There is legitimate scrutiny of antisemitism on the left, but at the same time, rightwing media outlets offend with impunity. That makes no sense
T
he media’s message appears to have cut through. At the crucial rally against antisemitism in London on Sunday, Zack Polanski, the Jewish leader of the Green party of England and Wales, was not invited to speak, on the grounds that he had not done enough to root out antisemitism from the party. But Nigel Farage was invited, on the grounds that his party, Reform UK, has “expressed very broad support for the fight against antisemitism”. More than two thousand Jews saw things differently and signed a petition arguing that the invitation to Farage “fundamentally undermines” the message of solidarity in defence of Jewish safety and dignity. I agree with them.
Antisemitism must be stamped out everywhere. “Never again” means zero tolerance for this age-old hate, wherever it occurs and whoever voices it. It is indeed a problem on the left, and I’ve often found myself in dispute with those who downplay or minimise it.
Two Green candidates for the council elections have been arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred on social media. The Labour party’s researchers dug up disgraceful remarks by 25 Green candidates for the recent council elections. Never mind that it’s 25 out of 4,500: it’s 25 too many. Polanski’s response when asked about the numerous arson attacks on synagogues and on Hatzola ambulances – “there’s a conversation to be had about whether it’s a perception of unsafety or whether it’s actual unsafety, but neither are acceptable” – seemed dismissive of a horrifying escalation of antisemitic attacks.
