Thread by @hackneyglyn

#thread on @UKLabour NEC Code Conduct on #Antisemitism showing how opposition to it is wrong. Links from Dr Brian Klug, Moran Mandelbaum, David Feldman, Josh Nathan Kazis on Kenneth Stern, Rhea Wolfson, Jennie Formby and Jo Lansman

Firstly this is the NEC code here. Please read. It covers conspiracy theory antisemitism, the 'socialism of fools' and antisemitism masquerading as criticism of Israel. These are the issues that have crept into Labour from the conspiracy theory fringes. thejc.com/comment/analys…

Jon Lansman @jonlansman states the new code is "Labour’s antisemitism code is the gold standard for political parties .. The new code makes clear that discrimination against Jewish people is unacceptable while allowing for legitimate criticism of Israel " theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Jennie Formby @uklabour General Secretary @JennieGenSec states "IHRA doesn’t go far enough – Labour’s new anti-Semitism guidelines are MORE comprehensive" jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/opinion-ihra-d…

Moran Mandelbaum states "Drawing on the IHRA definition without the problematic examples, the new code of conduct adopted by the Labour party is a step in the right direction." opendemocracy.net/uk/moran-mande…

and "that the attempt to define anti-Semitism and the content of the definition itself is problematic first and foremost for Jews, and may actually play into the hands of the anti-Semitic and racist discourse and the nationalist right in Israel and Europe" bit.ly/2mrutsp

David Feldman states ".. does the IHRA definition ... provide the answer? I am sceptical. .. the definition’s key passage: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews.” .. is bewilderingly imprecise." theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

And devastatingly it seems that the author of the original definition and examples Kenneth Stern is against the way it is being used. forward.com/news/356220/ex… @jdforward

Brian Klug states "The way forward for people .. who genuinely want to solve .. .. combating antisemitism while protecting free political speech – is to welcome the NEC Code as the latest incarnation of a living document that constantly requires work. opendemocracy.net/uk/brian-klug/…

NEC member @rheawolfson who has received grief from both extremes, antisemitic abuse and being accused of being soft on antisemitism, tweeted her support of the new code from the NEC. Please read her comments!

https://twitter.com/rheawolfson/status/1019497999729348610

Meanwhile 36 Jewish groups have stated jointly "We urge our governments, municipalities, universities and other institutions to reject the IHRA definition and instead take effective measures to defeat white supremacist nationalist hate and violence .. " "jewishvoiceforpeace.org/global-jewish-…

and Jewish Voice for Labour @JVoiceLabour have put out a briefing note here jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/blog/a-briefin…

To conclude, whilst understandable many Jews in the UK have been concerned at recent instances of antisemitism in Labour, [see facebook.com/procorbynagain… for examples ] and some of @jeremycorbyn historic statements re e.g. Hamas, opposition to the new Labour NEC Code is imo mistaken

This is also good from @RichardBurdenMP labourlist.org/2018/07/richar…

And more criticism of the application of the IHRA, from Stephen Sedley, a former appeal court judge lrb.co.uk/v39/n09/stephe…

This is the actual testimony of Kenneth Stern, the author of the working examples. Stern opposes their use in the way Labour is being told to use it. Essential reading! I wonder how many of those who have condemned Labour have read this! @JewishLabour judiciary.house.gov/wp-content/upl…

And today from Dr Brian Klug arguing again that Labours new NEC Code is NOT antisemitic theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

And from Antony Lerner on why "[1st] that the NEC rejected the .. (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, and [2nd] that the NEC code contravenes the Macpherson principle giving Jews the exclusive right to determine for themselves what antisemitism is." opendemocracy.net/antony-lerman/…

And more, this from Shaun Lawson, @shaunjlawson another who had so many of his Jewish family murdered by antisemitism demanding “enough of these disgraceful slurs against Jeremy Corbyn” medium.com/@shaunjlawson/…

And for anyone thinking I think there is no antisemitism on the Left and in Labour, far from it. See e.g. haaretz.com/opinion/labour…

For a series of exposes of Left antisemitism and articles on Left Antisemitism, from a Left as opposed to a Right Wing persepective, see facebook.com/pg/procorbynag… particularly posts last year.

And yet more Jewish opposition to a blanket imposition of the IHRA this time from Joanna Phillips of @jewdents stating "Jewish students deserve a better definition of anti-Semitism" They have developed one based on Brian Klugs argument [see above] jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/opinion-jewish…

Renown Jewish QC Geoffrey Bindman adds his voice "The attacks on the new code, including those by some Labour MPs and a number of rabbis, are baffling. One has to wonder if all these people have read the code or indeed the IHRA press release. " theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Apologies! That should be Antony Lerman! @tonylerman