Anti Zionism is a type of Virtue signalling which can easily topple over into old fashioned, holocaust denying, Protocols of the Elders of Zion, type Anti Semitism. Virtue Signalling is 'cheap talk' which needn't necessarily be a bad thing. Competitive Virtue Signalling however is not just a waste of resources, it is an inutile type of Zahavi handicap.
Why vote for a politician who spends a lot of his time pretending what really matters is some small country a long way away which hasn't done us any harm? On the other hand, at present, there is a perception that educated elites- amongst whom the most glittering intellects are often Jewish- are determined to destroy the security and prosperity of the majority of people so as to indulge in some fantasy of a 'Rules Based' World Order.
In this context, the sad truth is, Jeremy Corbyn does gain by being smeared as an anti-Semite when he is clearly no such thing. Consider his attendance of the 'Jewdas' seder last week. He might as well have attended the Easter Service of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It's kind of cool that he did it. It sends the signal that he is the amiable kind of Loony Leftists while burnishing his credentials with actual bigots.
Jewdas itself is a splendid organisation. It demonstrates not just the utter bankruptcy of Left Zionism, but also the impossibility of any political accommodation between political Islam and the traditionally anti Zionist ultra orthodox. Why? It advertises itself as an occasion for a piss up. Its eschatological horizon is a thumping great hangover from having drunk too much Sangria on the 'Birthwrong' junket to Spain which is supposed to compete with Israel's 'Birthright' holidays for diaspora teens. Clearly this is an exercise in nostalgia for the early Seventies- when the English working class finally abandoned Margate for Marbella so as fill the pockets of Franco's Spain and pave the way for socially atomised Dagenham Man to blindly embrace Thatcherism.
I suppose the next step for Jewdas is to rediscover the delights of the prawn cocktail (a kosher version has available since 2016) and disco balls and bell bottom trousers and skateboards. Yup, Corbyn on a skateboard. That's going to get Labour elected for sure.
Of course, the real problem is not Jewdas. It is a vicious sort of anti-Semitism which wants ordinary Jews in Europe to feel increasingly unsafe and unwelcome. Why? Jews have traditionally supported and upheld Liberal institutions and done their best to ensure that they operate transparently rather than in a corrupt manner. As such, the Jewish oligarch is no threat- rather he is a possible bulwark of the system. It is the Jewish philanthropist, like Soros, who seeks to create genuinely Liberal, fit for purpose, channels and institutions who shows the cloven hoof. But it is the ordinary Jews- particularly the elderly or the kids- who get attacked on the streets. Whole families have to think of upping sticks and moving to Israel. Why? One reason is that the pool of potential marriage partners would be much higher there. A Jewdas junket may attract 30 tossers of various descriptions. A Birthright trip opens up exponentially more possibilities. India lost its Jewish population not because of persecution but because smart boys and girls were emigrating. If you didn't emigrate your descendants would be inbred nitwits.
It is true that in Brexit Britain, Labour benefits from the unjust charge of Anti-Semitism which however does act as a prophylactic against a return to mindless Millibandism. Still, the fact remains that the Virtue Signalling Anti Zionists within its ranks are also utterly shite at identifying the real problems faced by the communities they hope to represent.
I suppose Corbyn is doing the right thing by continuing to appear inept at addressing the canard that his party has somehow, suddenly, morphed into that 'Gestapo' which Churchill accused Atlee of hoping to lead into Government. Churchill's drunken slur hurt his party at the Polls. Similarly, liberals fulmining at Corbyn helps him- for the moment.
However, not binning the Virtue signalling blathershites hurts Labour long run. The Tories are upping their game. The local associations feel empowered. Their activists are knocking on more doors- even mine. Labour too has seen a dramatic improvement in morale amongst its rank and file. But they need to be focusing on local issues. Ranting about the Jews is a mark of incompetence. Leave it to actual Jews- like the good folks at Jewdas- or Eeyores of Jewish origin, like Will Self.
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