Paul Goodman MP speaks for the Conservatives in Anti-Semitism debate

Highlights of Paul Goodman's contribution:

Anti-Semitism has a particular horror for Europeans: "All forms of hatred against people on the basis of their race, religion, sexuality or condition—indeed, all forms of hatred against people—are an unqualified and unmitigated evil. However, there is a special horror for those of us who are Europeans, in the widest sense of the word, in and about anti-Semitism. The reason for that is almost too obvious to state: the holocaust."

Violence against synagogues: "Many places of worship in Britain today have been subject to violence, including churches, mosques and gurdwaras. There have been atrocious incidents, but only one religious institution in Britain is under threat to such a degree that those who attend it are advised not to linger outside after worship: the synagogue."

Anti-Semitism is no longer just practicised by neo Nazis: "When I was growing up, anti-Semitism was largely confined, in the context of extremist ideology, to neo-Nazi groups, but that has changed. It is now also championed by some who claim—mistakenly, as my Muslim constituents would point out—to speak in the name of Islam."

There is a particular problem in universities: "As for universities, as the right hon. Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar) said, the menace of anti-Semitism is particularly acute in higher education. That menace does not express itself only in the visible activity of anti-Semitic groups, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir. Jewish students also report anti-Semitism on campus as a mood, an atmosphere and a mode of discourse. The right hon. Gentleman described it as a chill in the atmosphere. That leaks out especially, perhaps, from debates on the middle east, and can prevent Jewish students from enjoying a normal university experience. It can even deter young Jewish people from attending certain institutions altogether."

Extremist Muslim groups must be shunned in the same way that we shun the BNP: "We believe that it is wrong for institutions to participate in events that are hosted by anti-Semitic parties such as the British National party. It therefore follows that it is also wrong for them to participate in events hosted by other anti-Semitic organisations, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir. I make that point because it was reported this week that John Holmwood, a sociology professor at Birmingham university, which is an excellent institution, spoke at a local debate that was organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir. It should also be unacceptable for local authorities to support groups that are willing to engage actively with Hizb ut-Tahrir, such as the Cordoba Foundation; we understand that that is the case in Tower Hamlets. The Cordoba Foundation appears to be involved in Campusalam—a Government-sponsored programme to tackle extremism on campus—so we would welcome clarification from the Minister on that."

More in Hansard.

Comments

[Henry Mayhew - 'kipper]

If this is conservatism include me out.

[Common Sense]

Why, Henry? Is tackling anti-semitism something you object to? Paul Goodman is a principled and articulate spokesman for mainstream Conservatism. By counting yourself out you are merely emphasising your own marginality.

[Editor]

Please explain yourself Henry.

[Peter]

Anti-semitism is as old as Christianity.

Hitler gave it a bad name, but mainstream opinion in Europe (including Russia) until Hitler came along was generally prejudiced against Jews. Hitler was at the extreme of what was mainstream opinion and it is re-writing history to pretend it is all the fault of the Nazis.
England was less prejudiced against Jews because we had a tiny Jewish population before WW2 ( there was more prejudice against Roman Catholics because of the Irish connection). Indeed Disraeli's father converted to Christianity to mitigate the ever present anti-semitism.
However, Edward I expelled all Jews from England and Cromwell invited them back nearly 400 years later.
Russia and Poland have always had a strong anti-semitic history (with pogroms).

I agree that there is no justification for anti-semitism but one cannot erase history,
the teachings of the Church in our culture
which blamed Jews for Christ's death ( now
rescinded), or the ever existing problem
of minorities not integrating and appearing different. It is a natural instinct for animals (including humans) to keep the company of those they feel comfortable with, and reject those who are different. Why else do we have nation states/tribes/families ?
To be "unprejudiced" requires a rational thought process which unfortunately is not the case with the vast majority of the human race who tend to be emotional, illogical and irrational. It is the duty of leaders in all societies to make sure that the stresses caused by "difference" ( particularly immigration)are minimised . This means encouraging integration and preventing the "apartheid" situation of large immigrant communities in "ghettoes". This institutionalises their separateness and encourages prejudice.
Simply being hostile to anti-semitism and prejudice without addressing the causes will achieve nothing.

[Michael Rutherford]

I think those comments are very sensible. It's often ignored that it's not just neo-nazi groups that are anti-semitic. It's usually tolerated by socialists like Red Ken too.

[Henry Mayhew - 'kipper]

Sure, delighted. Thanks for the invitation.

I don't believe there is any such thing as new-found "anti-semitism".

What I do think there is, is a growing irritation in every country in the world at the failure of Israel and its propagandists to accept and apologise for the wrongs it inflicted 60 years ago and ever since on a defenceless population of poor peasants, 700,000 of whom were evicted from their homes through violence inflicted by immigrants to their land. They and their descendants are partly our responsibility as the former Mandate power and one of the community of nations.

For so-called conservatives to assist in the promulgation of the creed of standing up to non-existent, irrational hatred, rather than to deal with the real issue of the horror of 'Israeli' occupation is not something that I, or many people, respect. It is weak, unsustainable and will eventually look rather foolish. The role of the conservative should be to resolve problems at root, not buy into pressure group obfuscations derived from the techniques of Marxist dialecticism - one of the intellectual foundations of Zionism.

