Reclaiming the fight against antisemitism
Challenging the conflation of Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism
International Jewish Collective for Justice in Palestine (IJCJP)
On 23rd October IJCJP, an international collective of Jews from fifteen countries across the globe who stand firm with the Palestinian movement for justice, organised a webinar “Reclaiming the Fight against Antisemitism: Challenging the conflation of Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism“.
It was advertised in advance:
Featuring Antony Lerman, author of the recent and critically important new book Whatever Happened to Antisemitism? Redefinition and the Myth of the ‘Collective Jew’. He will address Understanding antisemitism today: redefinition and why it matters with participants from IJCJP, who will discuss how the current definition of antisemitism have impacted their work for justice and how they are responding in their different contexts.
Here is the video of that webinar (be patient! it takes about 15 seconds to start):
Mission statement
International Jewish Collective for Justice in Palestine
We are Jews from diverse countries, part of local, national, international networks and organizations. We are connected by our involvement in the struggle for Palestinian rights, and by our determination to work for justice. We oppose Zionism and all forms of racism.
We came together to share our experiences of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. Although it claims to protect Jews, the IHRA Working Definition is in fact being used to shield Israel from valid political challenge, silence Palestinians, and suppress any mention of Palestinian rights. The IHRA’s weaponization of antisemitism sets a dangerous precedent for limiting speech on many issues.
We take this as our immediate priority, but it is only a starting point for our collective commitment to build a more just world.
Member groups:
Jewish Voice for Peace (USA)
Jews Say No! (USA)
Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Boycott From Within (Israeli Citizens for BDS)
South African Jews for a Free Palestine
Jewish Voice for Labour (UK)
Jewish Network for Palestine (UK)
Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East (Germany)
Alternative Jewish Voices (New Zealand)
Jewish Call for Peace (Luxembourg)
Jews Against the Occupation (Australia)
French Jewish Peace Union
Another Jewish Voice (Belgium)
Jewish Voice for Just Peace – Ireland
Thankyou for this initiative. Just what is required… It feels long overdue that Jewish organisations get together to speak out against what Israel is doing in our name.
While all Jews are not responsible for the actions of the Israeli State and its supporters, they insist they act legitimately on behalf of all Jews.
Unless we Jews speak up, AS JEWS, to voice our opposition to Palestinian persecution and Israels colonial project, the wider world will continue to only hear what Israel says and continue to build a false and destructive narrative of Jewish existence and strengthen antisemitism against us.
So thankyou again for bringing these groups together and finding a common voice.✊️
You seem to have provided what’s needed, but without an easy means to share it beyond email. An opportunity for individuals to add our signatures also seems germane.
It’s a statement from the Jewish groups in the collective not a statement for general signing. Please do share it widely.
Having grown up in Israel (military service included), the idea of ‘Jewish solidarity’ used to be anathema to me. (I trust JVL associates would understand why…).
This situation has changed in recent years, with the advent of the IHRA definition and the anti “NEW Antisemitism” campaign. Paradoxically, it reminded me “what it means to be a Jew”. My parents survived the holocaust in Eastern Europe, and the current situation in Palestine is too close for comfort.
I now realise the urgent need for us like-minded Jews across the globe to work in tandem.
My heartfelt solidarity with JVL and the other above listed groups.
Fury at Jewish Chronicle headline!
https://www.thejc.com/news/news/fury-as-ken-livingstone-unveils-palestine-plaque-in-park-4MenvSUZfe0V4RKaBabTHl
I came across the above JC article – and headline – recently, and so I did a search on their website re >furyoutrage<.
Oh right, but people who express their anger about what the Israeli state are doing to the Palestinians are anti-semites, or in the case of Jewish people, self-hating Jews. It's all so coarse and vulgar and primitive and oh-SO transparent it's hard to believe that anyone actually swallows it all.
Hmm, but then one can't help wondering if many of those who read the Jewish Chronicle DO see this kind of sewer journalism for what it is, but they derive pleasure and amusement from it all.
The article ends – ironically – with the following:
Gladstone Park is also home to a Grade II-listed sculpture created by a former Jewish prisoner of war, Kilburn-based artist Fred Kormis. The sculpture commemorates concentration camp internees and was listed in 2016.
PS And needless to say, most of the fury and outrage in the JC and it's ilk churn out is fake and fraudulent.
PPS: And I wonder who stole the Nakba plaque! Yet MORE amusement for those who find such things amusing.
Climate protesters are leading the way, shock tactics work and generate publicity
What’s the best riposte to vexatious anti semitism claims, find it, stick to it and repeat ad nauseum