SNP EDM Motivated by Desire to Attack
Corbyn over Kaufmann
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| Hands across the water |
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| Former leader Salmon is known for pro-Zionist stance - the attitude of Nicola Sturgeon is not known |
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| The question is how far does friendship go? |
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| The real anti-Semites: EDL attack on Birmingham PSC stall - Hitler salutes and Israeli flag too! |
Having gone on to his blog it would appear that
he is pro-Palestinian, in a vague sort of way, but in a controlled and directed manner, i.e. he has to have his ‘pet’ Palestinians
who agree with his liberal imperialist viewpoint which is one of conflict resolution
etc. No mention of Zionism or the
structures of oppression. It’s no
surprise that he boasts of having worked for the Alliance Party in the North of
Ireland. Republicanism must be an alien
tradition which is why the North’s SDLP signed the EDM.
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| The limits of nationalism are demonstrated by equivocation over Israel and BDS |
I stand by my critique of the resolution. Indeed the longer I look at it the worse it
looks.
i.
It notes that ‘the single biggest contributing factor’ to the
rise of anti-Semitism has been the reaction to the ‘armed violence between Israel
and Gaza.’ This is then linked to anti-Semitism
being part and parcel of the Palestine solidarity movement.
ii.
It
cites the CST uncritically, despite them being a vehemently anti-Palestinian group,
which hates anti-Zionist Jews in particular.
Spedding says he consulted anti-Zionist Jews first. This I doubt if one or 2 contributors to
comments on his blog are anything to go by.
iii.
The
description of the genocidal attack of Israel on the Gaza is described as ‘the
armed violence between Israel and Gaza’.
A curious formulation.
iv.
It
engages in the politics of equivalence, talking about bringing the benefits of peace to both the Palestinian
and Israeli people’ which is a convenient way of ignoring who is the oppressed
and who is the oppressor. It also omits
all mention of Zionism.
v.
It’s
also wrong about the ‘benefits of peace’ being equal. Israelis are privileged by Zionism, Palestinians
are not. The benefits to them are far
less tangible, indeed arguably non-existent.
Spedding should read Martin
Luther King’s ‘Letter from an Alabama gaol’ on how the privileged don’t ever
give up their privileges voluntarily.
What puzzles me even more is that Spedding is drafting all these EDMs,
50 at least he says, yet he is unpaid.
The SNP contingent in Parliament must be getting a few million pounds in ‘Short’ money. Why isn’t he being paid? Me thinks young Gary is being exploited and
should demand the living wage.!
Tony Greenstein
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| Gormless fascists in Brighton attack PSC stall and beat a hasty retreat |
SNP Early Day Motion 652
That this House notes with concern that the
Community Security Trust recorded a doubling of anti-Semitic incidents across
the UK in 2014 to 1,168; further notes that the pattern of these attacks
reveals the single biggest contributing factor to have been anti-Semitic
reaction to the armed violence between Israel and Gaza in July 2014; condemns
all forms of racism and affirms that anti-Semitism has no place in campaigns of
solidarity with Palestinians; calls for the adoption of all necessary measures
to eliminate racism and anti-Semitism, while emphasising the democratic right
to criticise the governments and policies of any and all states whilst ensuring
this avoids spilling over into group-blame or racist stereotyping; further
calls on all sides of the House to combat racism, and for hon. Members to make
clear the distinction between the Jewish community and to encourage responsible
public debate and use of language around enhancing inter-communal co-operation
and education; and calls on the Government to actively seek a just and stable
resolution to the conflict that would bring the benefits of peace to both the
Palestinian and Israeli people.
It also appears that the motivation for this EDM
was a thoroughly sectarian one. Labour’s
Gerald Kaufmann MP has been under attack for some unwise words about ‘Jewish money’
which in the context are not anti-Semitic. It would appear that the SNP sought to take
advantage of this to embarrass Jeremy Corbyn and to do it at the expense of the
Palestinians. That really is shameful.
Tony
Greenstein
You should at least talk to me and others before going
around claiming that the motion I drafted is a Zionist conspiracy
What you've written and your attempt to coerce MPs to
withdrawing their signatures is insulting and a disgrace
I'd very happily discuss with you
- Today
18:07
good then let's discuss. But what is disgraceful is
the suggestion that the existing Palestine solidarity movement tolerates, in
any shape or form, anti-Semitism. As someone who is Jewish I find that
particularly insulting and there is a far higher percentage of Jewish people
involved in the PS movement, than their share of the population would warrant.
Not that the mass media would ever supply you with such information.
'Anti-semitism' or to be more accurate the 'new
anti-Semitism' is the last resort of the desperate. Apparently Obama has joined
the long list of anti-Semites if Netanyahu's press spokesman is correct. Indeed
Hitler himself was an unwilling participant in the holocaust, having been
browbeaten into it by the Grand Mufti.
