporate all the 11 examples of anti-Semitism cited by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance into its code of conduct.
But Jewish groups have attacked an accompanying statement agreed by the NEC aimed at protecting free speech.
One warned it risked giving "racists a get-out-of-jail card".
After a three hour meeting in London, Labour said its National Executive Committee had adopted all of the IHRA examples of anti-Semitism, including four it left out in July, alongside a statement ensuring "this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians".
What I find interesting is that the UK Media. seems  reluctant to publish just what the definitions are

  1. Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
  2. Making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
  3. Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
  4. Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
  5. Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
  6. Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
  7. Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
  8. Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
  9. Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterise Israel or Israelis.
  10. Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
  11. Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.



It is highly important that we consider these definitions wit regard to not only the Holocaust but historical  anti-Semitism such as the Pograms in the Russian Empire but since the arrival of Jews in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 Jews have been subjected to discrimination.[2] The earliest Jewish settlement was recorded in about 1070.[] Jews living in England from about King Stephen's reign experienced religious discrimination and it is thought that the blood libel which accused Jews of ritual murder originated in England, leading to massacres and increasing discrimination.[

One of the worst examples of early English antisemitism was the York pogrom at Clifford's Tower in 1190 which resulted in an estimated 150 Jews taking their own lives or being burned to death in the tower. The Jewish presence in England continued until King Edward I's Edict of Expulsion in 1290.Jews were readmitted to the United Kingdom by Oliver Cromwell in 1655 .


To be honest I don't disagree with much of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance into its code of conduct.I think however  what the problem is in interpretation

Take point 7 are people who claim that the creation pf The State of Israel was a mistake or even illegal Anti-Semitic , even if they accept its existence now.

Point 10 is even more problematic , Given that the Nazi State is the Template for Racism, why can't  I accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing in the same way I would accuse an Islamic state or even a Christian of doing so and comparing them to the Nazi, Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people is appalling and racists it maybe insensitive an inaccurate to compare it to Nazi policies, but its not  Anti-Semitic to point out any similarities  if they occur.


Point 11 should be clearthat criticising actions of the state of Israels not in itself 
 Anti-Semitic to point out any similarities  if they occur.

Is there a a similar definition of Islamophobia to the IHRA destination of Anti-semitism?

I loath anti-Semitism with all my heart , but that wlll not prevent me from criticising the State of Israel as I am not a member of any political party  I can do so without fear that  disciplined .

However how many critics of Israeli policies will face party discipline , for exposing a regime that is ethnic cleansing the Palestinians '

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