Many readers may disagree with this view, perhaps in outraged terms, but until the unfairness of the current arrangements in the Holy Land are resolved - initially through the very simple and powerful act of apology for past and current wrongs - we won't know, will we? That is why we must rely on our principles to guide us. Mine do not allow me to identify 'anti-semitism' as the problem.

You do know arabs are a semitic people and that many Israelis don't like them much, don't you. Are you interested in their 'anti-semitism'?

[David]

"This means encouraging integration and preventing the "apartheid" situation of large immigrant communities in "ghettoes". This institutionalises their separateness and encourages prejudice.
Simply being hostile to anti-semitism and prejudice without addressing the causes will achieve nothing."

Of course, German Jewry was considered to be the most assimilated anywhere in the world.

"the failure of Israel and its propagandists to accept and apologise for the wrongs it inflicted 60 years ago and ever since on a defenceless population of poor peasants, 700,000 of whom were evicted from their homes through violence inflicted by immigrants to their land"

Actually, Israel did apologise for a large number of things that occured during the War of Independence. Note that none of the Arab states have done so, nor have they apologised for trying to wipe Israel out then and on subsequent occasions.

I also suspect they wouldn't be very happy with your 700,000 figure, since the numbers they claim should be able to go to Israel is around 4 million.

Arab states have neither apologised to the Palestinians for keeping them in refugee camps for the 20 years they controlled the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

[Mr Angry]

Henry, you have failed in my view to demonstrate anything except for thinly veiled anti semitism and a one sided view of events in the middle east yourself.

I for one am pleased and proud that the Conservative party has not succumbed to the current left wing orthodoxy of Jew hatred and all out Israel bashing all in the cause of appeasing Islamic racism. I think that if, as you say, you do not wish to be a part of the strand of modern conservatism that does oppose jew hatred as unacceptable racism and does support the existance of Israel (the one tiny piece of the entire planet that is a Jewish state)then you would be better off in the BNP or Hizb Ut Tahrir where your views will be most welcome I'm sure.

[David]

"support the existance of Israel"

The one thing I find grimly amusing is those opposed to Israel who say all they want is a two state solution, but the go on to say that all Palestinians should be allowed to go and live in Israel, neatly ensuring that there will not, in fact, be a two state solution, but one Palestinian state only.

[Henry Mayhew - 'kipper]

Neither a one state, two state or three state 'solution' will work without a real solution David. Israel is in a pickle which can be resolved only by moving from Zionism to pluralism. The Gulf states will pay, I assure you.

[David]

In other words, you want Israel to give everything up. That's not compromise, that's total victory for one side.

Given the history of the Jews over the last 2000 years, do you really think they will give up, and indeed should give up, the one country in the world they are guaranteed to be able to turn to? I suspect their willingness to live out life as a permanent diaspora reached its breaking point when over a third of them were exterminated, and when those that survived the attempts to kill them were rounded up in displaced persons camps as they were refused entry as refugees to any country or killed by their 'neighbours' when they attempted to return to their homes.

[Joe Gibson]

After reading all of these comments I must say that we have reached a day and age in which you can no longer have an opinion without somehow being labelled a racist. Surely Henry is allowed to speak his opinion just as much as anyone?!

I'm not neccesarily saying I agree with what he says, but I do see that he is entitled to say what he likes, this is freedom of speech, after all?

The Israel/Palestine dispute is one that looks like it is very unlikely to be solved in any of our lifetimes because both sides have very valid arguments (I'm sure i'll be labelled anti-semetic for this)... That is, Palestine feel aggrieved that land they have owned for generations and centuries has been taken away from them, from, as they see it, the west. Whereas Israel feel that they are being unfairly discriminated against merely for wanting (and now having) some sort of cultural home.

There doesn't seem likely to be any sort of solution in the coming years, and there certianly won't be with the PC brigade labelling anyone with an alternative opinion a racist.

[F T P Topcliff]

As apologising for past wrongs to defenceless populations of poor perasants is so close to Henry Mayhew-Kipper's heart, perhaps we should start at the beginning. No doubt he also believes in official apologies to black people for slavery and the dispossession of the Welsh from London and the rest of Eastern Britain by English invaders. And why stop at apologies? Reparations would also do nicely thanks, calculated at contemporary rates of interest over the last 1500 in the case of us Welsh, naturally.

Or does Meyhew-Kipper single out only Jews for this special form of indignity?

Hey Henry, what's that on your armband?

[F T P Topcliff]

As apologising for past wrongs to defenceless populations of poor perasants is so close to Henry Mayhew-Kipper's heart, perhaps we should start at the beginning. No doubt he also believes in official apologies to black people for slavery and the dispossession of the Welsh from London and the rest of Eastern Britain by English invaders. And why stop at apologies? Reparations would also do nicely thanks, calculated at contemporary rates of interest over the last 1500 in the case of us Welsh, naturally.

Or does Meyhew-Kipper single out only Jews for this special form of indignity?

Hey Henry, what's that on your armband?

[Jona]

I think Paul Goodman needs stop throwing stones in glass houses when he criticises organisations for giving certain groups a platform.

He says that Anis Al-tikriti of the Cordoba Foundation is a front for the muslim brotherhood and doesn't think people should share a stage with them as it is the same as if they were doing so with the BNP.

He should probably realise that his Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve, who I assume he knows is his senior, shared a platform with the very same Anis Al-Tikriti in 2006!!

Whoops!

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