I don’t follow politics all that much but I find this whole Labour anti-Semitism (jew (my phone autocorrected that to new so it’s guilty too)) thing odd. Is it that big a deal or another media thing being constantly brought up? I can’t imagine the tories are any better?
Totally agree. The whole thing seems blown up into a much bigger issue than it warrants. Does Anti-Semitism exist to any real extent in the UK? I'm not aware of ever coming across it or anyone who was really anti-Jew to the extent of discriminating against them. There are other groups who have a much rougher deal in that they definitely do attract discrimination amongst certain groups. Seems to me that some Jews are very vocal and are on the lookout for anything they can call Anti-Semitism, irrespective of whether it really is or not. They currently have an opportunity due to support from media who it suits to get stuck in for political reasons.
I don't think Labour (as such) has a problem with anti-semitism, I think The Left does (with it's obvious representation in Labour).
Many on the left have a problem with 'The Man' and all it's representations such as big business and big banks (etc.).
Many anti-semites associate Jews with 'The Man' (and big businesses and big banks etc).
This is why the emphasis is on Labour and anti-semitism.
Similarly there might be many more garden variety racists who seen the Conservatives talk tough on immigration and benefit clampdowns and in their minds they associate immigrants with taking all the benefits; so they veer towards the Conservatives.
Labour seems to have a particular problem though. When the racist Tories want to stand as councillors or MPs (and the like), the selection people see the racism (most of the time) and rejects them. When Labour selection people see anti-semitism they don't see it as much of a problem.
Part of the problem is the labelling itself - racism against Jews is called anti-semitism but racism against every other minority is just called racism; which fits in perfectly with the idea that 'there's not much of it, so is it really a problem'. If there's racism in Labour, or the Conservatives, or any other organisation - it's a problem. If there was an outcry against racism in the Conservatives I don't think many people would be measuring the amount of racism to decide whether it's an issue or not.
Yes, the Left has always had a large anti-Israel faction (which comes from support for Palestinians and the general 'pro downtrodden oppressed people' thinking). Most of these will, of course, not be anti-Jewish but if you were anti-Jewish, it's a good movement to be a part of to make you feel as though you're on the forces of good.
Labour under Corbyn has also been attractive to groups not traditionally super-involved in mainstream politics - fringe-Left people (who will have fringe views) and Muslims (who are also less likely to have love for Israel). More of these people being involved will result in more incidents of anti-Semitism.
As for why this is getting almost no cut-through the the general population, I think that's because people just don't consider Jewish people in this country to be an oppressed minority. When black, Muslim and Polish people are getting spat at/attacked in the street because of who they are, a few nasty tweets just aren't going to cut it.
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