The complexity is that Israel is one of the few nation states that is primarily defined, and justified, on the grounds of a specific religious belief.

Unlike say with Christianity or Islam, both of which have a universalist doctrine, Judaism has a very specific notion of what the 'homeland' is and why Jews should only live there.

So to criticise Israel will always be tied up with issues around Jewishness. Where I struggle is the wider notion of any criticism of Jewish people being automatically anti-semitic. And good example recently was Len McCluskey speaking out against Peter Mandleson and being accused of anti-semitism around it. Absolutely ludicrous.

But the question of overt Israeli influence over Western politics cannot be shied away from. We currently have a home secretary who had met with the Israelis without going through the usual protocols.

[Link]

It was Michael Scheuer who opened my ears to the influence in these UC Congressional hearings. This is a man who was a senior CIA officer. Top of the tree stuff. Absolutely illuminating....

[Link]

Edited by Matov (30 Oct 2020 4.48pm)

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Politics of the madhouse.

Obviously the HOL will be thrilled with Jeremy Corbyn's suspension being lifted today. (satire).

Had to eat a bit of humble pie, the politics of reality.

I went 'green' at the last election and now it feels the right thing.

So a big split seemingly averted.

Not a Starmer fan, the House of Lords provide better opposition than he does.

Wasn’t there some Israeli connection the last time that happened?

The original one was far more believable.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

The BBS politics board will be having a massive mutual w@nking session on this news. Aisle 5 will be out of tissues.

For me, happy to see the wedge being further driven into the ever widening split of the PLP. I doubt any of the heads in the trough MP's who claim to support Corbyn will actually give up the whip and start a new party as it would be like turkeys voting for Xmas in four years time and may even lead to recall in some cases.

I enjoy seeing raving lunatics like Chris Williamson getting plenty of coverage. More dangerous are the Burgon types who will just lie in the open and spout racist filth when they think they are in a safe racist space.

*Gentle reminder, if you reject the EHRC report in any way you are not welcome in the Labour party and should leave. You are a racist and part of the problem.

Now the Muslim Labour groups are having their turn to expose their issues. I think all parties should be better at purging racism including the Conservatives.

It's not OK to do the whataboutery excuse of " don't chastise us, we are no worse than them "

Hopefully the Labour party will continue to self destruct both inside and outside Westminster

Responsibility Deficit Disorder is a medical condition. Symptoms include inability to be corrected when wrong, false sense of superiority, desire to share personal info no else cares about, general hubris. It's a medical issue rather than pure arrogance.

The decision to reinstate was taking by the NEC I guess the question is how many of them are Corbyn supporters.

For that reason Starmer and the EHRC want an independent panel which he says will happen next year. My guess is he will leave Corbyn alone until then and hope that the new panel will do the deed.

One more point

A very foolish decision of Starmer to suspend Corbyn.

None of this was at all necessary.

With Starmer it is a case of 'watch your back'.

And that's what the voters will think too.

Only foolish if he does not see it through to the logical conclusion. This is the issue for Starmer. Gains nothing if this is just left to stand as it is.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

So Corbyns suspension is lifted but the whip is still being denied to him?

LOL. Real soap opera s***.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.