Is the anti-Zionism of the left the most important form of anti-Semitism in Britain today?

Submitted by dalcassian on 18 December, 2015 - 12:01 Author: Myra Wolfson

It does not seem helpful to pursue the recent disagreement between Socialist Organiser and the Jewish Socialists' Group.

There is however, one major point in Sean Matgamna's reply to David Rosenberg's letter (SO 507) which cannot go unchallenged.

That is that "the anti-Zionism of the left is currently the most important form of anti-semitism in Britain".

Attacks on Jewish cemeteries and synagogues and the distribution of anti-semitic literature are carried out not by the left, but by the far-right.

The far-right are also involved in physical attacks on Jews, black people and other minority groups.

At a time when support for fascist parties is growing throughout Europe, we should not underestimate the threat posed by the far-right in Britain.

This is not to ignore the fact that there is also anti-semitism in the mainstream of our society, including of the press and, indeed, parts of the political left as well.

However, it can only help the cause of the fascists if groups like Socialist Organiser and the Jewish Socialists' Group get caught up in disputes.

Of course we value debate on all these issues, but when a short letter from one of our members is answered by a full-page condemnation of our organisation by you, we feel that the energy spent in this way, is not progressive.

Myra Woolfson, Jewish Socialists’ Group National Committee

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