Antisemitism and the Labour Party

Verso Reports

by Jamie Stern-Weiner (Editor)

This urgent Verso Report, edited by Jamie Stern-Weiner, brings together the most rigorous and penetrating analytical writings on the ‘Labour antisemitism’ affair. They provide between them a sober examination of the strange events that have warped British politics since 2015 and an informed basis for Labour as well as kindred movements to draw lessons for the future. The eBook includes contributions from Norman G. Finkelstein, Jeremy Gilbert, Antony Lerman, David Rosenberg, Naomi Wayne, and Jewish Voice for Labour, as well as a selection of hitherto unpublished testimonies from Jewish members of the Labour Party.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

278 pages, ebook

Published December 1, 2019

Reviews

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly thorough but an ok overview of a strange political phenomena.

Consider, in this respect, a 1993 survey interrogating Israeli Jews about Diaspora Jews and antisemitism. The survey found significant proportions of Israeli Jews in agreement that ‘[t]he Jews have a lot of economic power (money) and political influence in their country of residence’ (72 percent), ‘[i]n general, Jews are more talented and successful than non-Jews’ (69 percent), ‘Jews are noisy and impolite’ (34 percent), ‘Jews are conceited, keep to themselves, and are disrespectful toward non-Jews’ (29 percent), ‘Jews cannot be trusted (dishonest, cunning)’ (14 percent).15
The JPR’s finding that one-third of UK adults agreed with at least one ‘anti-Jewish’ stereotype was adduced by media commentators as evidence that the UK was awash with antisemitism. By this logic, the antisemitism crisis in 1990s Israel was much more serious. It also bears notice that, to judge by the findings of that 1993 survey, most Israeli Jews would be expelled from the Labour Party for antisemitism.

[Eurethius Péllitièr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Rooted in facts rather than assumptions. Worth reading for greater insight and to lose the accusations of crankness

[Nick Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extensive detailed rebuttal of the groundless, politically motivated smear campaign against the Labour Party - and specifically against Jeremy Corbyn. This book shows how certain sections of the political and media establishment have colluded to create a false antisemitism scare. Isn't it strange, now the election is over , Labour has been routed and Corbyn is standing down that the media seems to have forgotten all about this supposed threat. It just goes to confirm the rebuttals in this book. Only 3 stars because there is a lot of repetition and too many typos.

[Owen Hatherley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downloaded and then forgot about this at the time - a lot was happening - but found it among my ebooks and in the light of the last few years thought I'd give it a go. And mostly, this anthology has aged well, though the tone of it is often weird - was it for the already convinced? If so, why bother listing every time Corbyn signed a parliamentary motion saying antisemitism was bad? And if it was for the sceptical or worried, then why include the much more inflammatory Norman Finkelstein contributions? But you know what, calling a load of elderly socialist Jews who aren't very good at social media antisemites and cranks was bad, and this book was one of the few attempts to stick up for them and represent their views in their own words.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best illustration of this book comes from one of the chapter titles:

> Sixty Times Jeremy Corbyn Stood with Jewish People

As Hitler never had a Tweet in favor of the Jewish People, Corbyn must be the complete opposite.

Reading the actual text one would realize how much better life in the whole of the EU is for each Jew thanks to the crooked teeth prophet:

> 7 November 1990: Corbyn signs motion condemning the rise of antisemitic publications.

November the 8th there was a huge storm, as the fascist were started running for South America.