AIBU to say the Green Party has an antisemitism problem?

[Aislyn]

I said this in a conversation and got an interesting reaction.

I’m basing it on repeated examples of Green Party candidates and members sharing conspiracy theories about zionists, downplaying antisemitism, or even justifying attacks on Israeli civilians. That goes way beyond normal criticism of Israel.

I’m not saying every supporter is antisemitic, but there does seem to be a pattern with some of their people, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to call that out. Notably, many of the people who have come out with these views are still party members.

A friend said I was smearing the party and that this is just pro-Palestinian views being misrepresented.

Am I being unreasonable to call it an antisemitism problem?

Cynically, I wonder if he is afraid of losing his voter base if he expels Anti-Semites. I think the problem runs deep within the party and it's supporters (given the lack of a call from within the party)

Interesting. Can't imagine what could be considered offensive in my post? It said all racists are as bad as each other, which I would have thought would be a fairly benign statement... I very much wonder who's doing the moderating, would love an explanation?!

Interesting articles on the issue - the first shows how The Green Party have investigated complaints and have kicked out members for antisemitism: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7228qnz555o#:~:text=In%20a%20statement%2C%20the%20party,about%20anti%2DJewish%20racism%22.

The second, more recent article, again shows the steps that they have taken, and that while out of the 4500 candidates they field there have been some individuals with questionable views, they do kick people for antisemitism. They also clarify that while they don’t allow antisemitism in the party, criticism or Israel and Zionism is not antisemitic.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg4g2pqp29o

There have been tons of Islamophobic comments from MPs, particularly in the Conservative Party, but to say they are all Islamophobic would be disingenuous. Interestingly a lot of the Conservatives that have made Islamophobic comments have not been kicked out of the party!

Every party has candidates with horrible views, politics seems to attract such people, but how a party deals with it shows if it is party wide and acceptable. In the case of The Greens they have shown they are willing to take action when someone is antisemitic as opposed to anti Zionist or anti Israel.

Personally I can differentiate between antisemitism and speaking out against the policies of the current Israeli government. And I think the Green Party's official line is that it supports the latter.
BUT Israel and it's apologists constantly conflate the two, as it serves their interests by shutting the conversation down.

Pick one, you can't be both.

That article was from over a year ago. They have candidates who have made antisemitic comments standing in the upcoming elections and AFIAK none of them have been suspended.

I am also not sure why your post was deleted, having read it.

His brand new voter base. The Lib Dems went along with ideological austerity for a chance at power. The Green Party will accept racism in its candidates for the same it would appear.

who are you to tell me what I can or can't be?

Have you read the above links, and seen that the comments are widely regarded as Anti-Semitic? Do you have any comment on those?

I assume it was reported. I guess it made somebody uncomfortable. Don't know why the moderator agreed though...

You wouldn't have 80% of Jewish people in your house because you think they're the same as Nazis. Lovely.

It's not cynical, it's obvious. The only thing that unites the party is antisemitism.

It is so very scary that this is happening. Echos of 1930s Germany, where Anti-Semitism becomes mainstream. History has also taught us that bigotry that starts with Jews doesn't end with Jews either.

Gosh this got busy! Sadly I think some posters missed the questions I asked them but hey ho.

I came back thinking that it would be really helpful to get some clear definitions of key terms and then it’s more possible to consider people’s thoughts on where the line is between ‘pro Palestinian’ and anti semitism.

@1dayatatime obviously had a similar thought - I thought your dictionary definition of Zionism sounded reasonable and accords with my previous understanding.

Definitions:

Zionism - establishment and protection of a Jewish homeland and today focuses on supporting the continued existence of the state of Israel.

Pro-Palestine - … thoughts?

Now, what do people mean when they say they are ‘pro-Palestine’? How far does that go? Who exactly do they support? What do they want to support them to do?

I’ve heard a whole range of views, from ‘stop the bombing’ to this Green candidate who says she refuses to deal with Israelis and Zionists and says that Jews should be made to vacate Israel.

That seems racist and anti semitic. But both views would be described as Pro-Palestine. We need much more clarity from pro Palestine supporters as to the limits to their support. What do they want to happen with Hamas for example?

https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/green-party-faces-further-questions-about-antisemitism-and-extremism-from-candidates/amp/

It seems to be.

They have gone so far from being a party for environment loving hippies.

Can you explain exactly what you mean by being an ‘anti Zionist’.

I think that’s where the confusion may lie.

e: quotes deleted comment

It doesn't really matter. They constantly replace 'Jews' with 'Zionists' anyway. As long as you write 'Zionists' you can repeat the most classic antisemitic stereotypes and it's all fine.

Just the latest flavour of 'it's not Judenhass, it's antisemitism!'

Unfortunately, there were several attempts to derail the thread and several comments that were deleted for being Anti-Semitic, so legitimate debate, like yours, was a bit lost.

Who are you to ask me that?

The second was very recent and he says he is not commenting on cases currently going through the disciplinary process, which to me says people who said questionable things are not slipping through the cracks. He seems to be tackling it head on!