OBSESSED Labour

The ‘Palestine’ obsession at the Labour Party conference

It is Monday night, 23rd September. It has been a long day. Today was my second day at the 2019 Labour Party conference in Brighton. On the first day I had spent my time looking at what was taking place outside of the  secure conference area.  Today I went inside. The weather outside was cold and wet, so by the time I arrived the rain-free … Continue reading The ‘Palestine’ obsession at the Labour Party conference

Labour Conference 2019 - antisemitism

The conference that signals the end of the Labour Party

It is the end of September and Brighton are once again hosting a Labour Party conference. I have been to a conference once before, two years ago and had endured a pretty uncomfortable experience. The conference in 2017 was the moment that I realised the problem of antisemitism in the party was spreading to the mainstream and that it would continue to do so for … Continue reading The conference that signals the end of the Labour Party

CONFERENCE ANTISEMITISM

Two days before conference, JVL antisemitism at Jackie Walker event

This weekend the Labour Party Conference opens again in Brighton. I was there in 2017 the last time it was held in the town, and the level of antisemitism witnessed at the event led to threats to ban the party from holding future conferences there unless it tackles antisemitism. I find it difficult to believe how anyone left sane on this planet actually believes Labour … Continue reading Two days before conference, JVL antisemitism at Jackie Walker event

divided cloth

Antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the principle of the divided cloth

Before I talk of a divided cloth, let me address the antisemitic events. Last September I was turned away at the door of a fringe event at the Labour conference because I was a ‘known Zionist’. Last summer as I sat to eat a meal with my wife and eleven-year-old son during a day out at the PalestineExpo I was approached by security and asked … Continue reading Antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the principle of the divided cloth

Miko Peled at the Labour Party Conference

Facing raw antisemitism at the Labour Party Conference 2017

I have spent all week in Brighton, at the 2017 Labour Party Conference. This was my first visit to the conference. As someone who dislikes the ideological straitjacket of political affiliation, it will probably be my last. From the suffocating presence of ‘Palestinian solidarity’ to an obvious tolerance for rabid antisemites, this week was deeply unsettling. There were times where the atmosphere was scary. How … Continue reading Facing raw antisemitism at the Labour Party Conference 2017