Tonight it's all feeling a bit much. So many friends to thank, people who had my back through thick and thin, the absolute joy of the UK Jewish community and getting to know you argumentative lovely lot. I just saw racism and had to act. 1/11
I saw racism and I fought it, like normal, or so I thought.
For me It was simple. Labour was being lead by an antisemite and that was just unacceptable. I'm not going to apologise for the fact I stood with those who saw this coming in the left. 2/11
The reason this happened wasn't an accident. For me i just couldn't believe what I saw, for older hands I learned how and why a supposed progressive anti-racist party could become a fertile ground for abhorrent racism. 3/11
I admit I was naive. I did however put my heart and soul into fighting it. I mean I was no more going to accept antisemitism than I have ever accepted any racism. What shocks me is how terribly hard that was, and still is in the LABOUR PARTY. 4/11
I'm still not sure I will ever get over that. I'm also not sure I should. The friends I've stood with know its a long way from over. The racism towards the Jewish community is still absolutely endemic in the party. 5/11
What I have learned is that now it can't be ignored. I have so much pride in everyone that made that a reality. That the UK public were asked to vote over antisemitism. The pride of have over that is enormous. 6/11
Pride in everyone that spoke out, even those that don't speak to me anymore.
My heart is bursting for some of the bravest people I've ever met.
Its been the biggest privilege of my life to fight with some truly inspirational people.
Together we made antisemitism matter..7/11
So after this report it's published, even if its language is dry as a husk, we know the fact this investigation happened meant the party is antisemitic.
People who lived it know the party is antisemitic.
I know the party is antisemitic. 8/11
We don't change this by a quick fix, this doesn't change by a shiny new leader if they can't accept its a party that is antisemitic.
It's an offence to the community labour traumatised to think this just needs window dressing. 9/11
Imagine after the EHRC investigated the MET if you advocated for window dressing? It just wouldn't have happened. Not in the progressive left.
My anger will be for those who now, even now, think this will be acceptable for the Jewish community. 10/11
Take it seriously. This happened in labour for a reason. The same reason the MET got investigated.
This happened because of structural hostility to Jews within the left.
Its not over, don't back down yet.
We've all come too far and fought too hard to back down now.
*ends*
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