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12 May, 11 tweets, 5 min read
Conflict rages in Israel and antisemitism rises in the UK. It happens every time with wearying predictability. Here's a thread of top tips for people who want to support Palestinians in a non-antisemitic way:
Don't blame British Jews for what the Israeli government does. Don't demand that British Jews condemn the Israeli government. Don't deliberately take your Palestinian flags and banners to wave at Jews. It's antisemitic.
Be precise in your language. If you say "Jews", you mean all Jews around the world. If you say "Zionists", you mean everyone who thinks Israel should exist. If you say "Israelis", you mean all Israelis. How about "the Israeli government/army"?
Educate yourself about antisemitism so you know how to recognise and avoid it. This is @CST_UK's short explainer
What is Zionism anyway, and what does anti-Zionism have to do with antisemitism? Watch @supergutman explain the difference
This is @yadvashem's short explanation of how anti-Zionism can be antisemitic
Israel is not Nazi Germany. Israel is not Nazi Germany. Israel is not Nazi Germany. How many times do I have to say it? It's not a clever or witty comparison, it's a vile antisemitic insult designed to hurt Jews. Don't do it.
(Yes, that is a protestor standing on a Police car in central London yesterday while holding a placard saying "Israel are Nazi fuck you". No, I don't know if they were arrested 🤷‍♂️)
Check your facts and avoid conspiracy theories! Israel has no oil. The Rothschilds are not behind everything. This conflict is not a satanic plan to prepare for the apocalypse. Yes, this post did get nearly half a million likes 😬
Do you want to know why antisemites keep going on about the Rothschilds? Here's another video from @supergutman
Finally, try to remember: when conflict rages in Israel, antisemitism rises in the UK. British Jews aren't to blame, and they probably have friends or family in bomb shelters in Israel. Their feelings are genuine and legitimate and your words can affect them for better or worse.

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More from @daverich1

Dave Rich Profile picture
26 Feb
I've spent two weeks waiting to see if any academics will speak out publicly about David Miller's antisemitic conspiracy theories and his targeting of Jewish students. Finally they have spoken... in his defence. This is the list of shame docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…
The letter itself is a masterpiece of euphemism, obfuscation and untruths. Miller was not "approached to provide a statement on Israel-Palestine". He gave a speech at a meeting in which he identified the Jewish Society at his own university as an enemy & a bunch of racists
Miller followed up that speech with another statement claiming that Jewish students at Bristol University who have complained about him are "directed by the State of Israel". This is antisemitism.
Read 6 tweets
Dave Rich Profile picture
18 Feb
This thread is impressive in the way it gets so much wrong in so few tweets. There is no contradiction between having good security to protect Jews *and* reaching out to educate, support & build alliances to reduce antisemitism. Neither approach is exclusive to right or left.
Many Jewish community establishment orgs & leaders spend huge amounts of time & effort supporting other minorities in their struggles. The Board of Deputies' Uyghur campaign. CST's SAFE programme. Support for the Markaz in Golders Green. There are loads of examples over decades.
Meanwhile the radical left is proud of its tradition of beating up fascists. Maybe they got it wrong and should have tried working with them to raise their consciousness instead? Or maybe it is only certain types of antisemites that get this particular free pass.
Read 7 tweets
Dave Rich Profile picture
7 Jan
What responsibility does @guardian have to ensure the letters they publish are accurate? Because today they have published a letter about @TheIHRA definition of antisemitism that includes a straightforward lie. theguardian.com/news/2021/jan/…
It is not true that "the majority" of examples in the IHRA definition "do not refer to Jews as such". In fact 9 of the 11 examples refer to Jews. It is simply dishonest to suggest otherwise.
It is true that some of these examples also mention Israel, and for good reason. If the signatories of this letter want to argue that (for example) it is not antisemitic to use the blood libel to characterise Israel or Israelis, be my guest. You won't get very far.
Read 4 tweets
Dave Rich Profile picture
5 Jan
This thread is a ruthless dismemberment of a terrible @ObserverUK article about Covid vaccines in Israel & the Palestinian territories. It's also a case study of when inaccurate anti-Israel commentary *might* be antisemitic according to @TheIHRA definition of antisemitism /1
The most contentious line in @TheIHRA definition is the one that says it "could" be antisemitic to apply to Israel "double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation". Is that what this article is? holocaustremembrance.com/resources/work… /2
On the one hand, and as the thread by @ShMMor explains, the article implies expectations of Israel that are not expected or - or at least, met by - most other democratic nations; and it does so to make Israel look worse than it is /3
Read 8 tweets
Dave Rich Profile picture
17 Nov 20
There are three reasons why Corbyn's statement today does not change his disgraceful response to the EHRC report:
1. Saying "concerns about antisemitism are neither "exaggerated" nor "overstated"" does not contradict his original claim that "the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons". They are different claims.
2. Saying "I fully support Keir Starmer’s decision to accept all the EHRC recommendations in full" does not contradict his original statement that " I do not accept all of its findings". The report's findings and recommendations are different things.
Read 6 tweets
Dave Rich Profile picture
11 Nov 20
The BBC podcast "Intrigue: Mayday" on White Helmets co-founder James Le Mesurier really is interesting. Especially if you have a niche interest in antisemitism, conspiracy theories and the Labour Party /1 bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04…
Episode 4 opens with a recording of Holocaust denier Nicholas Kollerstrom giving a speech at the Keep Talking conspiracy group exposed in this @CST_UK & @hopenothate report cst.org.uk/data/file/6/c/… /2
A regular at Keep Talking was Vanessa Beeley, a prominent purveyor of conspiracy theories about the White Helmets. According to this episode she was radicalised by pro-Palestinian activism and a visit to Gaza /3 bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0…
Read 10 tweets

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