Anarchist newspaper Freedom News exposes antisemitism on the Corbyn left

 

As the various factions line up for the ongoing civil war in the Labour Party which has been raging since Corbyn was elected leader not just when he was finally suspended it interesting to take a look at how others of the "left" see the issues arising. 

"Corbyn does not deserve our solidarity"

Jon Bigger writes in Freedom News (Britain's oldest Anarchist journal, now on-line only) that:

His suspension has created an outcry by those on the left, some who still call themselves anarchists. As Labour slips into an uncivil war, it would be a mistake to provide Corbyn with solidarity. Instead we should look towards a radical future. The report is damning, not just regarding the way the party dealt with matters but it also cites direct and politically motivated interventions by the leader’s office in handling antisemitic complaints. Corbyn downplayed the report findings, knowing that he had an army of people he could rely on to coalesce around him. His actions seem to be a cynical attempt to use that solidarity for his own political ends. He made no effort to apologise for the failings of the party under his leadership....

I spoke to someone who joined the party following the Corbyn leadership victory. They described the Party on the issue of antisemitism as “a cesspit.” They went on to explain that “all anyone needs to do is look at any comments section under Momentum posts about this.” This chimes with the report ....

My source was extremely frustrated at the way people on the left have responded, highlighting that some are even “saying that anyone who disagrees with them are puppets, part of the Israel lobby etc etc,” which just underlines the scale of the problem. “It’s rife,” they told me.

Those wishing to support Corbyn must address the report, not dismiss it. They must address the fact that the growth in membership during the Corbyn years included antisemites. They must address the fact that Corbyn has downplayed the issue......Not addressing the failings achieves nothing.

Bakunin and antisemitism

Of course even Anarchists throughout history have not been immune to the prejudice known as antisemitism. Bakunin one of the more quotable Anarchists who opposed and exposed the danger of Marx's authoritarianism way back in the First International wrote:

“Himself a Jew, Marx has around him, in London and France, but especially in Germany, a multitude of more or less clever, intriguing, mobile, speculating Jews, such as Jews are every where: commercial or banking agents, writers, politicians, correspondents for newspapers of all shades, with one foot in the bank, the other in the socialist movement, and with their behinds sitting on the German daily press — they have taken possession of all the newspapers — and you can imagine what kind of sickening literature they produce. Now, this entire Jewish world, which forms a single profiteering sect, a people of bloodsuckers, a single gluttonous parasite, closely and intimately united not only across national borders but across all differences of political opinion — this Jewish world today stands for the most part at the disposal of Marx and at the same time at the disposal of Rothschild. I am certain that Rothschild for his part greatly values the merits of Marx, and that Marx for his part feels instinctive attraction and great respect for Rothschild. (1)

So much of these central antisemitic mores are around today and repeated in various forms such as Ian Donovan of Socialist fight who thinks there is an "International Jewish bourgeoisie" or as Bakunin put it a "single profiteering sect". The meaning is clear in both cases, only the words used differ.

Antisemitism has always been very much present on the left and today is no different. No other ethnic group is treated this way by these charlatans around Corbyn. Their racism has been laid bare for all to see. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

(1) Source: Michael Bakunin, 1871, Personliche Beziehungen zu Marx. In: Gesammelte Werke. Band 3. Berlin 1924. P. 204-216.