The sacking of @RLong_Bailey for RTing an article that was clearly not antisemitic is deplorable and unjustifiable. It serves only to embolden relentless efforts to intimidate, silence and delegitimise the left's voice on twitter. BUT...

In my view the claim that Israel was somehow connected to or responsible for the killing of George Floyd is not only unsubstantiated but also reflects an instinct among some on the left to associate all of the world's atrocities with Israel...

Such associations are often wrong (both morally and factually) and entirely self defeating. As if there aren't enough actual, proven examples of atrocities carried out by the Israeli state on the Palestinian people...

As if the Israeli regime is not directly supported by the US and UK (and indirectly by many of its Arab neighbours), and its atrocities tolerated if not encouraged. We need to focus on the reality of Israeli oppression and brutality, and its links to Anglo-American imperialism...

And resist straying into unproven waters, causing legitimate offence and handing weapons to those seeking to undermine and discredit the movement for Palestinian justice.