AIBU to think that Diane Abbott needs to go.

[SayingwhatIreallythink]

Jewish Londoners are terrified at the moment, yet she feels free to tweet this. https://x.com/hackneyabbott/status/1716729429710221523?s=46&t=05yGEdd9Da70jO24KELKog

Is the tube driver any different form the virtue signalling of silly big comp[anies jumping on particular band wagons which not all their shareholders or customers might support?

Is the tube driver any different form the virtue signalling of silly big comp[anies jumping on particular band wagons which not all their shareholders or customers might support?
I think so.
I can't stand companies jumping on bandwagons and preaching at their customers with the latest issue, but I think it's different to the tube driver.

I'd see the tube driver's actions as any other employee making political statement in the workplace. I wouldn't want to hear a bus driver's stance on Brexit at random, nor would I want my GP surgery to announce "Mrs Blogs to room 2 please. Let's stand with Israel".

I don’t want to hear anybody’s views on anything when I’m shopping or using a company’s services, I simply want them to focus on what their actual business is and do a good job.

The difference with a tube driver and supermarket tannoy is anyone feeling unsafe on a tube is surrounded by people and totally unable to leave.

Palestine and it's people's deserve to be free... Free from Hamas! He had every right to say what he wanted to say. That's freedom of expression. However it doesn't mean he or anyone is immune to the consequences of free speech. If that's what he believes and is willing to be fired for it - then good for him. Not exactly my belief but if we are too scared to say what's on our mind, we will never have a chance to listen, learn and maybe even educate? It's a complicated situation that very few of us can truly understand. We can read all the books but unless we have lived it, our opinions are simply just that. I sort of respect Diane Abbot because she says what she wants to say regardless of how ridiculous she might look. Too many MPs just say carefully curated things to carry favor but don't believe a word of what they say.

I am willing to bet my first born that Diane Abbott has achieved more, and done more good, than anyone on this thread.

When people starting bring Corbyn into it and calling him a "Terrorist hugger" to make it sound like supports terrorism, then you know they have no argument what so ever.

Her comment was pretty true. She wasn't saying it herself. She was NOT being antisemitic in any shape or form. But people who have fallen for all the bullshit from the right over the last five years are screaming about how awful it is of her. FFS.

You can be against Hamas, not support the current Israeli government, be a supporter of Israel, and want to see a Palestinian state all at the same time.

Quite. This is an entirely standard Israeli civilian position! I know a fair number of centre-left Israeli colleagues, and that pretty much represents their views.

Just as a lot of British people were uncomfortable with the War on Terror without being anti-British or pro-Al Qaeda.

This is the most sensible comment on this thread so far....it's not just what she said, it's the context. She is comparing the invasion of Ukraine, unprovoked by Russia (yes, I do realise there's a lot behind that statement) to that of Palestine. Hamas murdered Israelis and beheaded babies two weeks ago in the name of freeing Palestine. Palestinians elected Hamas...their modus operandi is the destruction of Israel and the murder of all Jews. FFS!! This comment is complete idiocy in the current climate.

Because they vote for her. With their free choice and free will. They are not forced to do so. They believe she is the best candidate for them.

💯 % right that concerns for the welfare of palestinians should be aired.
To me it is is one sided and hideous.

Palestine elected Hamas 17 years ago.

Israel funded Hammas.

Well, that's a whole other discussion.

But I am fed up of people bleating on as about "well, Palestinians elected Hamas" as if they deserve what is happening to them. I don't think people realise it's been 17 years since there was an election there.

I quite agree with you but my point was more about the ignorance of Diane Abbott likening the situation in Ukraine with Palestine, and by virtue, Israel with Russia. Anti semitism is on the rise in the UK in light of the current circumstances and this language is inflammatory and, frankly, stupid.

I agree with you, the last line in particular

And attacks on Palestinians is up too.

I would say, if the driver saying Free Palestine has been suspended, but the same didn't happen to a driver saying something in support of Ukraine wasn't, then it shows unfair work conditions which should be highlighted. Your workplace isn't the place for public displays of anything political.

Jew hater, who knew.

Troubled woman, isn’t she.

I don’t understand her analogy with Ukraine; Ukraine hasn’t spent the past few decades constantly firing rockets at Russia and Ukraine’s stated aim is not to eliminate Russia and murder all Russians as is the case with Hamas, the representatives of Palestinians.

I am interested in those who say marching to support Free Palestine isn’t anti semitic. Why is there no equivalent visible support for the Kurds or the Uighurs? It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that it’s because their enemy is not Israel.

Hamas may have support but they were elected 18 years ago and haven't held an election since. 50% of the population of Gaza are under 18. The vast majority of citizens never voted for them or anyone else.

Saying that, they're the only group willing to do something to change the abhorrent conditions they live in under Israeli occupation, so I can see why they would support them. It's quite likely they don't even know the scale of the atrocities committed in their names.

It's been a tragedy waiting to happen for decades, as horrifying as Hamas' attacks are, the body count pales into insignificance given how many Palestinians have been murdered by the IDF.

@justteanbiscuits As she’s no longer Labour that’s a difficult call. Plus she’s not selected by her constituents. They would possibly vote for a Labour hamster if it was chosen but as we don’t have primaries, most people get no choice of candidate put up by a party. There’s always recall. On a wider point, better MPs are needed!

I marched last weekend in support of Palestine. There was a huge contingent of Orthodox Jews marching alongside us who had signs saying 'not in our name'. I assume you believe them to be anti-semitic too?

Perhaps if Palestinians stopped trying to actively kill Israelis and accepted the two state solution that they have repeatedly been offered the body count might drop.

Every poll continues to show majority support for Hamas.

There are a number of ultra orthodox Jewish groups who are anti Zionist.

Attacks on Palestinians is up? Where is the evidence of this? I'm asking a genuine question because I have seen no such reporting.

And to your point, no, a tube driver should have no platform to air their political views, so it seems you agree that he should have been disciplined and it was a stupid thing to do.

I don’t want to rehash the whole issue but really am genuinely interested in why the plight of the Palestinians attracts SO much attention compared to that of other oppressed people.