The motion itself is clumsily worded, preaches to the
converted and manages to insult those of us who have withstood the daily
brickbats of being called 'traitors' and 'self haters' (just as the Nazis
termed German anti-fascists),
The SNP hasn't given a great deal of practical support
to the Palestine solidarity cause and Alex Salmond I recall has been pretty
sympathetic to those confusing anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. It would have
been helpful to have consulted first and acted afterwards.
In the circumstances I had no option but to act as I
did but if you wish to discuss or talk further fine. My email is xxxx
18:15
As a member of this movement I can say it does
tolerate and is complicit in some anti-semitism. I see it at the meetings I
attend. I see it in parliament.
I understand you are set in your ways, but the majority
of left-wing anti-Zionist Jews with whom I consulted on the drafting of this
motion approved it and even offered ideas for changing the initial wording.
If you only see anti-semitism as a last ditch attempt
by desperate Zionists then you need to reevaluate yourself seriously. You also
need to apologise publicly for smearing the SNP - especially to Philippa
Whitford who has a very clear record in supporting Palestinian rights.
The motion itself has one mistake in it. The rest is
absolutely crystal clear. The SNP has made huge commitments to Palestine
solidarity - I would know, because I've been advising them on these things and
taking Palestinians to parliament to meet with them.
You acted without first checking the facts. I already
have your email address, it's been splattered all over my inbox with the
various emails you sent to the MPs that I work closely with on these and other
matters.
18:15
excellent
18:17
What might be embarrassing for you, In fact it is
already embarrassing, is that you suggested in your blog post that this is all
a Zionist formulated idea. In reality, the motion came from an individual
(myself) who is on record as being very anti-Zionist.
I've even used one or two of your blogs in the past
But what you wrote about the SNP does untold damage to
Palestine solidarity and also harms you as an activist
This is me speaking very frankly, without anger or
malice as I've not got time for any of that nonsense
Mostly though you've upset a lot of MPs who are doing
their best to tackle a system in Westminster they're very unfamiliar with
18:19
the motion has all the appearance of being drafted
from a Zionist perspective. Anti-semitism isn't the problem./ It's the daily
death toll in Palestine and the way spurious allegations of anti-semitism are
being used to deflect attention from this.
Anti-semitism in this country is not a problem. It is
marginal. Where it occurs I have always fought it , not least on blogs like
this. Perhaps you would like to google the Zeon French cartoonist .
18:19
And the reason the SNP put the motion is because
Labour under Corbyn wouldn't and I didn't want the conservatives to do it
because I'm tired of the fight against anti-Semitism being monopolised by
right-wingers, used to bash the fight against islamophobiq as if it's a
competition and then gets pro-Israel rhetoric inserted into it.
18:20
Islamophobia
Where there are spurious accusations of anti-semitism
it's absolutely vital to point them out. But this motion is NOT one of those.
Activists on 972 Magazine from Palestine wouldn't be
writing about anti-Semitism having no place in Palestine solidarity if it
wasn't a problem
Heck I wouldn't be writing about it and kicking up a
fuss if it wasn't a problem
18:23
Well I'm sorry if I upset people and if the motion was
well meaning but that is not how it comes across. The priority at the moment is
solidarity with the Palestinians. I am not going to get into the Corbyn thing
except to say that the attacks on Jeremy have been part and parcel of the false
use of 'anti-Semitism'.
I am more than aware of +972 magazine but they have
the right priorities. Where is y our EDM on theextra-judicial executions of
Palestinians, or the description of Palestinians as animals and sub-human by
the Deputy Defence Minister in charge of the Territories, Eli Dahan.
This motion is seriously wrong. And anti-Semitism does
NOT and never has had a place in the PS movement. Even the Board of Deputies
representative was forced to concede that I led the fight against Gilad Atzmon.
18:24
I have to go now because I have a meeting. E-mail me
and I will look again at what you write later regards Tony G
18:25
I can go through the EDM list and send you the ones
that I've authored - I've done one on extrajudicial killings and I'm waiting
for amnesty Israel to get back to me on wording.
I could spend hours sending you the 50 or so EDMs I've
drafted
NB: I am one person, with no organisation behind me or
funding
I'm a full time student
I can't do everything
18:27
fine but this is the only one I've seen. And it's
suggestion that anti-Semitism in the PS movement is a problem is simply wrong.
I am also unpaid!
18:30
I don't think it is wrong - it accurately reflects a
problem and demonstrates that pro-Palestine MPs take the issue seriously. It
only strengthens their position as Palestine solidarity advocates.
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