October 2018
Left Antisemitism
This Labour Club believes antisemitism is an ideological poison which, by seeking to explain the world in conspiratorial terms and pose as a politics of resistance to the powers-that-be, is particularly and specifically toxic for the left.
Antisemitism has existed on the left historically in the form of conspiracy theories attacking “Jewish bankers”, which conflate Jews with finance and capital. This was rightly denounced in the 1890s as “the socialism of fools”. In more recent years, antisemitism has also manifested on the left through a conspiracist conception of Jewish nationalism, Zionism, which inflates its real power and ascribes a uniquely reactionary character to Israel and any expression of Israeli-Jewish national self-determination.
This Labour Club acknowledges that the issue of antisemitism has been cynically exploited for factional ends by the right, both within the party and more widely. Such exploitation damages sincere attempts to confront and uproot antisemitism. It does not, however, mean there is no issue to be dealt with, or that all allegations of antisemitism can be dismissed as “smears” fabricated to undermine Jeremy Corbyn.
In the interests of the ideological health of our movement, and of counterposing a rational, class-based opposition to capitalism to the conspiracy theories offered by antisemitism, this Labour Club resolves:
To hold an educational discussion on the history of antisemitism on the left based on the spirit of this motion
To ensure our opposition to Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian is consistent with our opposition to other instances of colonialism and national oppression, and does not involve a denial of the Israeli-Jews’ right to self-determination or the ascribing of a disproportionate or conspiratorial power to Zionism
To circulate this motion to Club members and via our website, social media, etc.
Stop Brexit – Defend migrants’ rights – For a workers’ united Europe
Our party’s position on Europe remains unclear and inadequate. Does Labour advocate a people’s vote, and if so on what questions? What is the position on Brexit itself?
We advocate a people’s vote, not because we are fanatics for referendums, but because we need to try to impose control over and stop the process by which extreme Tory nationalists and free-marketeers are driving British society off a cliff. The vote must, to be meaningful, include an option to remain. Labour should campaign for such a vote – and to remain.
Meanwhile, we must defend every right under attack from the Tories’ Brexit – whether workers’ rights, environmental protections or freedom of movement between the UK and Europe. We must commit to reversing any attacks on these rights the Tories implement.
If we are serious about ending the hostile environment for migrants we must extend, not limit free movement. We must end detention, deportations and denial of access to services. As conference 2018 said, “stagnant wages, crumbling services and the housing crisis” are caused by “government and employers making the rich richer at working people’s expense, and not immigration.” The answer is united workers’ struggles, regardless of origin; migrant workers are often in the forefront of such struggles.
We are not advocates of the EU as it is. Our slogan is “Remain and rebel!” We want a battle for levelling up of wages, conditions, services and rights across Europe and beyond, and for democratisation of European and international institutions. Labour should take the lead in uniting European labour movements and left parties in such a fight, and for a workers’ united Europe.
